For this instalment of The Edibles, we documented the crunchy soft shell crab at Etsu Izakaya, Mermaid Beach.

Etsu Izakaya is a traditional Japanese izakaya intriguingly positioned on the Gold Coast Highway behind a set of old barn doors. Inside the atmosphere is stunning and the ambience represents a total escape from the outside world. Etsu’s dishes are designed to be shared and served steadily during the course of the evening. Hailing from Osaka, chef Arata Taniguchi has spent most of his career focussing on Japanese cuisine. The soft shell crab is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, Japanese rice vinegar, chilli bean sauce and chilli oil, then deep fried. The crab is placed on a baby spinach puree, sprinkled with salt and pepper and served with a fresh garden salad. Yuzu whole egg mayonnaise accompanies the dish for sweetness.

For Etsu Izakaya contact information and trading hours, check out our Stumble Guide.