Mellben Seafood

It’s a place that focuses on seafood so price point overall is high! I’d say it’s a must to make reservations esp on weekends as it was kinda full when we arrived (we did make a reservation luckily)! The menu was quite limited on non-seafood items for a tzechar style place. Crab bee hoon soup - their signature dish. TBH the soup was rly good! Super flavorful. However there’s a limit on the noodle and soup add ons. Don’t quite get it as they were mentioning it depends on your crab size, but the add ons were served separately. Sliced fish caipoh - a more affordable and tbh easier way to enjoy steamed fish! Not bad! Butter pork ribs - creamy and flavorful, not bad! Sambal kangkong- slightly spicy, this was not bad! Claypot tofu - this was kind of plain. It was recommended but quite average. Overall, an okay place if you’re bringing a group of seafood lovers but if you’re looking for variety (including non seafood) then not so suitable!

Tucked away in the heartlands, Mellben Seafood has always been more than just a crab spot for me. I first came here with my mum and my late father and he absolutely loved it. Every visit brings me back to that table: hands messy from the chilli crab, dipping fried mantou into that rich, addictive sauce, and sharing a comforting claypot crab bee hoon soup. The food is genuinely outstanding, but what makes it unforgettable are the memories attached to it. It’s rare for a restaurant to hold that much personal meaning, but this one does. Life can be bittersweet, much like crab itself, but some meals stay with you long after the table is cleared.

Added more food photos from my second dinner at Mellben, three months apart. The food remains consistently top-notch. I only recently discovered this restaurant and now I understand why it’s so popular. Every dish I ordered was absolutely worthy of a 5-star rating. The service was fast and efficient, making the experience even better. I had the stir fried kailan with garlic, creamy butter prawns, salted pork ribs, and black pepper crab. The crab was impressively large and packed with meat. I usually brace myself for black pepper crab to be overwhelmingly spicy, but this one was perfectly balanced. It was just the right amount of heat to bring out the flavors without overpowering the dish.

Melben Seafood has long been our go-to whenever the crab cravings hit—and for good reason. This well-established gem has maintained its consistency over the years, serving up hearty, flavorful dishes that never disappoint. Two signatures we always come back for: the buttery crabs and crab bee hoon. The buttery sauce is luxuriously smooth with a nutty depth that clings beautifully to every bite. And the crab bee hoon? Comfort in a claypot—thick vermicelli steeped in a rich, umami-packed broth that warms the soul, especially on rainy days. If you’re after a no-fuss, satisfying crab feast, Melben delivers time and again.

First day in Singapore and went to Mellben for an early dinner to beat the crowd. There are 3 crab meals you need to try but we can only order 1 so we started things off with the popular Claypot Crab Bee Hoon soup. You can select the weight of the crab depending on availability. Got the Signature Deep Fried Homemade Beancurd and Scallops & Asparagus with XO Sauce for some greens. A cold bottle of beer seems right for the moment. You can get a glass of water for free but adding ice will cost you a little. The beancurd which measure 3x1x1 is huge and chunky with a crispy texture on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. Its really good and a must try. The soup from the claypot carb is so rich and tasty, its almost a meal on its own. Probably good if paired with a cup of rice to soak up all the juice. Its one of the best crab meal I ever had in Singapore and I still haven't tried the spicy or butter crab meal yet. Payment is made at the counter after you're finish. Cash payment instead of card will get you additional discount. Digital payment not accepted here. Inside the restroom washing area is a picture wall of diners who FORGOT to pay and just walked away. Such a shame as this is such a great place to have a crab meal. Staff are so helpful and efficient so lets all play fair. As Mellben is located on the lower floor of an apartment residential block away from the Orchard strip... travelling here is a 20 to 30 minute taxi ride. Getting back is harder even if there's a bus route nearby. Best option is to book on a ride-sharing or taxi app. Truth be told.... after having this delicious crab meal everything is now downhill at this point. A queuing booth in front of the store tells you that despite its a big restaurant will lots of seating area... there's quite a wait during peak so try to come early and avoid the big crowd. If you have read my review up to this point.. Its a must-visit. Bring a couple of friends and order the Clay pot, Butter and Spicy Crab trifecta. A few bottles of cold beer and there you have... a very satisfying if not the best crab meal in town.

This place is my all time favourites to host my friends from overseas. Amazing crab bee Hoon - standards never dropped butttt the price is getting higher and higher. Must order extra soup (cannot get later, will need wait 30-40min). The soup is amazing… Ordered some old sch dishes like yam ring and prawn rolls which are traditional old favourites! :) my relatives love the salted egg pork ribs. Note there is no aircon here! Just old school restaurant under hdb blocks. Better to reserve. REALLY MUST COME! :)))

get ready to wait! waited for over an hour to get a table (walk in ‘Q’) and close to 30 minutes for food on a saturday evening. salted egg pork rib was nice upon first bite but the meat itself was a little dry for my liking. tried their spring onion & ginger live frog dish for the first time - mediocre, but i did enjoy eating the less chewy parts (for the first time as well). loved the chilli crab’s gravy! very flavourful, but the dish is definitely pricey. they’re prompt in refilling our hot tea beverages when asked for - quite a responsive service !

Claypot crab vermicelli soup ($190 for large 1.75kg crab) - Excellent. Large and fresh. Good flavour of soup. Good portion of vermicelli. Deep fried Soon Hock fish with Thai sauce ($81) - Good. Crispy yet not hard. Fresh. Mini wok venison ($40.50 for large) - Fine. Bunameiji with garlic chives ($24.50 for large) - Good. Steamed prawns ($42 for large) - Good and fresh. Shanghai cabbage with gingko nut and beancurd skin ($30.50 for large) - Fine but the beancurd skin was not so great.