Lobster is one of the most popular types of seafood available. However, for those who aren’t used to preparing their own, it may seem a bit intimidating to crack and break down the shell before consuming. There are a few tools and steps involved in this process, but once it’s complete, you can enjoy tons of delicious and flavorful meat. Here’s a guide that every seafood lover should know before preparing lobster.

A Guide to Cracking & Enjoying Lobster

Supplies

To get the most meat out of a lobster, it helps to have specialized tools. Seafood scissors, crackers, and picks can help you break the shells and scrape out all the contents. It also helps to get a bowl ready to collect all the pieces. Have a bib or several napkins on hand, since the process could get messy.

Separation

The claws, tail, and body of the lobster all contain rich meat. To access it, start by twisting or cutting away each of these limbs. Then, use a cracker to break the shell of each claw. Pull out the meat with a pick or small fork.

With the tail, you should be able to insert your fork into the flesh and pull it out in one piece. For the body, crack it in the middle, and use a small fork to extract the contents. Remove black veins or tomalley—the digestive gland—around the meat, clean up a bit, and enjoy your seafood dish!

If you love lobster or any other type of seafood, check out the selection at Atlantis Seafood & Steak in Honolulu, HI. This restaurant offers a huge variety of delicious dishes including Hawaiian poke, prime ribs, crabmeat pasta, and fresh lobster. They’re stocked full of quality, locally sourced ingredients for an optimal dining experience. They also offer two private dining rooms to host parties and events at your convenience. Check out their menu online or call (808) 922-6868 to book a reservation.