Singapore Seafood…Slurp…Slurp…Slurp

Singapore Seafood is relatively affordable compared to other parts of the world like Europe and United States. And it can be very addictive. I could still vividly remember that dinner with my counterparts from London licking every drop of their sauced fingers and sucking on every part of that Chilli Crab in the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant (East Coast Seafood Centre).

They kept saying “fabulous food” as I looked at them with a laugh, although it took me a while to convince them to try out some of the signature Singapore seafood dishes such as the Chilli Crab and Curry Fish Head (must try for every tourist visiting Singapore).

The seafood dishes looked great to them but their initial reaction was that they were not sure of the best way to eat it. Well, I just told him the best way to enjoy the dish is to make yourself dirty – “Use your hands!” And Yes! There is no better way to enjoy the seafood meal.

Black Pepper Crab

If you are a person who is very gracious on the table manner, believe me, you meet your match while handling the Chilli Crab dish. Most people simply give up their table mannerism, let their hair loose and put their hands together to enjoy their seafood meal.

Chilli Crab, I would say it is the Singapore “national dish”. The dish itself has many “versions” but mostly it is packed with fresh ingredients which consist of ginger, turmeric, eggs, chilli oil, tomato and galangal. The entire ingredients mentioned are inputs which produce a strong sauce mixture that goes well with the crab. The end result – an irresistible Singapore Chilli Crab dish. There is one thing you better have – a tummy for Spicy and Hot food.

A nut cracker is also provided to handle those stubborn crab thick shells and together a few Chinese buns or French bread will be served. These breads go so well with the delicious sauce that you will want to ask for more to soak up every last drop of the sauce.

Fish Head Curry

Hmm…Chilli Crab…I was a humanities student and my friend was a science student back in our college days. But eating the Chilli Crab requires some techniques – a technical student certainly can do a better job!

Fortunately, Singapore Seafood has a less daunting seafood dish – Fish Head Curry. The dish is another of my favorite.

Like the name suggests, the Fish Head Curry is a spicy dish made using a fish’s head. The dish is best served with rice, while the ingredients are a mixture of vegetables cooked in curry gravy. Generally, we have two versions, the Indian (more spicy) and the Chinese version.

Unlike the Chilli Crab, Fish Head Curry is much easier to consume. For the inexperienced, you might wonder…where is the meat? After all, it is a fish head about twice the size of our hand. Well, you will be surprised! There is meat in it. The experienced will normally go for the fish eyes and the bones of the fish head.

Drunken Prawns

Normally I would recommend my friends to scoop the curry gravy into the rice. But if you are not into rice, you can always drink the curry gravy. However, Beware! Some of my friends have commented it can be quite spicy (even spicier than the Chilli Crab). You just need to be brave enough to take the first sip. Somehow, you will fall in love with the curry gravy. This is a dish you just want to try again and again despite the “tongue burning sensation”.

Oh yes! Before I forget, just remember to wear something dark while attempting Singapore Seafood dishes. The splattering of the sauce and gravy on your outfit will not look so obvious after the sumptuous meal. You can still walk away presentable and cool!

Just a note of added advice, Chilli Crab and Curry Fish head could be labeled as our national food. But there are also other seafood delicacies which are equally good and if possible, they should not be given a miss…

Jumbo Seafood Restaurant

Seafood dishes like Drunken Prawn, Butter Prawn, the close relative of Chilli Crab – Pepper Crab and Cold Crab should and if your tummy allow, be placed together on the table as well. I bet you will not regret the order. It is a whole new experience which will appeal to your taste sensory. And of course the list goes on …Baby Squid, Double Boil Lobster, Clam Shell andCockles; I doubt the list is ever going to be exhaustive!

My personal favorites for Singapore Seafood (Chili Crab and Pepper Crab):

Jumbo Seafood

• Blk 1206 East Coast Parkway #01-07/08, East Coast Seafood Centre
• 22 Kensington Park Road, Serangoon Gardens Country Club
• 30 Merchant Road #01-01/02, Riverside Point
• 20 Upper Circular Road #B1-48, The Riverwalk
• No. 2 Stadium Walk #01-05, Singapore Indoor Stadium
• 10 Changi Coast Walk, SAFRA Resort
• Blk 11 #01-16 Dempsey Road

Long Beach Seafood

• 1018 East Coast Parkway
• 25 Dempsey Road
• Jurong East St 21, Level 3, IMM Building
• 1202 East Coast Parkway, #01-04 East Coast Seafood Centre

No SignBoard Seafood

• 1 Harbourfront Walk #03-02 Vivo City
• Blk 1202 East Coast Parkway #01-02 East Coast Seafood Centre
• 8 Raffles Avenue #01-14/16 The Esplanade
• No. 414 Geylang

My personal favorites for Curry Fish Head:

Muthu’s Curry

• 138 Race Course Road #01-01
• 3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-056, Suntec City Mall

The Banana Leaf Apollo

• 56/58 Race Course Road