Steamed hairy crabs. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

Wuxi natives are quite good at cooking hairy crabs, which is traditionally eaten in the city every autumn.

Here are some popular hairy crab dishes in Wuxi.

Utensils used to eat hairy crabs. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

Steamed hairy crab is the most popular hairy crab dish in Wuxi, as steaming retains the original flavor. Instead of using their hands, gastronomes like to use special utensils to eat steamed hairy crabs.

Spicy hairy crabs. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

Drunken hairy crab is also favored by Wuxi natives. Crabs are marinated in a mixture of aging yellow and white Chinese wines flavored with cinnamon, star anise, ginger, and garlic. The result of a few days of marinating is heady morsels that are silky smooth.

Orange stuffed with crab meat and fresh Gorgon fruit. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

Spicy hairy crab and stir-fried hairy crab in brown sauce taste a bit more spicy than the above two dishes.

Fried crab meat with egg white. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

Those who don't like whole hair crabs can try dishes made of crab cream and meat such as orange stuffed with crab meat and fresh Gorgon fruit, noodles with crab cream and meat, and fried crabs with egg white which are served on crab shells.

During hairy crab season, crab cream and meat are also used to make renowned Wuxi delicacies, including steamed juicy meat buns and yulan cakes.