• Step 1: Remove the tail

    Flip the crab on its back and remove the tail. If you see roe, you're on to something good. Suck out the roe from the tail. Don't use vinegar on this part of the crab -- you want to taste the sweetness.

  • Step 2: Remove the top shell

    Remove the top shell. This is where most of the roe is hidden. Pull it back to uncover the bright orange rich roe.

  • Step 3: Remove mouth from shell

    Remove the mouth from the shell. Remove the small bones at the top. Scrape all the roe together from the body and shell to collect a spoonful of roe. Add a bit of vinegar mixture (usually black vinegar, chopped ginger and sugar) to cut through the richness.

  • Step 4: Remove the gills

    Remove the gills aka "dead man’s fingers" from the sides of the body -- used to filter water, they are inedible.

  • Step 5: Prepare the vinegar sauce

    Add 1/4 cup of chinese black vinegar, some brown sugar (add more/less accordingly) and some minced young ginger.

  • Step 6: Enjoy your hairy crabs

    Feast on some of the freshest and yummiest hairy crabs.

  • Step 7: Push the legs

    Using the meat picker, push through the top part of the remaining leg and you'll find yourself with a nice intact piece of leg meat.

  • Step 8: Crack the claws

    The claws are the toughest part of the crab. Use the crab-shell cracker (or very strong teeth) to break the claw in half.

  • Step 9: Pick out the claw meat

    Once again, use the meat picker to pick out the crab meat hidden in the claw.