The short answer
Jumbo Seafood: what visitors should know first
Yes if you eat seafood and want a sit-down chilli crab dinner with air-conditioning. Book ahead, agree the crab size and price, and note that it is not for vegetarians or Jains.
History and context
The story behind Jumbo Seafood
Opened in 1987 at the East Coast Seafood Centre. Ang Kiam Meng took over in 1993, and the company's first overseas restaurant opened in Shanghai in November 2013.
Useful facts
Jumbo Seafood facts at a glance
- Location
- 20 Upper Circular Road, #B1-48, The Riverwalk
- Dining style
- Table-service seafood restaurant
- Price signal
- Splurge; about S$50 per person (Wikivoyage)
- Signature order
- Try: chilli crab
- Good for
- Family seafood dinners
Why it matters
Why Jumbo Seafood is worth your time
Jumbo opened in 1987 at the East Coast Seafood Centre. Wikipedia says its design drew on Hong Kong's Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurant, and that Ang Kiam Meng took over in 1993 and is now Executive Chairman and Group CEO.
It matters as the sit-down, air-conditioned version of Singapore's chilli crab tradition, which many visitors want to try but not in a crowded hawker hall. The page also notes it had five outlets in Singapore as of 2022, so pick the outlet you can reach easily.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Chilli crab
The signature dish, per Wikipedia.
- 02
Riverside location
Near Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.
- 03
Booking
Reserve, especially at dinner.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Chilli crab is the dish to order here. Wikipedia names it as the company's signature and records that a centralised kitchen was built in 2008 partly so that the recipe could be replicated overseas. It also says the dish lost a 2013 televised cook-off against Gordon Ramsay, which is a useful reminder that the brand is popular rather than undefeated.
Order the crab by weight and ask the price per kilogram and the total before it is cooked. Wikivoyage lists Jumbo Seafood among its splurge options, at about S$50 per person.
This is a seafood restaurant, so it does not suit vegetarians, Jains or anyone with a shellfish allergy. Older travellers may prefer the quieter hours: lunch is easier than a weekend dinner.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Reserve a table
- Confirm crab price and weight before cooking
- Confirm the price per kilogram
- Check shellfish allergies
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- 20 Upper Circular Road, #B1-48, The Riverwalk, Boat Quay
- Time needed
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Best time
- Dinner
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The Riverwalk outlet is on the basement level of a building, so check for lifts and a table near the entrance. Chilli crab is eaten by hand and can be messy.
- Tickets and access
- Reservations are advisable, particularly at dinner and weekends. Wikivoyage lists noon to 3pm and 6pm to 11:15pm and a price of around S$50 per person.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Jumbo Seafood
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The Riverwalk outlet is on the basement level of a building, so check for lifts and a table near the entrance. Chilli crab is eaten by hand and can be messy.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Jumbo Seafood vegetarian-friendly?
No, it is a seafood restaurant, so it does not suit vegetarians or Jains.
What should I order?
Chilli crab, the signature dish, per Wikipedia.
How many outlets are there?
Wikipedia says five in Singapore as of 2022, so confirm the outlet.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
