Jiangsu Hairy Crab Season
At Mott 32, the arrival of Jiangsu Hairy Crab marks one of the most anticipated moments of the season.
Known in Chinese as Da Zha Xie (大閘蟹), Hairy Crab is prized for its delicate meat and rich golden roe, enjoyed for only a fleeting period each autumn.
To source the finest of the season, Mott 32 Group Executive Chef Lee Man Sing travelled to Jiangsu (江蘇), the heartland of Chinese mitten crab, visiting local farms and choosing crabs with firm shells, sweet meat and abundant roe.
From Jiangsu to Hong Kong, a seasonal tradition brought to the table at Mott 32.
15 October – 30 November 2026. Available for lunch and dinner.
A Delicacy Shaped by the Season
For centuries, Hairy Crab has been celebrated as an autumn delicacy in China, prized particularly for its rich golden roe.
Its appeal lies in its seasonality. At Mott 32, the season begins in October, when the crabs reach the size and richness our culinary team seeks.
From whole steamed crab to refined seasonal creations, each dish brings a different expression of Jiangsu Hairy Crab to the table.
The Art of the Pairing
Hairy Crab has long been enjoyed alongside Huangjiu, or Chinese yellow wine, whose gentle sweetness, depth and warmth provide a natural complement to the richness of crab roe.
Chef Lee visited a historic yellow wine distillery, exploring the craftsmanship behind a tradition that has accompanied Chinese dining for centuries. Made primarily from grains such as rice, wheat or millet, Huangjiu develops its distinctive amber colour, aroma and layered character through fermentation and time.
At Mott 32, this traditional pairing is reinterpreted through a carefully curated wine experience designed to complement the sweetness of the meat and the creamy depth of the roe.
The result is a progression of flavours that moves between freshness, sweetness, depth and warmth, allowing each expression of the crab to reveal something different.
The Wine Pairing Experience
HKD 580 per guest
The pairing includes Yancheng Mist, Ku Cang Shaoxing Hua Diao Jiu 10 Years, Guoniang 1959 Shaoxing Qingyu 20 Years, Howard’s Folly 2024 White Wine and Carmes de Rieussec 2017 Sweet Wine.
Available with the Jiangsu Hairy Crab seasonal menu from 15 October to 30 November 2026.
Jiangsu Hairy Crab at Mott 32
Chef Lee presents 12 Jiangsu Hairy Crab à la carte dishes alongside a 10-course Jiangsu Hairy Crab Seasonal Set Menu, celebrating the ingredient through a range of different expressions.
Steamed Whole Hairy Crab with 10 Years Shaoxing Wine
A signature of the season, served whole. Dedicated members of our team carefully deshell the crab at the table, allowing guests to savour the delicate meat and rich roe without interrupting the experience.
Male Hairy Crab
6 taels / 225g — HKD 550
Female Hairy Crab
5.5 taels / 206g — HKD 550
Jiangsu Hairy Crab Seasonal Set Menu
HKD 1,580 per guest(minimum two guests)
15 October – 30 November 2026. Available for lunch and dinner.
