How to Prepare Moreton Bay Bugs (& Balmain Bugs)

When we put together a seafood platter, we choose Moreton Bay bugs instead of lobster. They taste similar to lobster yet are about 70% cheaper at ~$40/kg. In fact, Moreton Bay bugs (and Balmain bugs) are a slipper lobster and are closely related to rock lobsters, so the flavour similarity is not surprising!
Moreton Bay bugs also have a higher meat-to-shell ratio (30-40% yield) than lobster and are easier to cut. They are more compact in shape, so easier to store too. They are caught on the northern part of Australia’s coast, mostly off the coast of Queensland.
We buy them pre-cooked (orange-coloured) which is the most common way they are sold, though you can get them raw (aka “green”, on the right below) and cook yourself (just boil them).
So, anyway, long story leading to a video for how to cut cooked bugs for a seafood platter!
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[@lamemechose7072]

I live on the east (Atlantic) coast of the US. The tops look like flat lobster tails. But the underside is terrifying! They do appear to be a relative of our lobsters internally & culinarily.

[@kadu21]

We use to catch these off the coast of Hawaii, japanese slipper lobster

[@steemdup]

The bottom of this bug reminds me of horseshoe crabs. The meat looks delicious and less fussy than lobsters. I have never seen these on the mainland, but I understand they can be found near Hawaii.

[@kylieknight2365]

Love our Balmain bugs xxx

[@thelaziestbee]

Geez, they look like these creatures from Alien 😂

[@Saw-Mc]

Still copying the Waitrose cards ?