Crustacean, a gem of Modern Asian cuisine with a blend of Asian and European flavors from Beverly Hills, California, has recently graced the shores of Jeddah, opening its first international branch at Jeddah’s Yacht Club by the serene waters of the Red Sea.
The dim lighting sets an ideal ambiance for special occasions and a glass-topped koi pond offers a calming sight for guests who can watch the kohaku koi fish as they dine.
On soft opening day, the mocktail menu was a highlight, featuring the “Desert Rose” — a concoction exclusive to the Saudi Arabia branch. Inspired by popular regional flavors, this exotic blend includes pineapple juice, rose water, homemade lychee juice, caramelized pear tea syrup, and mandarin juice topped with pomegranate seeds.
The An Sum family tree platter, representing the five daughters of the restaurant’s founder, Helene An, includes selections like marinated raw tuna, seafood dumplings, and crunchy fried chicken, each paired with a special sauce.
Salad lovers would appreciate the little gem salad, a refreshing blend of eight-herb green goddess dressing, crispy taro, hydro watercress, cabbage, and roma tomato, showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to fresh and vibrant ingredients.
Tuna cigars, a cold appetizer served in a wooden cigar box with dramatic presentation and a tantalizing smoky aroma upon opening, were particularly exciting. The cigars, with their crispy crust filled with feuillet de brick, avocado silk, onions, and tobiko caviar, are a delightful starter complemented by lime slices for an added zest.
A standout feature of Crustacean is its legendary secret kitchen, accessible only to certain chefs who can preserve the authenticity of family recipes. Dishes prepared here are delivered through a secret window, ensuring that the culinary secrets remain within the family. From this kitchen come the main courses that make up Crustacean’s culinary mastery for over 30 years.
The signature Dungeness crab, prepared with impeccable technique, reflects the seafood tradition of Jeddah by blending local and sourced ingredients, presenting a dish that's both indulgent and beautifully representative of the seaside locale.
The grilled tiger prawns served with Crustacean’s famous garlic noodles showcase the seafood’s quality and the noodles’ perfect texture and flavor.
The menu also caters to diverse palates with options like the salt and pepper calamari and the hearts of palm crispy calamari, which are a delight for both traditional and vegan diners, thanks to the thoughtful inclusion of spicy vegan aioli.
For updates and more information, check @crustacean_sa.
