Cooked Shengsi portunids. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The picturesque Shengsi Archipelago in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province is one of China's best places to eat sea crabs, particularly portunus.

Shengsi fishers catch portunus from a nearby sea, guaranteeing freshness. Portunus are filled with nutrients and are delicious pickled raw, steamed, or fried with vegetables.

The Zhoushan Portunus, the most famous being the Shengsi Portunus, is a nationally-recognized geographical indication (GI) product. It is also among the 175 GI products in China to be officially protected in the European Union, according to a recent bilateral trade agreement.

A GI is a distinct label used on products that have a specific geographic origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.