For the Love of Crab
If taste is heightened through time, then crab has certainly paid its dues and is worth every palate-pleasing penny. One of the oldest species of animals on earth, dating back over 200 million years, crab, those eight-legged delectable shellfish of the sea may be a downright pain to catch, but isn’t the flavor worth it? Nothing is more fitting to Hawai‘i’s island environment than indulging in a dish that features this tasty crustacean, and many local restaurants have put their traditional and some not-so-traditional spins on this seafood favorite.
Morimoto Waikiki
SPICY ALASKAN KING CRAB AT MORIMOTO WAIKIKI
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto displays his specialty as a cuisine artist with the Spicy Alaskan King Crab. Featuring 7-ounces of Alaskan King Crab—which alone would almost be enough to satisfy the typical crab-lover—the meat is topped with a spicy mayo sauce, bringing this dish home. Mixed with spicy tobanjan aioli, mayonnaise, gochujang Korean chili paste, lemon juice, lime juice and sesame oil; this spicy mayo sauce gives the fresh crab meat the little kick of spice it deserves. Spicy Alaskan King Crab is also served with Casino Fries, topped with cheese and the same spicy mayo.
Morimoto Waikiki
The Modern Honolulu
1775 Ala Moana Blvd. [D:3 Waikiki Map]
(808) 943-5900
www.morimotowaikiki.com
SHOR: American Seafood Grill
SHOR’S CRAB CAKES
Overlooking the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean horizon, SHOR offers nearly anything and everything from the surrounding seas. Shor’s Crab Cakes make your crab experience as un-messy as possible, but without compromising any of the taste. Featuring jumbo lump crab, the meat is mixed with panko (Japanese– style bread crumbs), fired on the flat grill, before being touched with a citrus mayonnaise. Served with fresh micro greens and a lemon olive oil, these crab cakes are suited best as an appetizer or light meal.
SHOR: American Seafood Grill
Hyatt Regency Waikiki
2424 Kalakaua Ave. [C:9 Waikiki Map]
(808) 237-6145
www.shorgrill.com
Chart House Waikiki
CRAB AND SHRIMP STUFFED MUSHROOMS AT CHART HOUSE WAIKIKI
A foundation of Waikiki dining since 1969, Chart House Waikiki has seen waves of restaurants come and go. Their dedication to Pacific Rim dining keeps their menu refreshing and original. The Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms highlights button mushroom caps stuffed with Dungeness crab and bay shrimp. Topped with their house-made hollandaise sauce and served over garlic-mashed potatoes, the dish is both rich and delicious.
Chart House Waikiki
1765 Ala Moana Blvd. [D:2 Waikiki Map]
(808) 638-2471
www.charthousehonolulu.com
Hee Hing
HEE HING’S ROASTED DUNGENESS CRAB WITH ROASTED GARLIC
Specializing in Cantonese cuisine, Hee Hing restaurant is no stranger to seafood. When it comes to crab, Hee Hing likes to give their guests options. Their Live Dungeness Crab dishes, which average between 1 3/4 lbs. to 2 1/4 lbs. can be prepared in many different ways. The steamed Dungeness Crab can be served with ginger and scallions, Tai Shan Style with a black bean sauce, or with vermicelli noodles. Hee Hing also offers a roasted crab with pepper salt or roasted garlic.
Hee Hing
449 Kapahulu Ave. [A:12 Waikiki Map]
(808) 735-5544
www.heehinghawaii.com
Azure
AZURE’S ALASKAN CRAB CHOWDER
A fairly recent fine dining restaurant grandly situated at The Royal Hawaiian, Azure has made its presence known as a world-class seafood essential. Adapting their luxurious take on the classic clam chowder, Azure has found a way to implement crab into the internationally popular seafood dish. In a generous serving, the Alaskan Crab Chowder mixes Alaskan crab, Moloka‘i purple sweet potato, smoked bacon and Kahuku corn into a tasty chowder broth. “It’s familiar to most people, but we’ve taken it to the next level with flavor and presentation,” says Azure chef Jon Matsubara.
Azure
The Royal Hawaiian
2259 Kalakaua Ave. [D:7 Waikiki Map]
(808) 923-7311
www.azurewaikiki.com
