Bakwan Kepiting

Chinese New Year
Mains
One-pot
Peranakan
Pork
Soup

Cook Time:

1 Hr

Servings:

3-4 Pax

Bakwan Kepiting, a Peranakan crab meatball soup, is a dish centred around fresh crab meat, lightly seasoned and shaped into tender meatballs, simmered in a clear, aromatic broth. The result is a soup that is clean, sweet, and deeply comforting.

Originally, Bakwan Kepiting is made with meat from steamed flower crabs giving the soup a subtle sweetness. However, it takes a really long time to remove crab meat from the shells, hence we are substituting it with frozen crab meat that is more accessible. 

Ingredients

Adjust Servings
US / Metric

Meatball mixture

0.00
pcs
pcs
Prawns
0.00
pcs
pcs
Prawns
0.00
g
g
Minced pork
0.00
g
g
Minced pork
0.00
g
g
Canned bamboo shoots
0.00
g
g
Canned bamboo shoots
0.00
g
g
Frozen crab meat
0.00
g
g
Frozen crab meat
0.00
Egg
0.00
Egg
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Corn starch
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Corn starch
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fish sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fish sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Soy sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Soy sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Sesame oil
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Sesame oil
0.00
tsp
tsp
Salt
0.00
tsp
tsp
Salt
White pepper
0.00
White pepper

Soup stock

Prawn head and shells
Prawn head and shells
0.00
g
g
Pork bones
0.00
g
g
Pork bones
0.00
g
g
Canned bamboo shoots
0.00
g
g
Canned bamboo shoots
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Chicken stock powder
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Chicken stock powder
0.00
litre
litre
Water
0.00
litre
litre
Water
Salt
Salt
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Soy sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Soy sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fish sauce
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fish sauce

Garnish

0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fried shallot oil
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fried shallot oil
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fried garlic oil
0.00
tbsp
tbsp
Fried garlic oil
Fresh coriander
Fresh coriander

Steps

1

De-vein and de-shell prawns, keep the prawn heads and shells for stock.
De-vein and de-shell prawns, keep the prawn heads and shells for stock.
Mark as completed

2

In a large pot, sauté prawn shells, pork bones and bamboo shoots briefly, then add water to make the stock.
In a large pot, sauté prawn shells, pork bones and bamboo shoots briefly, then add water to make the stock.
Mark as completed

3

Add a pinch of salt and chicken stock powder. Simmer gently for 45–60 minutes.
Add a pinch of salt and chicken stock powder. Simmer gently for 45–60 minutes.
Mark as completed

4

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine chopped prawns, minced pork, crab meat, egg, minced bamboo shoots, cornstarch, fish sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine chopped prawns, minced pork, crab meat, egg, minced bamboo shoots, cornstarch, fish sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
Mark as completed

5

Mix in one direction until the mixture is cohesive and slightly sticky. Pick up and whack the mixture against the bowl to remove air and to make the paste more cohesive.
Mix in one direction until the mixture is cohesive and slightly sticky. Pick up and whack the mixture against the bowl to remove air and to make the paste more cohesive.
Mark as completed

6

With wet hands, shape the mixture into large meatballs – about 70g per meatball for 8-10 meatballs. Set aside.
With wet hands, shape the mixture into large meatballs – about 70g per meatball for 8-10 meatballs. Set aside.
Mark as completed

7

In a claypot or soup pot on medium heat, add sliced bamboo shoots and sauté on low heat for 5-8 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt, soy sauce and fish sauce.
In a claypot or soup pot on medium heat, add sliced bamboo shoots and sauté on low heat for 5-8 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt, soy sauce and fish sauce.
Mark as completed

8

Strain the soup stock to remove the prawn shells and pork bones.
Strain the soup stock to remove the prawn shells and pork bones.
Mark as completed

9

Add the soup stock to the sautéd bamboo shoots and bring to a simmer.
Add the soup stock to the sautéd bamboo shoots and bring to a simmer.
Mark as completed

10

Gently drop the shaped meatballs into the simmering broth.
Gently drop the shaped meatballs into the simmering broth.
Mark as completed

11

Simmer for 8–10 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through. Skim off the excess scum on the top.
Simmer for 8–10 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through. Skim off the excess scum on the top.
Mark as completed

12

Ladle soup and meatballs into serving bowls. Drizzle fried shallot oil and garlic oil.
Ladle soup and meatballs into serving bowls. Drizzle fried shallot oil and garlic oil.
Mark as completed

13

Garnish with parsley and serve hot with Nyonya sambal.
Garnish with parsley and serve hot with Nyonya sambal.
Mark as completed

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