Chinese mitten crab (Da Zha Xie) is a crab normally consumed in the winter, a part of Shanghai cuisine, the youngest among the ten major cuisines in China. Traditionally called Benbang cuisine, it originated in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, 1368-1840.

In the later part of 19th century after Shanghai became a major domestic and international trading port, Benbang dishes underwent some substantial changes by adopting certain merits of other cuisines.

They formed complex flavor structures, cooking styles and techniques. Shanghai dishes aim at lightness in flavour, beauty in decoration, and are often complex and designed to eaten easily.