Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles is a flavorful, mouthwatering dish that combines the richness of crabs cooked in coconut milk with crispy sotanghon noodles. The dish is enhanced with aromatic garlic and fresh spring onions, making it a satisfying and memorable meal. Perfect for special occasions or a hearty family dinner!

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 tbsp cooking oil

• 2 packs Knorr Complete Recipe Mix Ginataang Gulay

• 2 cups water

• 1 kg fresh crabs, whole

• 100g sotanghon noodles

• Cooking oil (as needed for frying)

• 6 cloves garlic, chopped and fried

• 2 tbsp spring onions, chopped

Directions

1. Heat a pan over medium heat and add cooking oil. Sauté the chopped garlic until it turns brown and aromatic.

2. Dissolve the Knorr Complete Recipe Mix Ginataang Gulay in 2 cups of water and add it to the pan with the garlic. Stir to combine.

3. Add the fresh crabs to the pot, cover, and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the crabs are fully cooked and the sauce thickens.

4. In a separate shallow pan, heat enough oil to deep fry the sotanghon noodles. Once the oil is hot, gently add the noodles and fry until they puff up. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.

5. Arrange the crispy noodles on a platter and top with the cooked crabs. Pour the coconut sauce over the crabs and noodles. Garnish with fried garlic and chopped spring onions for added flavor and color.

6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrients (per serving, approximate)

• Calories: ~600

• Total Fat: ~35g

• Saturated Fat: ~8g

• Cholesterol: ~100mg

• Sodium: ~850mg

• Total Carbohydrates: ~40g

• Sugars: ~5g

• Protein: ~40g

The Essence of Filipino Flavors

The Philippines is known for its rich and diverse culinary traditions, with dishes that are often bold, savory, and packed with depth of flavor. Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles exemplifies these traits, combining fresh seafood, aromatic garlic, and coconut milk to create a dish that is both luxurious and comforting.

Coconut milk, or “gata” as it’s called in Filipino, is a key ingredient in many Filipino dishes. It adds a creamy richness and natural sweetness that perfectly complements seafood, especially crabs. The garlic, fried until golden and aromatic, imparts a savory depth that enhances the sweetness of the crab. The dish also includes spring onions, which add a touch of freshness and color, rounding out the flavor profile.

The use of Knorr Complete Recipe Mix Ginataang Gulay helps simplify the cooking process while ensuring that the coconut milk sauce is perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of flavor. This makes it easy to achieve that authentic Filipino taste without spending too much time in the kitchen.

The Star of the Dish: Fresh Crabs

At the heart of Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles is the fresh crab. Crabs are known for their sweet, tender meat, which absorbs the flavors of the coconut milk sauce as it simmers. Using fresh crabs is essential to the dish’s success, as their natural sweetness and delicate texture are what make this dish so special.

The crabs are cooked in a flavorful coconut milk sauce, where they soak up all the savory and aromatic ingredients. The process of simmering the crabs in the coconut milk allows the shells to become tender, making it easier to extract the sweet meat inside. The result is a succulent crab dish with a rich, satisfying flavor that pairs perfectly with the crispy noodles and garlic-infused sauce.

In many Filipino households, crabs are a special ingredient often reserved for festive meals or gatherings. Their tender meat and delicious flavor make them the perfect choice for this dish, transforming it from a simple seafood meal into an unforgettable feast.

Crispy Sotanghon Noodles: A Perfect Contrast

What sets Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles apart from other seafood dishes is the addition of crispy sotanghon noodles. Sotanghon noodles, also known as glass noodles, are thin, translucent noodles made from mung bean starch. They are often used in Filipino soups and stir-fries, but in this dish, they’re deep-fried until crispy, adding a delightful texture that contrasts beautifully with the tender crab and creamy coconut milk sauce.

The crispy sotanghon noodles are the perfect vessel for soaking up the rich, flavorful coconut sauce, creating a satisfying mix of textures in each bite. As you bite into the noodles, you’ll experience the crispy exterior followed by the soft, chewy texture of the noodles inside, which have absorbed all the savory goodness from the coconut sauce. The noodles also act as a base for the crabs, providing a crunchy foundation for the tender crab meat.

The crispy noodles also add visual appeal to the dish. Their golden color and light texture make them a beautiful contrast against the rich, creamy crab, making Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

The Aromatics That Bring It All Together

One of the most important elements in Filipino cooking is the use of garlic. Garlic is a foundational ingredient in many dishes, providing a savory and aromatic base that enhances the overall flavor. In Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles, the garlic is sautéed until golden brown, releasing its full, fragrant aroma and adding a deep, savory flavor to the dish.

The fried garlic is then sprinkled on top of the crabs and noodles, giving the dish an extra layer of flavor and texture. The crispiness of the garlic complements the crunch of the noodles and the richness of the crab, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The garlic not only enhances the taste but also adds an inviting aroma that fills the kitchen, making the dish even more irresistible.

Spring onions are used as a garnish, adding a burst of color and freshness. Their mild, slightly sweet flavor contrasts nicely with the richness of the coconut milk and the savory garlic, making them the perfect finishing touch to the dish.

A Perfect Dish for Special Occasions

Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles is a showstopper of a dish, making it perfect for special occasions. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a holiday gathering, or enjoying a family reunion, this dish is sure to impress your guests with its bold flavors and stunning presentation.

The combination of fresh crab, savory garlic, and creamy coconut milk is not only indulgent but also offers a taste of the Philippines’ vibrant culinary heritage. Paired with crispy noodles and garnished with aromatic fried garlic and spring onions, it’s a meal that feels both special and comforting. It’s a dish that brings people together, creating moments of shared enjoyment as everyone savors the delicious flavors and textures.

A Hearty and Satisfying Meal

Aside from being perfect for special occasions, Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles also makes for a hearty family dinner. The rich, flavorful coconut milk sauce and tender crab meat are filling enough to serve as a main course, while the crispy noodles add texture and substance to the dish. This makes it a complete meal that satisfies the stomach and delights the taste buds.

The dish’s rich, comforting flavors and varied textures make it a satisfying meal that appeals to a wide range of tastes. It’s indulgent without being overly heavy, offering a balance of richness, sweetness, and savory goodness that is sure to please everyone at the table.

How to Serve Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles

When serving Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles, it’s important to do so while the dish is still hot, so the noodles remain crispy and the crab meat is tender and succulent. The dish is best served family-style, with the crabs placed on top of the crispy noodles and the coconut milk sauce poured over everything. Garnish with the fried garlic and chopped spring onions to add a burst of color and flavor.

Serve the dish with a side of steamed white rice or a simple vegetable dish to balance out the richness of the crab and coconut milk. A cold, crisp drink such as iced tea or a light white wine can complement the meal beautifully.

Conclusion

Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles is a flavorful, indulgent dish that showcases the best of Filipino cuisine. The combination of sweet, tender crab meat, creamy coconut milk, and crispy sotanghon noodles creates a meal that is both satisfying and memorable. The aromatic garlic and fresh spring onions add depth and brightness to the dish, making it a perfect choice for special occasions or a hearty family dinner.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply enjoy a comforting, flavorful meal, Garlic Crabs in Coconut Milk and Crispy Noodles is a dish that delivers on both taste and presentation. It’s a true representation of the richness and diversity of Filipino flavors, making it a must-try for anyone seeking to experience the heart of Filipino cuisine.