The signature dish that built Mellben's reputation. The restaurant cooks multiple crabs together in claypots to extract maximum sweetness and umami. Thick springy bee hoon soaks up the creamy, savory broth. Reviewers praise the generous crab meat portions and intense flavor.
Tips from diners
Order during off-peak hours (before 6pm weekdays) to avoid waits exceeding an hour. On weekends, expect 30-60 minute queues.
This soup is best shared between 2-3 people as portions are generous. One serving easily feeds two.
A classic Singapore seafood dish executed with tender, fresh crab meat. The homemade chilli sauce balances sweetness, heat, and tang. Reviewers call out the firm, juicy flesh and the sauce that clings to every piece. Comes with pieces of crab for hands-on eating.
Tips from diners
This is a hand-eating dish. Come prepared with napkins or ask staff for bibs. The sauce splatters but the experience is part of the charm.
Golden, crispy prawns encased in a rich, velvety salted egg yolk coating. The salted egg yolk sauce clings to each prawn, delivering bursts of savory-sweet flavor. A popular non-crab option that showcases Mellben's skill with live seafood.
Tips from diners
Balance the richness of salted egg prawn by ordering leafy greens like water spinach or kailan on the side.
Mellben sources only the freshest live fish, steamed whole to preserve the delicate, sweet flesh. Topped with fragrant ginger, scallion, and a light soy glaze. A lighter alternative to the heavy crab dishes, and a signature way to showcase quality live seafood.
Tips from diners
Ask the server which fish is in stock today—seasonal availability changes daily. The whiter-fleshed fish tend to be more tender.
The black pepper version offers a more savory, less sweet profile than chilli crab. Cracked black pepper creates a robust, fragrant coating. The intense pepper flavor appeals to those seeking something bolder than the sweet chilli version.
Tips from diners
This dish packs more heat than the chilli version. Black pepper lovers should definitely try it, but beware if you prefer milder flavors.
Indulgent and buttery, this version of crab features rendered butter fat coating tender crab meat. Less spicy than chilli crab, it appeals to those who prefer creamy richness. Pairs well with steamed rice or bee hoon.
Tips from diners
Order a side of steamed rice or fried rice separately to soak up the buttery sauce.
Since 1993, Mellben Seafood has been a dedicated crab restaurant serving generous portions of live seafood in an open-air setting. The signature claypot crab bee hoon soup is cooked with over 20 crab shells to achieve rich umami flavors, and the restaurant is known for its 15 different crab preparations.
Arrive before 10:45am opening or after 9pm to avoid peak crowds. Even off-peak evenings can see 20-minute waits on weekends.
The restaurant is open-air with ceiling fans but no air conditioning. It gets hot during lunch hours. Bring a change of clothes if you're sensitive to heat and moisture.
Best experienced with groups of 3-4 people so you can order variety. Single diners will find portions awkwardly large.
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