Embark on a culinary adventure with this delectable Chile Crab recipe. Prepare to get your hands messy as you savor the succulent crab meat drenched in a vibrant, spicy-sweet sauce. Forget the formalities – this dish is best enjoyed with fingers and a stack of napkins. Crusty bread is highly recommended for soaking up every last drop of the flavorful sauce.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare the Chile Paste: In a food processor, combine the shallots and red chile peppers. Pulse until a very fine paste forms. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Prepare the Crab: Gently crack the crab claws and the larger legs to allow the sauce to penetrate during cooking. (5 minutes)

03

Step

Sauté the Crab: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the quartered crabs and stir-fry until the shells turn a vibrant color and the meat is cooked through. This should take approximately 10 minutes. Remove the crabs from the wok and set aside, leaving the oil in the wok.

04

Step

Develop the Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the chile pepper paste to the wok and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Incorporate the chopped garlic and ginger, continuing to stir for another minute until aromatic.

05

Step

Create the Chile Crab Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the ketchup, vinegar, and sugar. Pour this mixture over the garlic-ginger paste in the wok. Stir continuously until the sauce is well combined and slightly thickened.

06

Step

Combine Crab and Sauce: Return the cooked crab to the wok, submerging it in the flavorful sauce. Cook and stir for an additional 3 minutes, allowing the crab to fully absorb the sauce's essence. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

07

Step

Add the Egg Ribbon: Gently pour the beaten eggs into the wok while continuously stirring the sauce. This will create delicate strands of egg that enrich the sauce's texture. If the sauce becomes too thick, add water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is achieved.

08

Step

Garnish and Serve: Remove the wok from the heat. Garnish the Chile Crab generously with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with crackers or toasted bread.