The crab with the delicious claws is at Jumbo Seafood

If there is one legendary dish that is at the heart of Singapore’s rich food heritage and reigns supreme, it must be chili crab. And there is no place that better epitomizes this cultural icon than Jumbo Seafood.

Several years ago, when I visited Singapore for the first time, a couple of friends who had either made this Lion City their home or were regular visitors insisted that I try the city’s famed chili crab. However, either they were not aware of this famous restaurant themselves or feigning ignorance, I was dragged off to one of the open food courts, its name, and location forgotten with time. I still remember enjoying that messy dining experience.

A decade later, when I went back to the island city to spend time with my girlfriend last year, all I did was pester her so we could dine on chili crab, at an open food court. For a few days, she tried hard to explain that if it was chili crab, then it could be only one restaurant – Jumbo Seafood. Anything else was just not worth our time, or money.

An iconic restaurant with stunning views

It was in 1987 that Jumbo Seafood opened its door to welcome guests to its first restaurant in East Coast Seafood Centre, overlooking the picturesque shores on the south-eastern coast of Singapore. Since opening their flagship restaurant, their restaurants have spread throughout the city and mainland China. They also have several franchisees across Asia.

Finally, after a bit of gentle persuasion, I paid heed to the wise words of the locals. We promptly booked ourselves a table for two at this famed restaurant at East Coast Seafood Center that very evening.

Today, Jumbo Seafood is renowned for its delectable crab dishes that have tantalized taste buds for decades. Not too surprisingly, it has made it to the list of 150 Most Legendary Restaurants in the World, and, no guesses, its chili crab has been cited as an “iconic dish”.

Taking inspiration from Singapore’s rich multicultural culinary history, they have managed to combine a variety of traditional Southeast Asian spices to create flavors that offer a seafood experience that is uniquely ‘Singapore-style’.

Whether it is a romantic date night or an outing with the family, the atmosphere at their flagship restaurant, with its scenic views of the sea ahead and the stars above, is sure to set the tone for the perfect dinner.

The chili crab is the star of the show.

Everyone comes to Jumbo to try their legendary chili crab. Everything else comes after. At least for most guests.

You can order either the Dungeness, Mud, or Alaskan crab. We chose the favorite – a whole succulent mud crab smothered in a sweet and spicy chili sauce that made for a messy, yet irresistible dining experience. Expertly cracked before it is served at your table, take your time as you work your way to the succulent meat within the shell. As you take your first bite, what instantly hits you is the explosion of flavors – a heady of sweet and spicy. I was told the sweetness comes from the sugar and tomato ketchup, while the spiciness is from their unique chili paste.

While the chili crab, with its interplay between sweetness and spiciness, did make for a tantalizing experience, the highlight of my dining experience was the black pepper crab. And boy, did it pack a punch! I had to instantly go for the tissues to wipe the sweat off my bald pate.

For those who, like me, prefer a bit of heat, then the black pepper crab is your go-to dish when you visit. It struck the right balance between the bold and spicy heat of the black pepper that was expertly married with an assortment of secret ingredients to all come together to create a dish so bold that it leaves you craving for another fiery kick.

This is precisely what I was back in Singapore, and Jumbo Seafood, a few months ago. We got down to ordering just the black pepper crab with a few other side dishes. They were relished to the last claw.

It is also worthwhile remembering that eating crabs has never been a refined affair. You need to immerse yourself in this unique dining experience, hands-on. And while they provide you with plastic gloves, it just does not seem right. My advice: forget all that you have been taught at the ‘The Advanced School of Fine Dining & Etiquette’, lose those disposable gloves and aprons that are kindly provided for by the restaurant, and dive into those lip-smacking delicious crabs with your bare hands. Simple.

There is plenty more on the menu beyond crabs

While you savor the chili crab and black pepper crab, which are perfect with those fluffy mantou buns served on the side that are best relished when dipped into the sweet crab sauce – a ritual most regulars will vouch for, there is plenty more that Jumbo Seafood offers. From prawns and lobster to fish and shellfish, there is something for every taste bud.

While the crabs took center stage on both our visits to the restaurant, we also indulged in a few side dishes.

Last year, we tried out the cereal prawns. There is a crunch in every bite you take of these flavorful prawns with a crispy cereal coating – a blend of oats, butter, curry leaves, and just a hint of spice.

Then this time, we ordered the pork satay – juicy meat marinated in the restaurant’s very own unique spices and then grilled to perfection. This delectable side dish is best had with peanut sauce, which they serve along with the satays.

If you are still not sure what to order when you do visit the restaurant, why not check out their menu online?

Make sure to reserve your table in advance

Prices can be steep at Jumbo Seafood, especially after the SGD 10 meals you would have indulged in at the various food courts across the city. So, expect to pay about SGD 200+ for two persons if crabs are on the menu. I would also advise that you book in advance. The restaurant can get busy, especially during weekends, peak dining hours, and public holidays. It is not just locals who come to dine with family and friends, but tourists and business partners from around the region and the world. That way, you can arrive just a few moments before, settle down, and savor every moment of your favorite seafood, without the wait.

If dining in is not an option, you can also ask for home delivery or takeaway. We did exactly that. Having done justice to the crabs, we did not feel like stuffing ourselves any further. So, we instead opted to have the Mee Goreng packed so we could take it with us to have later in the night if we felt a bit peckish. Let us just say that both of us did have another dinner late that night, enjoying one of Jumbo Seafood’s best-selling dishes. With its unique blend of spices, this spicy and savory Malay-styled fried noodle dish scrambled with eggs comes with fresh seafood and bean sprouts and is an absolute must.

So, if you do find yourself in Singapore the next time and crave a delicious chili crab, black pepper crab, or any other seafood delicacy, book your table, either by phone or online, hop into a cab, and make your way to Jumbo Seafood. It will be an unforgettable dining experience. That I assure you, claws crossed.