Singapore Chili Crab

Singapore Chili Crab is a iconic and beloved local dish, featuring whole mud crabs stir-fried in a sweet, savory, and spicy tomato-and-chili-based sauce. The sauce is often thickened with egg and sometimes has a hint of tamarind, creating a rich, complex flavor profile that is both fiery and tangy. It is a quintessential part of Singapore's culinary identity, typically enjoyed with fried mantou buns to soak up the delicious gravy.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is a high-protein meal due to the crab, but the sauce and accompanying fried mantou can make it relatively high in fat and carbohydrates. A typical serving provides significant protein, along with minerals like zinc and selenium, and a rough calorie estimate is between 500-700 calories per serving, depending on the amount of sauce and buns consumed.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	450 kcal
Protein	25 g
Carbs	35 g
Fat	22 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	15 g
Sodium	1200 mg
Potassium	400 mg
Phosphorus	250 mg
Vitamin B12	15 µg
Zinc	6 mg
Selenium	45 µg
Copper	1.2 mg
Vitamin A	120 µg RAE
Iron	3 mg

Per 1 typical serving with sauce (approx. 300 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, Singapore Chili Crab is a celebrated national dish, often enjoyed as a communal, hands-on dining experience that is messy but deeply satisfying. Nutritionally, the crab meat itself is lean and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, making it a nutritious choice despite the indulgent sauce.