8 Crabs
Ambience & Setting As a delivery-focused establishment, 8 Crabs brings the zi char experience directly to your home. Their brand positioning centers on premium quality, evident in their use of grade AAA wild-caught Sri Lankan crabs—the only delivery service in Singapore to offer this distinction.
Signature Dishes Analysis
Salted Egg Crab (from $45.90) The salted egg preparation showcases the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients. Sri Lankan crabs are notably meatier than standard varieties, providing substantial texture in each bite. The salted egg coating should offer that characteristic creamy, umami-rich envelope that clings to the crab shells, with curry leaves providing aromatic punctuation. The wild-caught designation suggests firmer, sweeter meat compared to farm-bred alternatives.
Deshelled Prawns with Wasabi Mayo (from $25) This modern interpretation combines Japanese-inspired wasabi heat with creamy mayonnaise. The deshelling demonstrates attention to convenience—a thoughtful touch for home dining. The wasabi mayo should provide a controlled heat that builds gradually, coating the prawn’s natural sweetness without overwhelming it. Expect prawns with a firm snap and juicy interior.
Diced Organic Chicken Thigh in Dried Chilli (from $18.90) Using chicken thigh rather than breast shows culinary wisdom—thigh meat remains succulent even after high-heat wok cooking. The dried chilli preparation typically involves Sichuan peppercorns and whole dried chilies, creating layers of heat and numbing sensation. The organic designation suggests cleaner flavors and better texture retention.
Fried Man Tou ($6 for five pieces) These deep-fried mantou buns serve as the essential crab sauce vehicle. Properly executed, they should have a golden, crispy exterior that shatters delicately, revealing a pillowy, slightly sweet interior that absorbs sauce while maintaining structural integrity.
Delivery Experience Flat $8 islandwide delivery (waived above $120). The pricing structure encourages larger orders, making it ideal for family meals or gatherings.
Kai Xin Crabs
Ambience & Quality Standards An award-winning brand that distinguishes itself through daily air-flown Sri Lankan farm-bred crabs. The farm-bred versus wild-caught approach offers consistency in size and availability, though potentially with slightly different texture profiles compared to wild crabs.
Signature Dishes Analysis
Signature Chilli Crab (from $48.90) The restaurant’s signature status indicates this is their refined specialty. The description mentions “spicy-sweet, egg-laden sauce,” suggesting a properly balanced chilli crab gravy where beaten eggs create silky ribbons throughout the tomato-based sauce. The interplay between chilli heat, tomato acidity, and sugar sweetness should create a complex, addictive flavor profile. The sauce consistency is crucial—thick enough to coat without being gluey.
Signature Salted Egg Crab (from $48.90) Described as “creamy and fragrant without being jelak” (cloying), this suggests masterful balance. Salted egg yolk, when properly prepared, creates a sandy, rich coating that melts into the crab’s crevices. The key is achieving creaminess without heaviness—curry leaves and chilli padi typically cut through the richness, preventing palate fatigue.
Fried Chicken with Prawn Paste (from $13.90) This dish features fermented prawn paste (hae ko), which provides deep umami and a distinctive aromatic quality. The chicken should have a crispy, well-seasoned exterior with the prawn paste lending salty-sweet complexity. The fermentation adds a funky depth that distinguishes this from standard fried chicken.
Cereal Prawn (from $24.90) “Generously doused in cereal bits” indicates proper execution. The cereal coating—typically made from crushed oat cereal fried with butter, curry leaves, and chilli—should provide sweet, crunchy contrast to the prawn’s natural brininess. Child-friendly while remaining texturally interesting for adults.
Special Promotions The 1-for-1 crab promotion (two crabs from $86.90) offers exceptional value, effectively halving the per-crab cost.
Delivery Experience Standard $10 delivery (free above $100), with express one-hour delivery available for $20. The express option demonstrates operational sophistication and flexibility.
Kok Sen Restaurant
Ambience & Heritage A Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient (2019) with 50 years of family history. Located on Keong Saik Road, this Cantonese-style zi char establishment brings old-school authenticity to modern delivery. The Michelin recognition validates their consistency and technique.
Signature Dishes Analysis
Big Prawns Hor Fun ($21+ for small) This dish tests a chef’s wok skills. Hor fun (flat rice noodles) must be stir-fried over intense heat to achieve wok hei—that elusive smoky, charred flavor—while maintaining the noodles’ silky texture without breakage. The big prawns should provide sweet, firm bites throughout. The gravy typically features a starch-thickened seafood stock that coats each strand, with bean sprouts adding fresh crunch.
Claypot Yong Tau Foo ($17.55+ for small) Unlike standard yong tau foo, the claypot preparation involves braising stuffed vegetables and tofu in a savory sauce. The extended cooking in clay develops deeper, more concentrated flavors. Expect soft, sauce-soaked tofu puffs, tender eggplant, and vegetables that have absorbed the umami-rich braising liquid. The claypot retains heat exceptionally well, arriving warm even through delivery.
Delivery Experience Flat $8 delivery with $50 minimum spend. The minimum encourages proper order sizing for optimal food temperature upon arrival.
White Restaurant
Ambience & Brand Evolution From a single Sembawang outlet to multiple island-wide locations, White Restaurant exemplifies successful Singapore zi char expansion. Their growth trajectory indicates reliable quality and broad appeal.
Signature Dishes Analysis
Original White Beehoon ($7.70+) This signature dish built their reputation. The “white” designation refers to the light-colored sauce—typically made from superior stock, garlic, and seafood essence without dark soy sauce. The beehoon should carry “sweet seafood flavors” and “potent wok hei.” Proper execution requires extremely high heat to caramelize the noodles’ surface while keeping the interior tender. The seafood—prawns, squid, fish cake—must be cooked precisely to avoid rubberiness.
Signature Meat and Seafood Roll ($15.18+) Described as crispy, these rolls likely feature a spring roll or bean curd skin wrapper encasing a minced mixture of pork and seafood (typically prawn or fish). The filling should be well-seasoned and juicy, contrasting with the shattering crispness of the fried exterior. Served with sweet chilli sauce or vinegar for dipping.
Delivery Experience Remarkably affordable at $4.90 flat delivery for orders above $50. Multiple locations ensure fresher food upon arrival.
Mellben Signature
Ambience & Specialization Known for their claypot creations and crab dishes, Mellben Signature represents modern zi char innovation while respecting traditional techniques.
Signature Dishes Analysis
Claypot Crab Vermicelli Soup ($89.10+ for 900g) A whole crab stewing in creamy soup represents peak comfort food. The vermicelli absorbs the seafood-infused broth, becoming silky and flavorful. The “creamy soup” suggests a base enriched with either evaporated milk or beaten egg, creating luxurious body. The crab releases its sweetness during cooking, concentrating in the soup. The vermicelli texture should be soft but not mushy, with enough structure to absorb liquid without dissolving.
Mellben Prawn Bento Set ($15.80) The bento format demonstrates adaptation to solo dining and convenient delivery. Expect compartmentalized portions maintaining proper temperature separation—hot components stay hot, fresh elements remain crisp.
Delivery Experience Free islandwide delivery during certain periods, otherwise $10 with $50 minimum. The bento sets show consideration for delivery logistics.
Yassin Kampung
Ambience & Innovation With over 30 years of experience, the chef offers halal interpretations of traditional zi char with modern creativity. This fills an important niche in Singapore’s dining scene.
Signature Dishes Analysis
Sichuan Mala Fried Crab ($47.08 for regular) This fusion creation applies Sichuan mala (numbing-spicy) seasoning to crab—an unconventional but intriguing approach. Expect Sichuan peppercorns providing tingling numbness, dried chilies delivering layered heat, and the crab’s natural sweetness creating fascinating contrast. The wok-frying ensures the spice coating adheres to the crab shell, while the meat inside retains moisture and sweetness.
Kampung Durian Chicken ($23.54 for regular) Perhaps the most adventurous offering, this combines kampung (village-style) chicken with durian. The durian likely appears in sauce form, creating creamy, pungent complexity. Kampung chicken has firmer texture and more pronounced flavor than commercial breeds. This dish exemplifies bold culinary experimentation—divisive but memorable.
Delivery Experience Free delivery above $100, making it accessible for larger orders. The halal certification broadens accessibility.
Xing Hua Delights
Ambience & Cuisine Style Positioned as an affordable alternative to PUTIEN (one Michelin star), this establishment focuses on Heng Hwa (Putian) cuisine—a distinct regional style from Fujian province known for lighter, more delicate flavors.
Signature Dishes Analysis
Xinghua Lor Mee ($6.90+ for small) Unlike typical Hokkien lor mee with thick, starchy gravy, the Heng Hwa version is described as “equally rich” but likely with cleaner, more refined flavors. The inclusion of prawns, clams, Chinese cabbage, and bok choy creates textural variety—the prawns’ firm snap, clams’ briny chewiness, and vegetables’ fresh crunch. The broth is “extra gao” (thick/concentrated), suggesting long simmering that extracts maximum seafood essence.
Xinghua Bee Hoon ($6.90+ for small) This lighter option likely features thin rice vermicelli in a clear, delicate broth infused with seafood and herbs. Heng Hwa cuisine emphasizes ingredient purity and natural flavors over heavy saucing.
Delivery Experience $60 minimum order with $5 delivery—among the most affordable delivery structures reviewed. Excellent value proposition.
Comparative Delivery Analysis
Premium Tier (Best for Special Occasions)
- 8 Crabs & Kai Xin Crabs: Higher pricing justified by premium crab quality (wild-caught AAA vs. daily air-flown farm-bred)
- Free delivery thresholds: $120 and $100 respectively
Value Tier (Best for Regular Family Meals)
- White Restaurant: $4.90 delivery above $50
- Xing Hua Delights: $5 delivery with $60 minimum
- Excellent for frequent ordering
Convenience Tier (Best for Fast Delivery)
- Kai Xin Crabs: One-hour express delivery option ($20)
- Multiple outlets (White Restaurant): Faster delivery through proximity
Specialty Tier (Best for Dietary Restrictions)
- Yassin Kampung: Halal-certified with creative modern interpretations
Final Recommendations
For Crab Lovers: Choose between 8 Crabs (wild-caught, firmer texture) and Kai Xin Crabs (farm-bred consistency, 1-for-1 promotions)
For Traditional Zi Char: Kok Sen Restaurant (Michelin-recognized Cantonese techniques)
For Value: White Restaurant or Xing Hua Delights (low delivery fees, proven track records)
For Adventurous Eaters: Yassin Kampung (durian chicken, mala crab—dishes you won’t find elsewhere)
For Soup Lovers: Mellben Signature (claypot specialties, creamy vermicelli soup)
The delivery zi char landscape in Singapore demonstrates remarkable diversity, from traditional preparations to innovative fusions, ensuring every palate finds satisfaction without leaving home.