Harry's Singapore Chilli Crab

4 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  1     

The Chilli Crab is very good although nothing else on the menu is and the cost is a total rip off. Beware!

May 26, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

I've been here a couple of times with my son. Sure the decor is terrible, the service so, so and the crab a tad expensive but that's the attraction! The QLD mud crab is absolutely delicious. We went with a friend from QLD This time and he was impressed so that's good enough for me!

I also have to add a mention for the salt and pepper calamari. Everyone at the table agreed it was the best they had ever had! I've sat in Raffles in Singapore sipping Singapore Slings so know that Harry's are the real deal.

Feb 12, 2012 

3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  1     

Today I dined with my partner there, 1 mud crab about 1.7kg, $79kg market price and 2 drink, they charge $210. I was shock. I should have been to a chinese food instead, So that I can have a lobster and other dish too. Harry is way too ripoff $. Never came back again.

Feb 12, 2012 

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  3     

Two of us went there for dinner as we heard their chilli crab is very good. When we were ordering the waiter told us we can get two small crabs (less than a kilo each and at $85/kilo market price, as all the big crabs have been reserved). It sounded reasonable, so we thought why not. Unfortunately, our dinner was quite disappointing. The chilli crab was good, but lack the oomph factor I was expecting. The black pepper crab... Instead of cracked black pepper, it was a thick black pepper sauce, not quite how I normally had it in Singapore, but it was alight.

When the bill came, that was a total shocker! Over $220 for the two crabs for two people! So much for the small crabs we were promised. By then it was too late to do anything but pay the over priced bill. Would I go back again? No way, I felt I was robbed.

If I ever crave chilli crab again, I would drive to Parramatta and go eat somewhere else. Much better crabs and value for money.

Nov 05, 2011 

3.5 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  2     

Went with a bunch of friends for dinner, ordered chilli crab, curry fish, sambal kangkong and roti.

I lived in Singapore for years and know very well what a Singapore Chilli Crab tastes like. I had no expectations that the chilli crabs at Harry's would be exactly the same as those in Singapore, but I expected the flavours to be somewhat similar.

The chilli crabs are quite disappointing- the flavours are flat, it does not have the richness that I expected. We ordered a spicy one and the hotness of the chilli overpowers everything else in the dish. The serving was good, meaty crab, plenty of sauce to dip the roti with. But the flavours were quite a disappointment.

Sambal kangkong lacks the kick as well. The prawn paste was quite overpowering too. Sambal means chilli, and we cannot detect any chilli in the dish. Maybe we're too used of eating spicy food and the spiciness in the dish has been toned down to cater to local tongues.

The curry fish was a bit of a disappointment too. The curry was good, however, there were only a few slices of fish piled on top a bed of onions. Once we went through the top layer, we could not find anymore fish- just onions. The dish was priced over $15 (can't remember exact price) and we definitely did not pay the price for a bowlful of onions.

I find it strange that the chilli crab was served with roti. In Singapore, chilli crabs are normally served with mantous (white bread buns), steamed or fried. Maybe Harry's is trying to introduce another Singapore/ Malaysian item as part of their menu. No complaint though, just a little unusual but the roti was good.

So the food was a major disappointment, and of course we feel that everything was overpriced once we were paying the bill. I'm sure if the food was slightly better we wouldn't have as big an issue in the pricings.

I think the only saving grace for our dinner experience is the staff. They were very friendly, very courteous, they attended to us without being intrusive.

Oct 22, 2011 

3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  1     

Went here with a group of friends and was so excited about finally trying it out. The staff were initially lovely and gave us our own room with a big table. Ordering was a bit confusing as the girl didn't speak english very well and there was a massive miscommunication with the order.

When the bill came and it was three times the price we were expecting, the staff were rude and defensive. The crab is sold market price by the kilo which is fine - but we were expecting the staff to let us know about how many kilos per serve they were bringing out. Apparently they can bring out any size dish they like - and not tell you.

Our issue was that the staff didn't let us know how much we were ordering. The menu was so misleading that despite the food being lovely, the way the night ended - and the cost of the meal - means I would never go back.

Oct 17, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

We eat at Harry's occasionally, usually when we have time to have a nice long slow lunch over several beers. The decor is average, the service friendly but awkward and the crab and roti are delicious. If you dig mudcrab try this place. If you are after a chinese meal, go to china town.

Mar 21, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  10     

I am from Singapore and for 15 years never had a chance to try this restaurant, we went there last night with a group of eight, we order a crab each although it's pricy but we did enjoy it. The roti and Singapore sling were so authentic a must try, cocktail price is remarkable cheap, Monday night was a bit quiet so the service was perfect. Wondering how the other comments criticise about the service may be it was due to busy weekends? I guess this place was very good for value for live seafood, not for those opted for cheap eats deal at Thai restaurant and mamaks!

Mar 08, 2011 

3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  1      Value  3     

Went here with some friends,as we wanted to try the crab and it was a bit of a let down,as every time we ordered the lady told us that is not enough food so we added 3 for mains,and then i new she was trying to suck us dry,so when the food came out which was OK,guess what we had too much food,and even the lady looked embarrassed.I am sure this place was good a while ago but it needs to be cleaned up a bit and get the spray and wipe out and use it.

Feb 28, 2011 

4 Below Average

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  4     

My bus used to always pass by this restaurant years ago & I had always wanted to try it since. I had then decided to try it out the Saturday just past with another couple. I have to agree that the interior can do with a little re-vamp as it is rather dated & the once used to be “sparkling restroom” as one past reviewer called it is now rather dark, dingy & dirty. The food was quite good however the service was appalling! Our group had been grazing all day & because of that we were not that hungry (we only wanted to try out the chilli crab) so we opted to order the famous Singaporean Chilli Crab, fried rice & salt & pepper calamari.

The waitress looked at us in disgust & told us that what we have ordered will only suit 2 people & angrily walked away. Our salt & pepper calamari was the first to arrive & then after 15minutes the crab followed. We had to ask at least 5 times before the fried rice came out & by that time we had already half eaten the once warm calamari & crab. I had also asked if the crab came with the dumplings/buns which are normally accompanied with the crab for dunking the sauce.

The lady came back with roti? After our meal we had to ask 3 times (if not more) to pay for the bill. After another 15mins they had finally brought around a bill with a credit card (they had brought the wrong bill to the wrong table!) We then told them this was not our bill and had to wait another 5 mins for them to bring the right bill around. Overall, we left with mixed feelings, although the food was good the service had really let it down. I think we will find somewhere else for chilli crab. If you do decide to go here be prepared for the bad service.

Feb 14, 2011