Authentic Southern Thai recipe, soft shell crab with lemongrass - Pu nim tod takrai ปูนิ่มทอดตะไคร้
- InFusion
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Soft shell crab with lemongrass, a Southern Thai classic from the South
In Southern Thailand crab is enjoyed in many ways, from salads and stir fries to deep fried specialities. Soft shell crab is a favourite because almost the entire crab is edible. In this recipe the robust flavour of crab meets the bright citrus lift of lemongrass. We first fry strands of lemongrass until golden and crisp, then fry the crab in the same fragrant oil. The result is soft shell crab with lemongrass that is intensely tasty yet refreshingly aromatic.
Recipe - Serves two
Ingredients
40 g lemongrass
2 soft shell crabs, 150 to 200 g each, cleaned, halved
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 tablespoons tempura flour
Oil for deep frying
Method
Briefly marinate the crabs in the oyster sauce.
Twist the lemongrass stalks to loosen the fibres, then pull them apart strand by strand. Deep fry at 180°C until the lemongrass is evenly golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper.
Using the same oil, lightly coat the soft shell crabs in tempura flour and fry until crisp. Drain well.
Pile the fried lemongrass over the crab and serve immediately with a spicy dipping sauce. A Thai seafood dipping sauce with lemongrass and ginger works beautifully and adds freshness.
Frying lemongrass for aroma and crispy texture
Frying the lemongrass gives you a two in one effect. It perfumes the oil that will season the crab and it turns the lemongrass into an edible, crispy garnish that brings texture and a clean citrus note.
Cleaning the crab made easy
We have a detailed step by step photo tutorial on how to clean soft shell crab. Following that guide will make this recipe quicker and neater.
Variations you will also meet in the South
In seafood restaurants across the South you may find soft shell crab with green peppercorns, with black pepper or stir-fried with curry powder. They are equally delicious!
More recipes from Southern Thailand
Loved this soft shell crab with lemongrass recipe? You will find it together with 49 other Southern Thai specialities in my book Recipes from the South. Download your copy and start cooking authentic Southern Thai food at home today.
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