Hibiya, Tokyo's Japanese Restaurant "RyuGin:" Video Introduction

This video, titled "Japanese Cuisine—RyuGin Matsuba Crab Conference Report" (日本料理 龍吟 松葉蟹学会発表), was uploaded by "TOKYOGASTRONOMY." It introduces food presented by RyuGin at the "2016 World Cuisine Academic Meeting in Hakodate" (世界料理学会 in HAKODATE 2016) in September 2016.

RyuGin is a Japanese restaurant situated in Hibiya, Tokyo. The restaurant offers a range of Japanese cuisine prepared with carefully selected ingredients, not least among which is Matsuba crab.

At around 52 minutes, the video is on the long side, but there are dazzling skills on display, and a number of dishes using Matsuba crab. First, watch the video, and enjoy an introduction to the flavors of winter in Japan and the charms of Matsuba crab.

What is Matsuba Crab?

Photo：Matsuba crab

Matsuba crab refers to male snow crabs caught in the San'in region of Tottori, Japan. Female snow crabs are referred to as "Seko crab" or "Koppe" in Japan.

Snow crabs caught in Kyoto prefecture are known as Tsuiyama or Taiza crab, and crabs caught in Fukui prefecture are referred to as Echizen crab. As you may have noticed, the crabs are referred to by different names depending on where they were caught and whether they're male or female.

Snow crabs generally belong to the Xanthidae family of crabs, but in some regions snow crabs belonging to the Oregoniidae family in certain regions are also referred to a Matsuba crab.

A snow crab can be identified by its ten clawed feet, its long, slender legs, and its shell, which is small compared to its body as a whole. The crabs can be caught in the Sea of Japan's western area, as well as the area from Toyama prefecture north. They're also found in parts of the Pacific Ocean, such as the Sea of Ohkotsk and off the coast of the Sanriku region of Japan.

Tasty Crab Soup From the Shell of a Matsuba Crab

The video also shows delicious crab soup. Charcoal-grilled crab legs are added to stock produced by boiling the discarded shell of a Matsuba crab. You can almost smell the crab's fragrance coming from your screen.
[Video] 6:13 - Crab Soup

Shitamachi Katsushika Edo Dome – Seko Crab Beautifully Arranged in a Dish Made From Its Shell

Source :YouTube screenshot

Next up is a dish called "Shitamachi Katsushika Edo Dome" (下町葛飾江戸ドーム). This dish brings out the deep flavor of the Matsuba crab's female counterpart, the seko crab. The way RyuGin arranges this crab, with special tin tableware is nothing short of art. The dish is then carried to customers on a dome and platter made using traditional Japanese crafts, such as Wajima-nuri (a type of lacquerware from Wajima, Ishikawa) and Edo Kiriko (a type of cut glass from Asakusa, Tokyo).
[Video] 9:20 - Shitamachi Katsushika Edo Dome

Itsukiboshi, a Super-Sized Matsuba Crab

Next up is "Itsukiboshi" (五輝星). Among Matsuba crabs, these are some of the biggest. Their size is enough to be easily noticeable even via the medium of video. Arranged in its bowl, the crab sashimi is, in a word, beautiful. Served with crab miso ponzu (ponzu is a sauce made from vinegar and bitter orange), it's simply delicious.
[Video] 15:13 - Itsukiboshi

Enjoy Matsuba Crab Pincers to the Full with "Banshu-yaki"

Source :YouTube screenshot

This fried crab dish using only the pincers is known as "Banshu-yaki" (播州焼) at RyuGin. This aromatic fried crab has tones of yuzu (a citrus fruit grown in Japan), and is served with crab miso. "Banshu" (播州) is an old name for what is now Hyogo prefecture. Hyogo is known as the number one supplier of Japanese crab, and crab pincers are familiar to many as a Banshu specialty.
[Video] 18:50 - Banshu-yaki, Using Only Crab Pincers

The RyuGin Burger, a Decadent Hamburger Using Matsuba Crab

Next is a slightly eccentric dish, called the "RyuGin Burger." Matsutake mushrooms take the place of the bread, and Matsuba crab is used for the patty. Have you ever heard of such a decadent burger? What makes this burger so special is the "an" (a thick starchy sauce) made using Matsuba crab stock, which really brings out the Matsuba crab's flavor.
[Video] 22:03 - RyuGin Burger

Matsu x Matsu Shabu – Emphasizing the Crab's Umami Flavors

Moving on is a dish called "Matsu x Matsu Shabu." This shabu-shabu (a Japanese hotpot dish with thinly sliced meat and vegetables) dish makes use of stock from Matsuba crab and Matsutake mushrooms. The dish is full of special artisan touches, such as the use of a Matsuba crab's shell in place of the pot, and more. Once you start to pick up the scent of cooking Matsutake mushrooms, it's time to put the Matsuba crab into the pot.
[Video] 26:13 - Japanese Crab Shabu-Shabu

Wakamatsuba, the Irresistible Sweetness of Young Matsuba Crab

Source :YouTube screenshot

"Wakamatsuba" (若松葉) is the name for younger Matsuba-crabs, and when translated to English literally means "young Matsuba." These younger crabs have soft, edible shells. You can see the Wakamatsuba crab meat arranged gorgeously on its shell in the video.

Shirasu – Stunning Deep Fried Wakamatsuba Crab Tempura

"Shirasu" (白砂) refers to Wakamatsuba crab tempura (a type of deep frying technique using batter). Every single detail—not just the batter that envelops the Wakamatsuba crab, but the method and timing of the boiling and deep frying stages, and type of oil used—has been honed to a fine-art.
[Video] 33:45 - Matsuba Crab Tempura

The Matsuba crab and Matsutake mushroom tempura rice bowl is not to be missed, either!

Anrakuyaki – Bringing Out the Irresistibly Rich Flavor of Crab Miso and Cheese

Anrakuyaki (安楽焼) is a dish that combines the rich flavors of crab miso and caciocavallo cheese. The melted cheese is sure to get your tastebuds tingling. The flavor is improved even further with "uchiko" and "sotoko," the Seko crab's eggs.
[Video] 38:43 - Japanese Crab and Cheese "Anrakuyaki"

Matsuba Seiko – A Combination of the Crab's Umami Flavors and Matsutake Mushrooms

Source :YouTube screenshot

"Matsuba Seiko" (松葉聖子) is a rice dish with Seko crab and Matsutake mushrooms. You can enjoy every part of the Seko crab with this dish, along with the Matsutake mushrooms, which are cut into bite-size pieces.
[Video] 44:53 - A Final Dish with Japanese Crab and Matsutake Mushrooms

You can watch the Matsuba Seiko being prepared with all the ingredients in a single pot in the video. Notice the use of truffles to round the dish off.

Summary of Japanese Restaurant RyuGin – A Wide Range of Luxurious Matsuba Crab Dishes

Matsuba crab can be eaten in a variety of ways, including as sashimi, sukiyaki, char-grilled, and roasted in its shell. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Matsuba crab is essential to any conversation about Japanese cuisine.

Next time you visit Japan, be it for sightseeing or other reasons, why not try a dish made with Matsuba crab? If you plan to eat at "RyuGin," we recommend you book in advance. The Matsuba crab with Japanese-grown Matsutake costs around ¥100,000, (before tax), but prices can vary according to the market. These truly sumptuous dishes are a veritable art-form. If you've got a big budget, we recommend giving it a try.

【Official Website】Japanese Restaurant RyuGin

【TripAdvisor】Japanese Restaurant RyuGin