Roasted crabs as party food?

by Joe DiStefano (Subscribe to Joe DiStefano's posts)
Posted Nov 29th 2006 11:02AM
Filed under: Snacks, Asia, Food Oddities, Raves & Reviews, Shellfish

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I don't know about you, but sugary roasted miniature crabs don't exactly spell party to me. I found this unique snack at a Japanese grocery store. Let's make one thing clear: These are actual crabs, complete with shells. They're not tiny crab-shaped candies or marzipan.

The wording on the package brought to mind Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I can almost see Spicoli popping one of these crunchy crustaceans in his mouth and taking a swig from a bottle of Asahi, and exclaiming, "Let's party."

Believe it or not, I find the little guys to be quite tasty, if incredibly crunchy. They beat out shrimp granola for the strangest seafood item I've ever eaten. I can't wait to see how healthy my hair gets from all the chitin in the shells.

Tags: chitin, crabs, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, FastTimesAtRidgemontHigh, Japan, Japanese snacks, JapaneseSnacks

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-29-2006 @ 12:50PM

Steve said...

Actually, chitin is an undigestible (to humans) carbohydrate, similar to cellulose. It is therefore a dietary fiber and has many of the benefits associated with fiber. Fungi also use chitin as a structural molecule.

What would make hair healthy is keratin, which is a protein found in skin and hair.

11-29-2006 @ 2:56PM

Alex Lozowski said...

These are amazingly delicious. Although remember to chew thoroughly.. getting some bits in your throat REALLY sucks when its a sharp little shellpiece

11-30-2006 @ 12:41AM

bdw said...

I have eaten a lot of really weird Asian foods, and enjoyed them, but I have always had a problem with whole dried tiny animals. Although I have tried them. Several times. The little tiny fishy eyes looking up at me, plus the whole salty fishy sawdust taste, plus the fact that I am basically chewing up a dried bug, all serve to gross me out. Strange, because I like the dried, salted squid with chile, and the cured octopus and clams. I think it's the eyes.

The worst thing I've ever tasted, though, was a dried (mummified) salty plum cured in licorice and genseng. That was even worse than the peyote cactus.

12-08-2006 @ 12:52AM

Mara said...

Whoa, haven't seen those whole dried crabs yet, though as a habitue of asian supermarkets, I've seen and tried a lot of odd treats. Here's my account of one particularly memorable encounter:

http://citymuse.blogspot.com/2006/05/weird-snacking_114802882836386808.html

11-29-2006 @ 11:17PM

evan said...

I've eaten these a couple of times, both coming from the store at Japan in EPCOT (I live in Orlando). They draw a strong line between the pro and con groups because you can either tolerate them and maybe like them or straight up hate them.

Not bad, but I can't eat too many of them without being done with the flavor.

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