If you’re not already a crab connoisseur, the clawed crustacean may seem a bit daunting. There is a reason there are so many passionate crab aficionados in the world: not only is crab meat delectable, but the process of getting to it can actually be quite fun. Discover a beginner-friendly guide for tackling the seafood with confidence below.

How to Eat Crab for Beginners

Prepare the Crab

To start, separate the crab legs from the body by twisting and pulling them. They should separate with ease, but if you’re having difficulty, consider using your nutcracker. Most seafood restaurants will supply you with this tool, along with a mallet, knife, and picks, to streamline your crab eating experience.

Once the legs are freed, most people go right for the claws—this is where you’ll find plenty of tender meat. You’ll need to use your nutcracker again to break the hard exterior, but some diners prefer to use a mallet instead. Either will work, and after a few tries, you’ll find out which method you prefer best.

Retrieve the Meat

After cracking the claws, you can use a pick or small fork to free the meat from inside. Dip it in melted butter for a mouthwatering taste and texture. Some seafood restaurants also serve a variety of sauces alongside crab, such as garlic, curry, and seasoning. Once you’ve gotten all of the claw meat out, you can then move onto the rest of the crab, using the same pick or fork method to extract meat from the legs and body.

When Manhattan residents and visitors are craving seafood favorites like snow crab, shrimp, or crawfish, they visit Lolo’s Seafood Shack. Serving up Caribbean flavors developed by an international chef, this restaurant has something for everyone to enjoy, including seafood boils, sandwiches, and many vegetable sides to choose from. Browse through their menu online or call (646) 649-3356 to place an order.