Thursday, December 13, 2007

Hairy Encounter of the First Kind at King Crab, Petaling Jaya

I know some of you will probably look at this post and have an overdose of cholesterol from the previous posts by other floggers. But this is not only the season for merrymaking, it's also the season for hairy crabs, all the way from China! "This's the season to eat Hairy, Fa La La La La, La La La La!", hehehe....So, while this is still available, I thought I had better blog about it so that to remind some of you who have yet to feast on Hairy (what the hairy crab is affectionately called by us after our dinner date) to go to King Crab soon. For those who still need more convincing that Hairy is something we should try (well, even if you're not keen, just try in once in your lifetime), HEEEEEERRRREEEEeeeee's HAIRY!!!
Tai Lake Hairy Crab
We started off with Tai Lake Hairy Crab (RM78/crab-USD23/crab). Hairy crabs are steamed over a pot of Zhisu leaves and ginger water to further accentuate the sweet taste of the meat.
Hairy Crab's Hairy Claw
Why Hairy is called Hairy!
Crab Roe
Look at all that crab roe!!! Given step by step instructions, we slowly broke the shell apart. There are certain parts of Hairy that shouldn't be consumed; the gills, heart and lungs (I kept asking the staff where the heart and lungs were located as I really had no idea where they were!). I was delighted by the haven found inside. The Tai Lake hairy crab wasn't that meaty but that was secondary to the primary importance of Hairy which is the crab roe itself! The crab roe was creamy and sweet, and totally change my perception of crabs in general. I ate the meat with the vinegar and shredded ginger dip. Apparently, that reduces the cooling effect that one might experience eating Hairy. For the same reason, we also had a cup of ginger tea and a cup of chinese Fa Tiu wine with sour plum (I enjoyed drinking the latter!).
Yang Cheng Lake Hairy Crab
Next up was the Yang Cheng Lake Hairy Crab (RM88/crab-USD26/crab). Eaten in the same way Hairy Tai was, I found Hairy Yang meatier and it's crab roe even creamier and packed more oomph! Boy! I was really enjoying my dinner, in love with Hairy but I know this love affair can't go on. Unless, I don't mind going broke and being cholesterol laden! Hairy Yang came wearing a cuff link, or what some would call a tag bearing an ID no. where one can check (if you're in China) whether Hairy is the real deal and indeed is THE Hairy from China.Lobster
Next on the menu was Lobster Sashimi. The meat (the glistening area next to the lobster's body in the photo above) was laid on top of crushed ice. The Australian lobster (RM298/kg-USD90/kg) looked really fierce and reminded me of the Predator from the movie of the same name!
Lobster Meat
Since I am not a fan of raw food, I dipped the meat into the hotpot. The cooked meat was springy and sweet and the wasabi gave it an extra kick! Loved it!
Vege & Tofu Hotpot
Additional vegetables and tofu were cooked in the hotpot of superior broth! The soup was very delicious, I think I had quite a few bowls of it :o).
Watercress Vegetable
Another dish to balance out our meal, we also had stir fried watercress vegetable.
Steamed Flower Crab
After my whirlwind romance with both Hairys, this Steamed Flower Crab didn't excite me though it was sweet and fresh. I took a small bite and spurned it. LOL! It could not take the place of Hairy. Hairy, you've got it all!
Salted Egg Yolk Squid
This is usually a standard order whenever we dine at King Crab. This time round, they got the Salted Egg Yolk Squid done quite well. Not oily, it was crispy and so flavourful that this dish was gone in 60 seconds (well, give it another 60 seconds or so, hahaha...)!
Lobster Head Noodle
The remaining Lobster Head after being "sashimied" earlier was taken back to the kitchen and cooked braised with noodles as the final dish of the night. It was yummy (though I had an even yummier Lobster Head Noodles done by King Crab during my previous visit) but later we were surprised by an additional item.
Tiramisu
Lyrical Lemongrass treated us to this wonderful Tiramisu cake in celebration of her recent promotion. It was indeed the sweet ending to the night.

Take note that Hairy Crab season ends in January 2008. So if you're looking for a hairy encounter yourself, do make your way to King Crab soon. King Crab is the biggest importer in Malaysia of Hairy Crabs from China and it seems the ones from Tai Lake and Yang Cheng Lake are the better ones. They are currently having a promotion where you get 1 free for every 5 crabs ordered from the RM38/USD11 range. There are numerous sizes and origins, prices range from RM38 right up to RM118/USD35 for one.

Read other Hairy encounters here :-

Precious Pea
Masak-Masak
Lyrical Lemongrass
Lots Of Craving


King Crab
No. 103-107 Jalan SS25/2
Taman Mewah Jaya
Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Tel : 03-7808 2388

I'm on a seafood diet. I see food and I eat it. ~Author Unknown



31 comments:

LianneK said...

wow, you guys really know how to feast and indulgeee ahhh! your new encounter Hairy ahh, how come its leg is still muddy? hehehe

i'd love to try but quite ex lol

Kenny Leong said...

Where is the place? izzit just opposite the kelana jaya LRT station?

Anonymous said...

The flower crab is not able to replace the hairy crab for sure!

Cynthia said...

You frightened me with the pics of the hairy crab and I like crab!

Precious Pea said...

Mmmm..yum yum yum...now you know why am hooked to Hairy hor? So may I suggest we go meet up with Hairy again next season?

New Kid on the Blog said...

Hi hi.... courier please!!!!!!!

HairyBerry said...

better late than never, right? hehe...gotta love the lobster noodles...seen it a few times but is still as attractive as ever! slurp...

Lyrical Lemongrass said...

Them crabs look real tempting. I feel like going out and grabbing 'em right now!

Kenny Mah said...

Overdose of cholesterol? Maybe, but your post as a reminder is great: the pics alone very de drama lar... Hehehe...

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

haha i thought it was "Harry"..and "Sally"..yeap, it was indeed an unforgettable evening, not to mention it was for my cholestrol, heart and wallet!

Jason said...

I miss cracking and digging into Hairy's shell and legs.
Waahhahaa~!!

yammylicious said...

hairy crab.. bangala also alot hair nor.. hahax.. don;t give temptation for mii to gain weight... XD

wmw said...

imbi & itchy : That isn't mud that you see...it's hairy, hence hairy. But since we don't bite into it but crack the crab claw open, there's no problem eating it.

kenny : Yes, you've got it right!

celine : I'm glad you understand why I spurned it! Hahaha...

cynthia : Scary and tough looking...but I still love it nevertheless. Tough love! LOL!

Precious Pea : Once a year affair is okay :o)

nkotb : Hey there! Weren't you in town? You didn't go round getting the food items on your list? Hehe...

nic : Uh huh! Everytime...tasty!

Lyrical L : Quick, while its still in season, you still can!

kenny mah : Hahaha....hairy encounter needs more drama.

Joe : Well, you have Harry and you have Hairy. Hairy's Asian, hahaha...

Jason : Hahaha, still thinking about Hairy, eh??? It's not goodbye, you'll still say your next hello ;o)

yammylicious : Mmm...not so much of weight but cholesterol I suppose. So go eat! Tempting you...muah ha ha...

MeiyeN said...

your pics.... da hairy crab, da lobster all looked so fierce!!! :p but absolutely nice one... such a wonderful dinner!

Anonymous said...

oh...the tiramisu looks divine!

where can i get it?

u all really a food flogger..muahahah

chenboon said...

not yet try...
but they really look delicious.
a question to ask:
u use any extra lighting or support tools to take the very bright photos?

ai wei said...

whoa! wat a feast! besides the hairy crab, i bet the lobster sashimi n noodles were yummylicious too! they look tempting!

marias23 said...

Wow! What a feast! I've never had the fortune to sink my teeth into one of those hairies. You're making me oh so jealous!

Anonymous said...

I love crabs. I want, I want. Actually, I don't mind any crabs as long as they are fresh and meaty and the meat don't fall apart.

Port Klang lah.....

SteamyKitchen said...

OMG!!! Hairy crab! I had 1 hairy crab when I went back to China in Oct. It was expensive and nowhere near as fat as yours!

Wandering Chopsticks said...

Oh man! I was positively salivating looking at those pics. I've never had hairy crabs before. Only eaten Dungeness crabs.

Ms One Boobie said...

Bring me..!! bring me..!!

Unknown said...

i would love to have hairy YANG as my bf ..anytime

wmw said...

meiyen : Hahaha...I wouldn't want to be face these creatures when they are alive like in the Disney movie!

anonymous : I think the cake is from La Meridien.

chenboon : I "brighten" the pics at times if there isn't enough lighting.

jackson : Really? Didn't even know you are hairy. Must check next time. Hahaha..Oh, the taste is very sweet.

ai wei : Overall, a very sumptious dinner!

marias23: Keep a lookout for it. I believe we should have such an eating experience at least once in our lifetime :o)

judy : After eating Hairy hor, the other crabs just won't do lo.

Steamy Kitchen : Well, if ever you're making a visit to Malaysia during Hairy season... ;o)

wandering chopsticks : Then you just have got to try one! It's really an enriching "egg-perience"! LOL

mamabok : Haha...just like Judy. Lots of food to eat when you're in town.

kampungboycitygal : What does kampungboy say to that??? Hehehe...

wonda said...

Looks not so hairy and prickly as the kegani (hairy crab) here. I prefer snow crab.

Sugar Bean said...

I've read so many reviews on this restaurant. It surely looks good! I'd really want to try it out myself!

New Kid on the Blog said...

Not yet.... X'mas week mah.. so meanwhile courier pls!! hahaha...
BTW, is it expensive???

wmw said...

wonda : I saw the post you did on crabs...can look quite scary one hor?

wenching&esiong : Try to go on a weekday for an even tastier meal!

NKOTB : Expensive? Quite...go for the promo deal when you are in town lo, Still available then! Better to eat fresh, courier not nice leh. :o)

Unknown said...

that must be a super expensive meal! so many crabs!

but must be super tasty too! makes everyone viewing this page hungry and jealous!

next time, 'ajak kita pergi sama sama' ok?

wmw said...

keropok man : Uh Huh, hence only once a year! Well, make sure you're in town during Hairy season then! :o)

Unknown said...

OK OK! haha..