Chicago — Giant Scallion Oysters & Vietnamese Dipping Noodles

Went back to Ocean Grill & Bar — last time I tried their Vietnamese hot pot (fun and delicious!). Their grilled seafood has always had a good rep, so this time I finally went for the grilled oysters. Went all out: XL-sized oysters, and wow, so satisfying. 🦪 Four oysters — plump, fresh, perfectly filled. The scallion oil was super aromatic, and the fried garlic on top was the perfect finishing touch. The dipping sauce was refreshing and unique — sweet, sour, spicy, layered. Never underestimate Southeast Asian dipping sauces — just like Yunnan people love their ", that obsession with flavor-packed dips? Totally universal. 🍜 Here’s a dish worth spotlighting: Bun Cha (grilled pork with rice noodles). I spotted it on the menu and immediately ordered — the plating and dipping-noodle style looked so familiar. The dipping sauce here is papaya fish sauce, paired with crunchy green papaya slices — perfect for summer. The noodles are thin, round rice vermicelli — smooth and silky. And the greens? Besides bean sprouts and lettuce, there was mint leaves — I was so happy 😭 In Yunnan, there’s a similar dish called — more sour, with Thai chili punch, richer in flavor. But getting something like this here, especially with such good noodles? Still made my day. If you’ve never tried it, definitely give it a go — perfect summer meal. 🚗 The restaurant has a big parking lot — super convenient. I’ve always noticed quite a few Vietnamese diners here. Now the menu even has Chinese translations. #ChicagoEats #ChicagoFoodie #VietnameseFood #GrilledOysters #BunCha #SummerEats 🦪