Yes, you can eat Chinese mitten crabs, but only if they are from safe waters and are fully cooked.

What are mitten crabs?

Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) are freshwater–estuarine crabs named for their furry, mitten-like claws and are native to East Asia. They have a greenish‑grey to brown shell and are now invasive in parts of Europe and North America.

Are they edible?

  • In China, mitten crabs (often called “hairy crabs”) are a prized seasonal delicacy, typically steamed and eaten in autumn.
  • The meat and especially the rich roe and “crab butter” are considered highly delicious and can command very high prices in East Asian markets.

Safety and health concerns

  • Raw or undercooked mitten crab can transmit the Oriental lung fluke parasite in regions where the parasite and its snail hosts exist.
  • In invaded rivers (for example, the Thames), some mitten crabs have been found with high levels of pollutants such as dioxins and PCBs, especially in the brown meat, which can pose a risk if eaten frequently.

How to eat them more safely

  • Only harvest or buy mitten crabs from waters where local authorities say they are safe to eat and legally allowed to be taken.
  • Always cook them thoroughly (steaming or boiling until fully done) and avoid eating them raw or lightly cooked to reduce parasite risk.
  • Limit consumption of the rich internal organs/brown meat, especially for children and women of child‑bearing age, when contamination warnings apply.

Quick Scoop

  • Yes, you can eat mitten crabs, and in East Asia they are a famous gourmet crab.
  • Safety depends on:
    • Where they were caught (pollution, local advisories).
* How they are prepared (must be well cooked).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.