Real crab in MDR?

[baelor]

I am wondering whether the crabcakes and other things that include crab meat (e.g., soup) use real crab or imitation crab.

 

I suppose the question could be broadened to any other food as well.  

 

Insight appreciate.  Thanks!

[footzz]

The only crab I'm 100% sure about was in the MDR and sitting right next to us

[HicksRA]

I believe it’s real crab when you can find some in the crab cake. 

[flamingos]

The crab in the crabcake and the crab stuffed shrimp appears to be real crab, tastes like it.  

[baelor]

30 minutes ago, HicksRA said:

I believe it’s real crab when you can find some in the crab cake. 

When?  That does not bode well lol.

[footzz]

20 minutes ago, baelor said:

I believe it’s real crab when you can find some in the crab cake.

 Anyone who's ever had Maryland crab cakes in Maryland would have serious doubts about the authenticity.

Edited August 10, 2022 by footzz

[smokeybandit]

It's crab, not Krab. Though not overly crabby. Tasty mind you, but not overly crabby.

[Tlbecker1]

I honestly don’t care if it is crab or imitation crab.  All that I know is that I always order the crab cakes and enjoy them.

[zebra36]

13 hours ago, footzz said:

 Anyone who's ever had Maryland crab cakes in Maryland would have serious doubts about the authenticity.

As a Marylander, I really don't know what they use. However, having tried them on a few sailings out of Baltimore, I stopped ordering them when on the menu. Seemed like they were using the imitation stuff as the texture was crab unlike.

[footzz]

17 hours ago, HicksRA said:

I believe it’s real crab when you can find some in the crab cake. 

Photographic evidence! The Chef adding 'A' crab to the crab cake mix.

[davy jones]

16 hours ago, footzz said:

 Anyone who's ever had Maryland crab cakes in Maryland would have serious doubts about the authenticity.

They really should not serve those crab cakes on cruises out of Baltimore.

[smokeybandit]

With all the mustard and Worcestershire sauce put in "authentic" Maryland crabcakes, it's hard to taste the crab in them or in an RC crabcake.

[FionaMG]

9 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

I honestly don’t care if it is crab or imitation crab.  All that I know is that I always order the crab cakes and enjoy them.

Me too. Maybe one day, if I ever get the chance to try a real Maryland crab cake, I will change my mind, but for now I will keep ordering them (I usually order two from that stock first-night menu).

[baelor]

So it sounds like there is disagreement about whether RC uses real crab lol.

[mets123]

1 hour ago, baelor said:

So it sounds like there is disagreement about whether RC uses real crab lol.

Right! Definitely maybe.

[baelor]

For the sake of being totally transparent, this question was motivated by a YouTube video I saw that reviewed tons of MDR dishes, and the diner cut into the crab cake and stated immediately that it was imitation crab based on appearance (and then texture after eating).  I wasn't sure whether the assessment was accurate, hence the question.

Edited August 11, 2022 by baelor

[Tlbecker1]

12 minutes ago, baelor said:

For the sake of being totally transparent, this question was motivated by a YouTube video I saw that reviewed tons of MDR dishes, and the diner cut into the crab cake and stated immediately that it was imitation crab based on appearance (and then texture after eating).  I wasn't sure whether the assessment was accurate, hence the question.

Enjoy your cruise and the crab cakes!

[ZoeyVictoria]

Imitation crabmeat does not agree with me.  I have always asked, but on more than one occasion I have been told it was not imitation and was sick an hour later.

[neverbeenhere]

Dungeness, you will not see in the MDR.

 

Have a steak instead.

[smokeybandit]

imitation crab is basically a fish Slim Jim

[Dan83]

I’ve never had a real crab cake from Maryland. However I love the crab cakes on Royal Caribbean. They can make them out of whatever they want as long as they stay delicious. 

[BirdTravels]

On 8/10/2022 at 4:37 PM, footzz said:

 Anyone who's ever had Maryland crab cakes in Maryland would have serious doubts about the authenticity.

Most "Maryland Crab cakes" in Maryland are really bad because they are cheap imitations like on the ship. All filler. Little crab. 

[rudeney]

5 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

imitation crab is basically a fish Slim Jim

 

Yep!  Or the seafood equivalent of the "meat slurry" that fast food restaurants use in their "beef".  🤢

[rudeney]

4 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Most "Maryland Crab cakes" in Maryland are really bad because they are cheap imitations like on the ship. All filler. Little crab. 

 

I have had some good ones and some bad ones in Maryland.  We have a local restaurant here (a long way from Maryland) that serves the best homemade crab cakes I've ever had.  They use a minimal amount of breading - just enough to add some seasoning and hold it all together.  They area seared and broiled at high heat so the outside is crispy but the inside is juicy and tender.  And of course made with real hand-pulled crab meat.  They aren't cheap - over $30 per cake - but worth it.  

[Homosassa]

For those who have never had a "real" Maryland crab cake: here is what is what goes in 1  and 1/2 lbs of picked crab meat (this includes the lumps from the back fin area and claws) to make twelve crab cakes:

 

1 cup mayo (Hellman's is preferred)

1 egg white (used to help bind those lumps of crab)

1 tablespoon parsley

1 tsp dry mustard

1/4 tsp cayenne OR 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

4 tablespoons cracker crumbs 

The cakes need to be refrigerated for at least fifteen minutes to hold together to stand up to be brushed on each side with butter and then broiled for five minutes on each side.

 

RCCL serves crab flavored bread cakes.