Food & Receipts

The Tasty Delights of Quang Ninh: A Culinary Gem Fit for Royalty, Yet Affordable for All.

The horseshoe crab, a rather mysterious creature to many, is a delicacy in Quang Ninh, Vietnam. Join us as we delve into the world of this unique creature and explore what makes it a sought-after specialty. Discover the secrets of the horseshoe crab's appeal, where to find it, and the delicious dishes it can create in today's feature!

Administrator

5 July, 2024

Cu Ky is an unfamiliar name, but this crab-like species is a delicacy in Quang Ninh, Vietnam. With a cheaper price tag than regular crab, it’s a tasty treat. Let’s dive into everything about Cu Ky, from its price and where to buy it to delicious recipes you can try at home.

1 What is Cu Ky?

Cu Ky is a species of crab, often found in warm waters such as Malaysia and Indonesia. In Vietnam, they are commonly caught in the coastal regions of Quang Ninh and Khanh Hoa. Cu Ky crabs have a brown shell, bright green eyes, and large pincers. They cling to rocks and move slowly.

Cu Ky crabs have a brown shell and bright green eyes

There are two common types of Cu Ky: black (or hairy) and red. They live in rock crevices and cling tightly to rocks, moving at a slow pace. These crabs can grow up to 12cm in size and feed on small plankton and crustaceans, making them pests in aquaculture farms.

Cu Ky crabs inhabit rock crevices and coastal mangroves

Cu Ky crabs are also farmed in aquaculture ponds, floating houses, and breakwater dams. While their meat is not as sweet as regular crab, it is considered tastier than spider crab and is more affordable. However, the edible meat is mostly found in the pincers, with very little in the body.

Cu Ky crab is a famous delicacy in Quang Ninh. Often brought in by fishermen, it is a popular choice due to its lower price compared to regular crab.

2 Cu Ky Price and Where to Buy

Cu Ky crabs are usually sold at seafood wholesale markets and shops. Their availability depends on the season. Here are some places to buy them in Ho Chi Minh City:

Am Thuc Hai Son: 173A Duong Hiep Binh, Hiep Binh Chanh, Thu Duc
Hai San Sach 24h Seamart: Lo D, Chung cu Ha Do, Nguyen Van Cong, Go Vap
Thuy Hai San Ong Giau: 28 Duong So 9, Thu Duc

Cu Ky crabs for sale

The price of Cu Ky crabs varies depending on the season and their size. Here’s a general price range:

Small Cu Ky crabs (9 crabs/kg) typically cost around 90,000–110,000 VND/kg, or about 19,000 VND/crab.
Larger Cu Ky crabs (5–6 crabs/kg) retail for approximately 120,000–170,000 VND/kg.

Cu Ky crab prices

3 Delicious Cu Ky Recipes

Steamed Cu Ky

Cooking Time
15 minutes Preparation
30 minutes Serves
3 people

Ingredients

1–2 kg Cu Ky crabs
½ can of beer
2 lemongrass stalks
2 chili peppers

Instructions

Step 1 Rinse the Cu Ky crabs thoroughly under running water to remove any mud or dirt. Drain and set aside. Pound the lemongrass stalks and cut the chili peppers into sections.

Step 2 In a pot, add ½ can of beer, the prepared Cu Ky crabs, lemongrass, and a few chili pepper sections. Steam for 10–15 minutes until the crabs turn a beautiful brick-red color. Serve with chili sauce on the side.

Final Product

Arrange the steamed Cu Ky crabs on a plate. The bright orange-red color of the crabs is very appealing. Serve with a side of chili sauce to enhance the flavor.

Steamed Cu Ky crabs

Boiled Cu Ky

Cooking Time
15 minutes Preparation
20 minutes Serves
3 people

Ingredients

2 kg fresh Cu Ky crabs
2 lemongrass stalks
2 ginger roots
Seasonings: salt, pepper, lime

Instructions

Step 1 Clean the Cu Ky crabs thoroughly with a brush to remove any mud or dirt. Rinse the lemongrass and ginger, then cut the lemongrass into sections and the ginger into slices.

Step 2 In a pot, add the Cu Ky crabs, lemongrass, and ginger. Add just enough water to cover the crabs and boil for 5 minutes. Let the crabs sit in the hot water for another 1–2 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked.

Final Product

The boiled Cu Ky crabs take on an attractive orange-red color. Serve with a side of salt, pepper, and lime or chili sauce for a tasty treat.

Boiled Cu Ky crabs

Grilled Cu Ky

Cooking Time
35 minutes Preparation
20 minutes Serves
3 people

Ingredients

1–2 kg Cu Ky crabs
2 lemongrass stalks
2 chili peppers

Instructions

Step 1 Thoroughly clean the Cu Ky crabs under running water, removing any mud or dirt. Drain and set aside. Pound the lemongrass stalks and cut the chili peppers into sections.

Step 2 In a steamer, add the cleaned Cu Ky crabs, lemongrass, and chili peppers. Steam for 10–15 minutes until cooked.

Step 3 Light a charcoal grill. Place the steamed Cu Ky crabs on the grill and cook until the shells turn a light brown color.

Final Product

Arrange the grilled Cu Ky crabs on a plate. Serve with a side of chili sauce or lime and pepper dip.

Grilled Cu Ky crabs

Cu Ky in Tamarind Sauce

Cooking Time
20 minutes Preparation
15 minutes Serves
3 people

Ingredients

2 kg Cu Ky pincers
1 shallot
1 spring onion
3 tablespoons tamarind juice
Seasonings: sugar, fish sauce, chili, pepper

Instructions

Step 1 Clean the Cu Ky pincers thoroughly and set aside to drain. Peel and slice the shallot. Wash and chop the spring onion.

Step 2 In a pan, heat some oil and fry the shallot slices until fragrant. Add the Cu Ky pincers and stir-fry for 5–10 minutes.

Step 3 In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add 3 tablespoons of tamarind juice, 1 teaspoon of seasoning, 1 tablespoon of sugar, ½ tablespoon of fish sauce, 3 tablespoons of water, and ½ tablespoon of chili sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Final Product

The Cu Ky pincers in tamarind sauce are a mouthwatering dish. Serve with a side of chili sauce to enhance the flavor.

Cu Ky pincers in tamarind sauce