Imagine a situation where you are at a seafood restaurant and exploring all their options to decide on which you are gonna taste.
At one point, you saw a crab that looked like a spider!!
Maybe you will try to run towards your mom just like you did at your young age after seeing a spider in your room!!
No!! No!! Don’t be afraid cause this creepy-looking creature is not going to chase you. In fact, they are on the menu to make your tummy happy.
And their name is Japanese spider crab.
Now you may be curious to know: Are Japanese Spider crabs edible?
Yes, Japanese spider crabs are edible. They are considered a delicacy in Japanese cuisine, and their meat is prized for its sweet and delicate flavor. The crab is typically steamed or boiled and then served with soy sauce and wasabi.
Spider crab is also a popular ingredient in sushi, often used as an alternative to tuna or salmon.
The Japanese spider crab is the largest known crab species in the world, with some individuals reaching up to 14 feet in legspan. They are found in the waters off the coast of Japan, Korea, and Russia.
Okay, now let’s know about these crabs in detail.
Are Japanese Spider Crabs Safe to Eat?
Japanese Spider crabs are enjoyed as a delicacy in many parts of Japan. They are found and caught on the Japanese Island of Honshu. Japanese spider crabs are usually boiled and then seasoned with butter and lemon.
Although I have seen many people saying that spider crabs are poisonous, this is just a superstition.
So, you can eat them without having any concerns. Even there are some benefits of eating them.
What Is Japanese Spider Crab?
Japanese Spider crabs are one of the largest crustaceans on the earth. They are also well-known as “Macrocheira kaempferi,” or takaashigani in Japanese, which translates to “long-legged crab.”
These are a species of marine crab and live in the Pacific Ocean around Japan.
Because of their extremely long legs, they look like giant spiders.
But, don’t worry. They are not going to haunt you down!!
Even though their looks are kinda scary, the Japanese spider crabs are gentle creatures.
Since they don’t have a backbone, these crabs are characterized as arthropods. Also, they have the largest leg span, which is 3.7 m from claw-to-claw.
One interesting fact about them is that they can lay up to 1.5 million eggs per season. Also, they have the longest lifespan among the crab species, which is around 100 years.
We, Japanese people, like the meat of these giant crabs a lot because of the sweetness. And it is considered to be a renowned delicacy in Japan.
Another fact about which many people have questions is whether these Japanese spider crabs can live on land or not.
Well, just like the other fish, these crabs will only survive out of the water for a significant amount of time. And their mobility in the air will be weakened without the water.
Alright, even though I have said that these crabs are edible, you may wonder whether they are safe to eat or not.
To know the detailed answer, go through my next segment.
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Benefits of Eating Japanese Spider Crab
These crabs contain a lot of nutrients that are remarkably beneficial for your body. They are rich in proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, selenium, riboflavin, copper, and phosphorus.
Let’s know the values of these nutrients one by one.
1. Proteins
Proteins play an important role in healthy skin, muscles, hair, nails, etc. They are helpful in terms of the growth and development of your organs and their proper functioning.
And there is a good source of dietary protein in the meat of Japanese spider crab. Even you can easily digest them as they lack connective tissues.
Moreover, they contain less saturated fat compared to regular meat. Therefore, if you eat them, there is hardly any chance of having heart problems from them.
2. Omega 3 fatty acids
Japanese Spider crabs have an abundant amount of omega 3 fatty acids, just like most seafood. They are essential in maintaining cell membranes.
Also, this nutrition helps in various body functions like improving heart rate, mental health, managing weight, reducing liver fat, fighting inflammation, and so on.
Above that, they help with brain development, especially in children.
3. Selenium
This mineral is necessary for a healthy body. It assures that your metabolism is working properly and the thyroid level of your body is balanced.
Also, it helps in slowing down or preventing mental health issues due to aging.
The levels of selenium in your body have an impact on DNA synthesis and immunity. Hence, it is important for your overall well-being.
If you lack selenium, it may lead to infertility, fatigue, muscle weakness, etc.
4. Riboflavin
Riboflavin is also renowned as Vitamin B2. It is necessary for having healthy eyes, liver, skin, hair, etc. Even they help with the functional operation of the nervous system.
You may not know that it is highly essential to eat food rich in Vitamin B2 because they are soluble and not stored in the body.
Additionally, if you are an athletic person, then spider crab food can be beneficial for you too in many ways.
5. Copper & Phosphorus
Crabmeat has more copper than salmon, cod, chicken, and beef. It helps with the formation of collagen, energy production, absorption of iron, cell growth, and proper functioning of the brain.
If you consume 100 gm of crab meat, it will fill about 62% of the daily recommended nutrition value.
Now that you learn the benefits of eating these crabs, are you willing to make yourself one?
If yes, then the next section is for you.
How To Cook Giant Japanese Spider Crab with Recipe
First, let me tell you that cooking a Japanese Spider crab is kinda physically tiresome.
Ohh, no!! It seems like my words are making you feel worried. Well, you don’t have to accomplish something impossible to prepare them.
And for your kind information, the Japanese spider crab's meal can range between $100 to $500, according to the size.
So, cooking them yourself can save some pennies.
Okay, as you may guess, first you need to buy the crab.
After buying, you may leave it in the fridge for a few hours so that it dies. Another way is to place it on its back and cut through straight with a sharp knife. It will make sure of its swift demise.
Now, follow the instructions below to prepare a boiled Japanese spider crab.
- When the crab is dead, the first step is to put it in a large pot and steam it with boiling water. Then cover it with a lid. As these crabs have enormous sizes with big legs, you will need a big pot for steaming.
- The crab should be placed over the boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes per kilo. You can adjust the time according to their weight and the number of crabs.
- After it is cooked perfectly, you need to remove the gray spongy gills and the stomach sac, which are found right behind the jaw.
- Then rinse it properly to remove any excess protein and break off the legs. To make the procedure a bit easier, you can use a rolling pin or hammer to crack the legs.
- Now separate the meats and place them in a dish.
- Apart from the legs, the body part also contains flavourful meat, which is relatively sweeter than the rest of the crab’s meat. So, you need to set apart the body and shell to scrape down the meat. But, make sure to get rid of the pointed gills from the middle of its body.
Okay, since Japanese spider crab has both white and brown meat, you may either mix them together or place them separately according to your preference.
You can enjoy the delicious meat by dipping it in soy sauce or cheese. The moment you put a piece in your mouth, the blast of flavor will leave you in awe.
Alright, it’s time to come out from the imagination cause I have another spoon-licking recipe, which is baked Japanese spider crab.
For preparing it, you will need the below ingredients.
- 1.5 kg cooked spider crab. (Already mentioned how to cook above).
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
- 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
- 2 shallots or onions, finely chopped.
- 1 large spring onion, finely sliced.
- 1 leek, only the white part finely diced.
- 2 large tomatoes (peeled and deseeded).
- 150 ml tomato sauce.
- 1 ladle stock (the water in which the crab was boiled).
- Your favorite liquor.
- Breadcrumbs.
- 1 tablespoon of flat-leaf parsley.
- Few knobs of butter.
- Salt as per taste.
Steps:
1. Separate the brown meat from the shell and white meat from the claws & legs and put them in a bowl. Make sure there are no hard particles in the meat. You may keep the shell for later use, like serving sauce.
2. Now, take a medium-sized pan and heat oil and butter. Gradually add the onions, leek, tomato, liquor, and slow-cook for about 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Wet the sauce with the stock. Then add crab meat and cook for a couple of minutes. Don’t forget to stir well. And make sure this mixture doesn’t become too liquid or too dry. Add salt if needed.
4. When the filling is ready, pour it into the crab shell. Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and place a few knobs of butter on the above.
5. Place the shell in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius and bake for 6 to 12 minutes or until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown.
6. Remove it from the oven, sprinkle parsley, and serve immediately.
Anyway, besides the mentioned recipe, Japanese spider crab can be turned into different delicacies like crab cakes, crab rolls, spider crab creamy pasta, crab ravioli, and so on. So, you may try them out too.
As we are done with the preparation segment, it’s time to know if there is an etiquette for eating these crabs.
How to Eat Spider Crab?
Most people enjoy eating crabs with their hands. For example, crack the claw, pull out the meat from inside, dip in the sauce, and then eat. Even I myself like to eat them using my finger.
However, some people find it troublesome. And if you are the same, then you may use tools like small knives, pliers, metal kebab skewers, and other crab-picking equipment.
Anyway, besides the Japanese ones, there are some other species of spider crab that are edible.
In case you don’t mix up things, I will mention their name now. So, take a look below.
Species of Spider Crab for Eating
There are many species of spider crabs that are delicious and great for eating, such as:
- Portly Spider Crab.
- European Spider Crab.
- Giant Spider Crab.
- And, of course, Japanese Spider Crab.
As you already have an idea about Japanese spider crabs, I will now describe the other three species.
1. Portly Spider Crab/ Common Spider Crab
These types of crabs are found on the North American Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida. Also, you will find them in the bay of Mexico.
Their body is around 4 inches, and the legs are up to 12 inches long.
Although people debate on whether these are good for eating or not, be informed that they are neither poisonous nor harmful to eat.
However, as these are scavengers, they taste like what they eat. And some people said that the ones from Florida taste better than the ones found around New York and New Jersey.
2. European Spider Crab
The European Spider Crab is also known as the common spider crab or the spiny spider crab. They live on the eastern coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean.
Another variation of this species is found in the Mediterranean sea, around North Africa, and as far north as the North Sea.
3. Giant Spider Crab
The Giant Spider Crab is usually found in Port Phillip Bay, Australia. And, it is legal to catch up to 15 of these crabs each day.
Although I didn’t taste them in person, people who have eaten them said that these crabs' have less meat and a muddy flavor.
Hence, they are not as delicious as the European ones. Still, they are safe to eat.
Okay, I have nothing to inform you regarding today's topic. So, let’s move to the conclusion.
Can You Eat Spider Crab Raw?
In Japan, it is generally not common to eat spider crab (takaashigani) raw. The spider crab is a large species of crab found in the waters around Japan, and it is highly prized for its sweet and delicate meat.
However, like many seafood items, spider crab should be cooked before consumption to ensure safety and to enhance its flavor.
Raw consumption of any seafood carries a risk of foodborne illnesses and parasites. Cooking seafood, including crab, is essential to kill any potential bacteria or parasites that may be present.
In Japan, spider crabs are typically cooked in various ways, such as boiling, steaming, or grilling.
The cooked meat is then served in different dishes, such as crab hot pots (kani nabe), crab sushi, or crab sashimi (kani sashimi), where the meat is briefly blanched or lightly marinated in vinegar to partially cook it.
If you have the opportunity to try spider crab in Japan, it's best to enjoy it cooked and prepared by experienced chefs to ensure both safety and an authentic culinary experience.
Conclusion
In this writing, first, I gave you a straight answer to the question: are Japanese spider crabs edible? Also, I have included their beneficial side and some recipes to try at your home.
Hopefully, you will taste them either in a restaurant or at least at home cause I don’t want you to miss something delicious like them.
Even though these crabs are kinda expensive, trust me, they are worth trying.
Japanese Spider Crabs: FAQs
What Does The Japanese Spider Crab Taste Like?
The meat of Japanese spider crab has a sweet-ish flavor. It is rich and flavorful meat. All that’s required is to season it with butter and lemon for taste.
Where Can I Eat Japanese Spider Crab?
The Japanese spider crab is found on the Japanese island of Honshu. This is in fact a popular delicacy in Japan and enjoyed by many in Japan. So if you want to try a Japanese spider crab, popover at a Japanese restaurant where the chef will remove the meat and season it and serve it you!
Are Japanese crab spiders poisonous?
No, Japanese spider crabs are not poisonous. They are venomous, but their venom is not strong enough to harm humans. The venom is used to paralyze their prey, which is typically small fish or crustaceans.
The crab's pincers are much more dangerous than its venom, and can inflict a painful bite.
The Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) is the largest known arthropod in the world, with some individuals reaching up to 14 feet in legspan. They are found in the waters off the coast of Japan, Korea, and Russia.
While the Japanese spider crab is not poisonous, it is still a wild animal and should be treated with caution. If you are ever bitten by a Japanese spider crab, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
