Two whole raw edible crabs showing representative variation, complete carapaces, claws and walking legs

Seafood

Crab (Market Category)

A market category for edible crabs; mud crab, flower crab and other species remain label-led; appearance is supporting evidence only, so confirm the original label or counter sign.

繁體中文: 蟹
English: Crab (Market Category)
Bahasa Indonesia: Kepiting (lihat jenis pada label)
Tagalog: Crab (蟹; tingnan ang uri sa label)

What is it?

Crab (Market Category) is a Hong Kong market or food-shop term. This page keeps the locked market scope and does not infer species, cut or formula from colour or one shape.

How to identify it

hard carapace; one pair of claws and walking legs; shell colour and pattern do not establish species.

hard carapace
one pair of claws and walking legs
shell colour and pattern do not establish species

Common confusion

Crabs have a broad carapace, claws and walking legs; mussels and oysters are bivalves without crab legs.

Common Hong Kong household uses

Prepare it according to the employer’s recipe and product label, then cook it thoroughly before serving.

Preparation or handling

Use separate boards and knives for raw seafood, then wash hands and clean work surfaces; cook thoroughly to a centre temperature of at least 75°C for 30 seconds.

Storage

Keep raw seafood covered at 4°C or below on the lowest refrigerator shelf, separate from cooked and ready-to-eat food.

Helper tip

Crabs have a broad carapace, claws and walking legs; mussels and oysters are bivalves without crab legs.

What Ma’am or Sir may say

買蟹，睇清楚牌仔，返嚟分開生熟處理。

The employer asks for Crab (Market Category), with the label checked and raw food kept separate from cooked food at home.

Useful market phrase

唔該要蟹，要原裝標籤或檔口牌清楚嗰款。

Does the image look correct?

Last reviewed

2026-08-24