12 spots for crab bee hoon in Singapore worth getting messy for

Crab bee hoon in Singapore is a refreshing variation on the iconic chilli crab — it delivers an indulgence that’s as shell-shockingly good, and is undeniably delicious in its own right. 

The star of the dish is — of course — the crab, prized for its sweet, tender and flavourful meat. In most places across Singapore, it is cooked in either a rich, soupy broth, or wok-fried in a savoury sauce, then paired with rice vermicelli (bee hoon) that soaks up every bit of that soupy and saucy goodness. 

It’s hard to place a fixed price on this decadent crustacean that comes in various types and sizes, and supply is also highly seasonal, so it is unsurprising that prices fluctuate quite a bit. However, the general estimate for a crab bee hoon dish in Singapore might be anywhere between S$90 to S$150 per kg. 

Now that you know what you’re getting into and how much to set aside, let’s get crackin’ on these 12 spots for crab bee hoon in Singapore that are absolutely worth getting messy for!

1. Mellben Signature

The name Mellben is one of the most recognisable when it comes to crab dishes in Singapore, but few realise that it is a family-run business that has branched out into multiple brands and locations across the island. The backstory is a complicated one, so much so that the five Soon siblings behind the Mellben brand have come out publicly to address it, and debunk all rumours of rivalry. That, however, is a story for another time!

Today, there are two restaurants operating under the Mellben Signature name — the Ang Mo Kio outlet that most locals regard as the original flagship stall, and a newer, more modern restaurant in Tanjong Pagar. 

Mellben’s legacy lies in how it has redefined crab bee hoon in Singapore by enhancing the dish with a luxurious, milky seafood broth and serving it bubbling hot in a claypot. Its signature claypot crab vermicelli soup (seasonal price) is the must-try here. Have it alongside crispy cereal prawns (from S$35) and stir-fried asparagus with scallops in X.O sauce (from S$30) to complete a delicious meal.

2. Long Ji Zi Char

For a top notch zi char experience that guarantees wok hei-kissed crab bee hoon, Long Ji Zi Char in Outram is the place to visit. Helmed by owner-chef Mac Kong, it has maintained its reputation as a zi char favourite since 2013, growing from a humble hawker stall to a cosy restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. 

The Long Ji bee hoon crab (seasonal price) is the undisputed star, standing out with its unique cooking style — Longji’s version features a gravy-like broth that is thick and rich, and clings well to the fried bee hoon, which adds another layer of smokiness. The result? A savoury, peppery, and umami bowl of crab bee hoon goodness. 

It also offers a line up of other distinctive zi char dishes, such as its boldly flavoured and deliciously charred stir fried bee tai mak (silver needle noodles, from S$15), or its rather addictive fermented beancurd crispy pork belly (from S$18) that’s been a long time crowd favourite!

3. Uncle Leong Seafood

Uncle Leong Seafood is run by — you guessed it right, a certain Uncle Leong. But did you know that Uncle Leong is one-fifth of the Soon siblings behind the Mellben brand? Coming from the same big seafood family business should be testament enough that the crab bee hoon at Uncle Leong is legitimately good, too! 

The focus of the claypot crab bee hoon soup (seasonal price) here is its broth. It’s clean and balanced, yet still deep in flavour — the kind soup that feels like a warm blanket wrapping around you as you sip. You can drink bowls of this and still want more!

Of course, Uncle Leong does more than just crab bee hoon. Another specialty that it’s famous for is its Shimmering Sand crab Delight (seasonal price), cooked in a creamy sauce with oat flakes that is sweet and buttery. Try its Guinness pork ribs (from S$20) as well, for an interesting caramelised stout flavour.

4. Keng Eng Kee Seafood

Keng Eng Kee Seafood, more affectionately known as KEK zi char, has five decades of history behind it. Now, the reins have been passed on to the third-generation to continue its proud family legacy while staying true to its time-honoured recipes. 

At KEK, there’s the luxury of two different crab bee hoon dishes to choose from. If you’re up for something warm and hearty, go for the claypot crab with bee hoon soup (market price), which you can have with either thick or thin bee hoon. If you’re looking for more robust wok hei flavours, the stir fried thin bee hoon with crab (market price) delivers just that. 

KEK excels in many other dishes, and its signature moonlight hor fun (from S$10.80) is one of its most beloved. The raw egg — or the “moon” in this case, thanks to its deep-yellow hue — that tops the hor fun adds a silky, velvety texture, making for a luxurious indulgence.

5. Chicken Pie Kitchen & Don Signature Crab

Chicken pie and crab may seem like a strange pairing, but it is what works for chef Don Lim, who not only creates spectacular chicken pies, but has also concocted a heavenly herbal crab bee hoon soup that became an unexpected hit. What began as a home-cooking endeavour for the family has since made its way into the menu and is now something that we customers can enjoy at Chicken Pie Kitchen & Don Signature Crab.

Chicken Pie Kitchen & Don Signature Crab, which opened around 2022, operates across a few takeaway kiosks, in addition to its flagship restaurant at 39 Tyrwhitt Road. The latter is the place to go for a proper sit-down meal to savour its crab bee hoon soup (from S$39.80, based on weight), which features that distinctive broth. If you’d prefer takeaway to enjoy at home, its crab dishes can be ordered from either the flagship outlet or its takeaway kiosk at AMK Hub. 

There are many other exciting variations of crab bee hoon on the menu, too: Black pepper, laksa, and even cheese crab bee hoon (from S$39.80, based on weight), catering to more adventurous tastebuds. Its prawn and scallop laksa bee hoon (from S$16.80) is also highly raved about. You’ll also want to complete your meal with a generously stuffed slice of flaky original chicken pie (S$6.80) for the full Don experience.

6. De Golden Spoon Seafood

De Golden Spoon Seafood is a seafood restaurant best known specifically for its crab bee hoon, its signature dish that people travel specially there for. It’s a casual, family-friendly restaurant that’s spacious and comfortable, great for large gatherings and lively conversations over good food.  

The must-order dish is its Golden Spoon bee hoon crab (seasonal price), often touted as one of the best crab bee hoons in Singapore. Savour thin vermicelli noodles soaked in a fragrant broth that’s creamy yet savoury, complemented by sweet, succulent crab meat.

To go along with it, the pan fried coffee ribs (from S$15) infused with a delicate coffee flavour and finished with a slight crisp, makes for an excellent side, too. Another popular choice is the bamboo clams (S$15 per stick), steamed with glass noodles for a clean, aromatic contrast to the other richer dishes. 

7. Red House Seafood

Established in 1976, Red House Seafood is a spot that’s rich in heritage and has delighted generations of seafood lovers over the years with its Nanyang-style cuisine. The restaurant also takes pride in the responsible sourcing and handling of fresh seafood from around the world, ensuring only the finest reach you on your table.

Now operating across three locations, Red House Seafood presents an elevated take on crab bee hoon, starring the king of crabs — the majestic Alaskan King Crab (from S$188 per piece, though prices may vary seasonally) if you prefer a drier rendition. 

Prized for its natural sweetness and gentle brininess, and firm yet tender chunks of meat, the crab is available in a variety of cooking styles, though the ones with vermicelli are the pot braised with superior stock and vermicelli (from an additional S$12 for a small portion), or as a braised with duo of vermicelli 

Seafood lovers will truly be spoilt for choice here, with a wide selection of crab and lobster specialties. Highlights include its fresh crab meat “pao fan” (from S$34), a comforting bowl of Asian rice porridge with crab meat and crispy rice in a heartwarming broth. The restaurant is also well-known for its stir fried lobster with signature creamy custard sauce (seasonal price), featuring juicy lobster meat coated in a delicious velvety sauce. 

8. Rongji Seafood

Casually tucked away in a food court within Northstar@AMK, Rongji Seafood is a little hole-in-the-wall shop for crab bee hoon in Singapore that many might easily overlook. Yet, this unassuming spot has quietly built a loyal following thanks to its honest, hearty cooking. With no social media presence, it remains one of those hidden gems that thrives purely on word-of-mouth and regulars — and that’s something quite special in today’s dining scene. 

You’ll find its crab bee hoon (market price), available as both soup and dry versions, on almost all the tables of its patrons. The soup version, in particular, is deeply satisfying, with the crab and bee hoon simmered in a smooth, milky broth that’s perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the crab. This dish is so popular that sometimes it sells out early, so we highly recommend that you call in ahead to book a crab to avoid disappointment!

If the crab bee hoon sells out, don’t fret, its crayfish bee hoon soup (market price) is a worthy alternative with a broth that’s just as satisfying. Another comforting and homely dish is its pig’s trotter bee hoon (from S$13) that’s also a crowd pleaser.

9. Crab Kingdom

As its name suggests, Crab Kingdom is a paradise for crab lovers. Operating out of a coffee shop in the east, it oozes heartland neighbourhood vibes, and makes for a comfortable spot for a casual dinner, or even a fun and rambunctious gathering with family or friends. The attentive service here will make you feel at home, too!

Its star dish is undoubtedly its claypot crab bee hoon soup (seasonal price), a bowl of goodness great for communal sharing. The bee hoon is served in a broth that’s flavourful yet not overly heavy on the palate, allowing the natural sweetness of the crab to shine through. If you’ve slurped up every last drop of the soup and still want more, you can try asking for a one-time soup top-up as well — the shop’s been known to oblige. 

Apart from its crab dishes, Crab Kingdom has other solid zi char options lined up. Its salted egg green bean (from S$12) is a standout, with a savoury salted egg sauce clinging to sweet and crunchy French beans. Another crowd pleaser would be its prawn paste chicken (from S$15) that’s crispy on the outside and juicy within.

10. 8 Crabs

8 Crabs is unique in that it places equal emphasis on both dine-in and delivery. While it operates as a full-fledged restaurant specialising in crabs, it has also built a highly successful delivery service, with its signature crab dishes successfully gracing the dining tables of many homes.

Reviews for its delivery service are highly positive, too, reflecting how 8 Crabs has mastered the art of ensuring that its crab dishes taste as palatable after delivery as they would fresh from the kitchen. We especially appreciate the transparent pricing and information on its website, as well as its one driver to one order policy that allows it to uphold the promise of delivery to your doorstep in one hour if you opt for express delivery (S$18). 

Logistics aside, 8 Crabs prides itself in supplying AAA grade crabs, and this quality shines through in its signature crab bee hoon, available in both soup (from S$90.90) or dry (from S$90.90). Each style offers its own distinct flavour profile and texture — the soup is comforting and savoury, while the dry version is more concentrated and robust — but both are well-seasoned and more importantly, feature fresh, well-sized crabs.

For those craving more variety, go western with its seafood in a bag (S$39.90). This extremely value-for-money set includes prawns, mussels, lala/clams, scallops, and other accompaniments, all cooked in a delectable sauce. 

You can choose from four sauce options —the cajun garlic butter sauce is particularly sensational! The set also comes with nine man tous (fried buns) for dipping. Turn it into a full feast by adding on a crab (from an additional $39) or two Boston lobsters (additional $93.90) to complete the meal.

11. JB 101 Firewokz

Besides being a superb option for families as a kid-friendly dining spot with plenty of entertainment options, JB 101 Firewokz also serves up solid food to match. In a short span of 10 years since it was first established, it has carved out a reputation as one of the go-to zi char spots in Singapore. 

It has also built up a strong following for its signature crab bee hoon (seasonal price), a must-have when you’re there, as its rendition delivers a well-balanced broth that’s accompanied by a subtle hint of wok flavour. The dish comes with a generous serving of crab, and tender rice vermicelli that soaks up the essence of the crab, too. 

Some other noteworthy dishes to try include its fragrant curry fish head (S$35) that’s rich and robust, as well as its surprisingly addictive salted egg bitter gourd (from S$12.50) that’s savoury and crisp, with just a slight tinge of bitterness, all packed into one piquant bite.

12. HolyCrab

Under chef Elton Seah’s guiding and loving hand, HolyCrab has had quite the journey, evolving from a private home-dining experience into a stunning full-service restaurant at the beautiful Capitol Arcade. The hype for it is justified, seeing how the concept enjoys veering away from the conventional — diners absolutely love its exciting creations that come with bold flavours and tongue-in-cheek names. 

HolyCrab guarantees the freshest, highest quality Sri Lankan crabs, priced at S$108 per kg. You’ll want to make a beeline for its two crab bee hoon dishes: Holy (additional S$12 with thick vermicelli), which features a rich, crab-flavored broth elevated with a shot of sherry wine, and Succumb (additional S$12 with thin vermicelli), which showcases a beautifully cooked crab atop a bed of charred bee hoon flavoured with eggs, spring onion, and lard. 

Don’t stop there — there are many other standout dishes in its menu! HolyCrab has mastered the art of wok hei, which you definitely taste in its scorched vermicelli (chao tar bee hoon) (from S$20). Another unique, well-loved creation is CapriCorn (S$16), where corn kernels meet salted egg yolk for a mind-blowing flavour bomb. 

For more places to dine at, check out the adorable Catea, where you can hangout with ragdoll cats while sipping Chinese tea, and pop by Italian concept Acqua e Farina for its latest menu refresh.