Quick answer: 8 Crabs brings properly fiery, air-flown crawfish straight to your door. Riverside Grilled Fish at NEX and Oriental Chinese Restaurant serve up dine-in mala feasts, while Kiap! SG offers sustainably farmed local crawfish for the eco-conscious. 6ix 6ix plates it up for the ’gram, and Golden Jade’s five-flavour spread feeds a whole table. A shiok option for every craving and budget.
You’re looking for a shareable meal that feels slightly special, but you need a plan that handles short attention spans and wobbly aircon preferences. Mala crawfish is the answer: a hands-on, messy, laughter-filled centrepiece that turns a regular dinner into the story everyone retells. We’ve rounded up the spots where the food and the space both work for families.
One of 51 guides in Best Chinese Food & Dim Sum in Singapore — worth a look if you are still weighing options.
8 Crabs
You’re planning a home gathering and want a centrepiece that arrives already packing heat—8 Crabs has got that sorted. They fly in China Crawfish (Xiao Long Xia) daily and sell them in regular (1kg for 3–5 pax) and large (2kg for 5–7) portions. The extra spicy mala flavour is the main event, but garlic butter and other variants are there if someone in the group cannot tahan the heat.
No need to dress up; they deliver nationwide from their base at 80 Playfair Road #02-19 Kapo Factory, Lobby B, Singapore 367998. WhatsApp them at +65 8725 0725. Opening hours are Monday–Thursday 6–8 PM and Friday–Sunday 6–10 PM. Prices stay kind on the wallet for what you get. 8 Crabs
Best for the person who wants a legit mala crawfish fix at home, zero fuss. The kind where you set a few cold drinks on the table, some gloves, and everyone digs in. We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
Order delivery for a zero-drama way to enjoy the whole crawfish experience at home. Delivery means no parking hassles or queueing. Just lay down newspapers, arm everyone with wet wipes, and let the extra spicy mala be the night’s main event. Perfect for a birthday dinner where pyjamas are the dress code.
Kiap! SG
Kiap! SG is the makan arm of Singapore Crawfish, so the crawfish comes straight from their own high-tech farm. That means you know exactly where your meal started—and it shows in the freshness. They do mala and Louisiana-style crawfish in sets: $79.90 for 2–3 pax, $129.90 for 4–5 pax. Sustainable, local, and no air miles needed.
Find them at 3 Shenton Way, #01-04 Shenton Foodhall, Shenton House, Singapore 068805. They run standard lunch and dinner hours—better to pop by and check. No website, so this is a go-look-see kind of spot.
Ideal for the eco-conscious eater who still wants their spice fix. Bring a few kakis and share the larger set—the vibe is casual, and the provenance of the food gives you something to talk about while you peel. Prefer your mala elements tossed in a wok? Our guide to Mala Xiang Guo Destinations in Singapore covers exactly that.
Plan a weekend outing when Shenton Way is less crowded. The foodhall setting gives everyone space, and you can point out that the crawfish were swimming nearby just hours ago—a quick science lesson before the meal. The sustainable angle might even make older kids momentarily put down their devices.
江边城外 Riverside Grilled Fish @ NEX
This one sits inside NEX mall at 23 Serangoon Central, B1-34/35, Singapore 556083, and it’s built for a proper sit-down affair. They do Chong Qing-style grilling, so the mala crawfish arrives with a deep, bold spice profile that makes you sit up straight. Grilled fish also on the menu for when you want to mix things up.
Open daily 11 AM–10 PM. Ring them at +65 6509 1064. They take bookings for dine-in, and the space is wheelchair-accessible—small touches that make a big difference for a family outing. 江边城外 Riverside Grilled Fish @ NEX
Suits the group that wants the full restaurant ritual—air-con comfort, a proper table, and the smell of grilled spice hitting your nose the moment you walk in. Go with people who seriously love mala, because the flavours here don’t play.
We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
Mall dining solves the rain-or-shine problem and puts a reliable toilet around the corner. Book a table in the aircon section, then let the deep, bold mala punch wake everyone up. The grilled fish option gives picky eaters an escape route, so everyone ends the meal on good terms.
Huda Restaurant
Huda comes from Beijing and landed at 56 Temple St, Singapore 058601. The crawfish here is $58 and prepared three ways: mala, garlic, or cold style. They also have Sichuan-style boiled fish if you want a second dish to round out the table. The kitchen opens from 11 AM to 10 PM daily.
No phone number listed publicly, but you can find them on Facebook. The portions are generous, and the Beijing roots mean the mala comes through clean and authentic—less about raw heat, more about layered spice.
Good for a solid Chinese meal that feels a little different from the usual Sichuan shops. If someone at the table cannot take too much heat, the garlic option keeps things flavourful without sending them running for water.
Turning a Chinatown walk into a crawfish pit stop is smart. The Temple Street location means you can let the kids burn off energy before sitting down, and the three preparation styles give you options if someone suddenly decides they only eat garlic today. Arrive early to grab a table with a view of the street.
6ix 6ix Restaurant
Perched at 23 Cuppage Road, Cuppage Terrace, Singapore 229453, 6ix 6ix opens from 5 PM and leans hard into supper-club energy. Crawfish sets you back $66 and comes in four styles: mala, thirteen spices, garlic, or chilli oil. The presentation is deliberate—plates arrive looking like they’re ready for the feed, which adds a bit of theatre to the meal.
Visit their site at 6ix 6ix Restaurant. No phone listed, so walk in or book online. It’s the kind of place where a late-night catch-up feels just right, with ambient lighting and a crowd that’s there for the whole experience, not just the food.
Hit this one when you want to dress up a little, take some photos, and have a meal that feels like an event. The mala is punchy enough, but the whole package—setting, styling, spice—makes the outing feel special.
For a supper that feels like a night out, aim for a later arrival when the terrace lights come on. The deliberate presentation turns every plate into a mini photo opportunity—ideal if you’ve got a teen who lives for the feed. The four style choices keep everyone happy.
Golden Jade Restaurant
In the Geylang food district, Golden Jade Restaurant dishes out five crawfish flavours: mala, black pepper, salted egg, and more. They do 1kg sets with proteins and vegetables so you get a full meal out of one order. The variety means even the least adventurous eater at the table finds something they’ll happily eat.
Lunch and dinner daily; check their Facebook page for the latest. They don’t publish a number, so best to go direct. Portions are known to be generous, making it a steady choice for group feasts where nobody should leave hungry.
Perfect for a big family dinner or a friends’ gathering where people have different spice tolerance. Get a couple of flavours across the table, and everyone’s happy.
Geylang after dark is an experience in itself, and this spot wraps the chaos into a manageable meal. The five flavours mean even the most cautious eater finds something, and the set meals take care of the whole family without anyone having to share too much. Go on a weeknight when the crowds are thinner.
Oriental Chinese Restaurant
Right in Chinatown at 193, 195, 197 New Bridge Rd, Singapore 059425, Oriental Chinese Restaurant runs from 11 AM till late. Their crawfish uses Shi San Xiang—thirteen spices—with a mala kick, and it’s priced at $21 for a small portion and $38 for a medium. That’s a rare find for a sit-down meal with this level of flavour.
Browse their menu at orientalchineserestaurant.com. The space blends Northeastern and Sichuan styles and doesn’t try too hard—just solid seafood and barbecued skewers that make you want to order another round.
Go here when budget matters but you still want the real thing. The smaller plate lets you try without committing to a big set, and the Chinatown location makes it easy to slot into a night of exploring.
We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
For those who want their mala swimming in a rich soup, we’ve also rounded up the Finest Mala Steamboat Experiences in Singapore.
How to choose
Think about where you’ll actually be eating. 8 Crabs is built for home delivery, so you can skip the travel and the queue. Kiap! SG gives you a dine-in option with the knowledge your meal was farmed locally and sustainably. Riverside Grilled Fish and Oriental Chinese Restaurant are full restaurant experiences—one inside a mall, the other in the heart of Chinatown.
Spice tolerance matters too. 8 Crabs’ extra spicy mala will challenge even seasoned chilli lovers, while Golden Jade’s five flavours let you pick something gentler like salted egg. Huda’s Beijing-style mala is aromatic more than aggressive, and 6ix 6ix’s sauces go deep without obliterating your tastebuds.
Portion size and price vary widely. Oriental Chinese starts at $21 for a small plate, perfect for a solo heat test. 8 Crabs’ 1kg pot feeds a few friends affordably. Kiap! SG’s sets climb to $129.90 for a big group. Decide how many people and how much you want to spend, and pick accordingly.
| Name | Flavour Options | Price Signal | Dining Style | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Crabs | Mala, garlic butter | Affordable | Delivery | Air-flown daily, high ratings |
| Kiap! SG | Mala, Louisiana-style | $79.90 (2-3 pax) / $129.90 (4-5 pax) | Dine-in | Sustainably farmed local crawfish |
| Riverside Grilled Fish @ NEX | Mala, grilled fish | Check with restaurant | Dine-in, takeaway, delivery | Chong Qing-style grilling |
| Huda Restaurant | Mala, garlic, cold | $58 | Dine-in | Beijing-origin authentic flavours |
| 6ix 6ix Restaurant | Mala, thirteen spices, garlic, chilli oil | $66 | Dine-in, supper club vibe | Instagram-worthy presentation |
| Golden Jade Restaurant | Mala, black pepper, salted egg (5 flavours) | Check with restaurant | Dine-in | Generous sets, wide flavour range |
| Oriental Chinese Restaurant | Shi San Xiang (thirteen spices) with mala | $21 (small) / $38 (medium) | Dine-in | Budget-friendly, Chinatown location |
Summary
Whether you’re ordering in or heading out, Singapore’s mala crawfish scene delivers heat and heart. From air-flown luxury to sustainable local farming, these seven spots prove that a good chilli-led crustacean feast is never far away. Pick your poison—just remember to have a cold drink ready.
Details can change, so always confirm with the business before heading down.
We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
Frequently asked questions
Sometimes you just need a straightforward, flavour-packed meal that doesn’t demand a special occasion. The smaller portion sizes mean you can order a few to sample, which suits families who like to try a bit of everything. Chinatown’s buzz adds a free side of atmosphere.
What is mala crawfish exactly?
It’s freshwater crawfish cooked in Sichuan mala spices—numbing, fiery, and deeply savoury. The dish fuses Chinese spice profiles with seafood, popular for sharing among friends who love a bold kick.
Can I adjust the spice level when ordering?
Some places like 8 Crabs offer an extra spicy option, while others like Golden Jade have non-mala flavours (salted egg, garlic) if you want to dial it down. It’s best to ask the restaurant directly when ordering.
Which spot is best for home delivery?
8 Crabs is built entirely around delivery, with daily air-flown crawfish and specific weekend and weekday delivery windows. You order online or via WhatsApp and wait for the feast to show up.
Are any of these places using locally farmed crawfish?
Yes, Kiap! SG sources from Singapore Crawfish’s own farm, so the crawfish are local and sustainably raised. It’s a farm-to-table approach that cuts down on food miles.
Do I need to book in advance?
For dine-in places like Riverside Grilled Fish or 6ix 6ix, it’s wise to book during peak hours, especially on weekends. Delivery-focused 8 Crabs also operates within set time slots, so order early.
What’s a good budget-friendly option for one or two people?
Oriental Chinese Restaurant offers a small crawfish plate at $21, which is about as affordable as it gets for a proper sit-down portion. Pair it with skewers for a light but shiok meal.
