Thursday, 3 October 2013

[CLOSED] Celebrating The Seafood International 30th Birthday




Chubby Botak Koala survived 30 Course Dinner food tasting + Desserts. Yup, your eyes did not deceived you. If you think that you feel bloated after 10 course meal after a wedding banquet or sit down dining during Chinese New Year period, imagine by tripling that feeling. Oh my, what we do for the love of food!

The Seafood International Market & Restaurant (“SI”) is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in Singapore. For those that never been to SI, they are synonymous with their live seafood market and their Thai flair / influence in their dishes. For this special occasion, they have prepare a 30-course dinner of the popular dishes in their menu for you to savour with free flow of wine, beer, juice and buffet desserts.

Taking the first step into SI, you can see the kitchen on the left side, where the chefs work their magic. A few steps further, you can see the centre island where you will be spoilt with desserts choices. On the right, there are the fish tanks with the live seafood & fresh vegetables on display. Behind the centre island, is the wine showroom. The dining area is brightly lit and very spacious. There is enough space between tables and you won't need to squeeze in or out.

Where the Magic happens

Desserts Selection

Live Seafood

Fruits and Vegetables

Wine Showroom

So which dishes worth the space in your tummy?

The Oyster, Poached Tiger Prawn on ice and Shooters of Mango with Crab Meat Salad is good start. All of them are fresh and juicy, the mango in crab meat salad shooter complement the sweetness of the crab meat.

American Oysters

Poached Tiger Prawn & Gong Gong on ice

Shooter of Mango with Crab Meat Salad

For those who like tom yum soup, Seafood International Tom Yum Broth will tickle your taste buds. It has a solid tom yum flavour, with a nice creaminess and sweetness from the seafood. However, the spiciness level has been tone down compare to original Thai tom yum, so it is more acceptable for everyone.

Seafood International Tom Yum Broth

Deep Fried Marble Goby with Spring Onion Soya Sauce and Steamed Live Seabass in Thai Style are two fish dishes you can look forward to. Both dishes were perfectly executed. The deep fried marble goby is crispy on the outside, while the flesh remain fresh and tender. The superior soya sauce and spring onion on the fish, is just delicious. The steam seabass is steamed to perfection. It is fresh, tender with silky texture. The Thai influence is slightly subtle, without the mind blowing tanginess and spiciness, but the tofu on the side seems to have Teochew influence in the dish. Although it might be confusing on the taste buds, I personally like the execution of both the dishes. If I don't have 20 more dishes to taste, I will order a plain rice and happily enjoy both these two dishes.

Deep Fried Marble Goby with Spring Onion Soya Sauce

Steamed Live Seabass in Thai Style

For crustacean named crabs, there are three options to satisfy you cravings. The Signature Thai Curry Crab with Garlic Bread; Singapore's Famous Chilli Crab with fried Man Tou and Crisp-fried Soft Shell Crab with Curry Flavoured Chicken Floss Topping. The Thai Curry Crab is fresh, smooth and juicy, while the sauce is sweet, creamy with curry flavour. The crispy garlic bread is there to help you to soak up the curry sauce or as as it is crispy and light to complement the curry sauce.

The Signature Thai Curry Crab 

Garlic Bread for The Signature Thai Curry Crab

Chilli crab has always been a thorny issue to discuss, due to the subjective nature of this. You can ask 10 person on the road, most likely all will give you different answer. My take for the chilli crab here has a smooth, slightly creamy, eggy with subtle spiciness to coated the crab. The fried man tou is available to soak up the gravy. Personally I like the curry crab better compare to the chilli crab.


Singapore's Famous Chilli Crab

Fried Man Tou for Singapore's Famous Chilli Crab

Crisp-fried curry soft shell crab life up to its name. Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. Topped with the chicken floss, you can't really taste the curry powder on it.

 Crisp-fried Soft Shell Crab with Curry Flavoured Chicken Floss Topping

For non-seafood items, the Roasted Silken Chicken with Sesame Topping is something to look forward to. It has a thin crispy skin, while the meat is tender and juicy. The sesame toppings brought a different flavour to the dish. It is actually better then most of the restaurant, even other blogger said it is better than Poulet.

Roasted Silken Chicken with Sesame Topping

The Wok Fried Bull Frogs with 'San Bei' Glace is also another non-seafood option. Those frog legs are just succulent and goes well with the slightly sweet San Bei sauce (sauce made popular by three cup chicken recipe). Unfortunately this dish came at the later part during the dinner, if it came earlier, I will sure clean sweep this dish.  

Wok Fried Bull Frogs with 'San Bei' Glace

Well, if you are still not bloated at this stage, I suggest to leave some tummy space for the Stewed Rice Vermicelli with Seafood & Wild Black Fungus. The stock they use for this dish is just superb. If I can say this after trying more than 25 dishes. It might look like a simple dish, but the robust stock is the key to this dish. The Fusion of XO Chilli sauce with Penne Pasta is quite interesting concept. I admire their creativity and the XO sauce really got the KICK!

Stewed Rice Vermicelli with Seafood & Wild Black Fungus

XO Chilli Seafood Macaroni

For desserts, SI have extensive selection of Thai Desserts. I manage to leave a small space for the Green Tea shots, Herbal Jelly and Pandan shooters which all are good. I decided to skip the Red Ruby as I am totally filled to the brim.

Assorted Thai Desserts and Moon Cakes

 Green Tea shots, Herbal Jelly and Pandan shooters

Red Ruby

For our tasting table, service is good. Each dishes keep coming on regular interval. The service staff perform their duties without fail, I always get my drink filled, dirty plates replace and set the table properly set.

Overall, I had a great experience in The Seafood International. Although the dishes here has been tailored to the local taste from their Thai Origin, there are some excellent dishes as what I mention above. For $68.80++, it is really value for money. So what are you waiting for, get you pals together and head to The Seafood International Market & Restaurant. Cheers !!!

Thank you to Seafood International and Hungry Go Where for the invitation to this food tasting.

Food & Drink: 7/10
Value: n/a
Service: n/a
Ambiance: 7.5/10


The Seafood International Market & Restaurant
902 East Coast Parkway

Block A, #01-01 Big Splash
Singapore 449874


Tel: 6345 1211
Website: http://lobster.com.sg/
Op Hours: Daily 11.30 – 14.30; 17.00 – 24.00
Menu is available here: http://lobster.com.sg/30/

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