Stanford Winter Break｜Exploring Crustacean LA 🦀✨

I heard the restaurant owner is a former Vietnamese princess—so I had to check it out! This spot blends Vietnamese flavors with seafood-focused fusion, and it’s quite an experience. 🍽️👑 First up: Salmon Cigar 🐟🚬 Served in a cigar box that releases smoky vapor when opened—so dramatic! The crispy spring roll wrapper holds smoky salmon bits and fish roe, topped with a squeeze of lime. Crunchy outside, tender inside—refreshing and delicious! 🍋💨 Next: Seafood Platter Highlights: • Top layer: Smoked salmon with yuzu, beets, and olive oil—a classic but tasty appetizer. • Middle: Lobster dumplings 🥟—good, but not mind-blowing. • Bottom: Fresh spring rolls—simple but paired with a tangy, umami dipping sauce (a signature here!). The star: The Roast Crab 🦀🔥 A house specialty! The crab meat is hand-picked, then wok-tossed with garlic, butter, and spices. No shell-cracking needed—just pure, juicy crab bliss! 😋 We paired it with their famous garlic noodles (was too hungry to snap a pic! 🍜😂). Overall, it’s pricey—you’re partly paying for the labor-intensive prep. 💸 But the ambiance is stunning: walls adorned with twinkling lights and fresh flowers. 🌸✨ Even at 2 PM, several tables were filled—clearly a local favorite. While I probably won’t revisit (budget-wise!), I’m glad I tried it. Not the most cost-effective, but great for a special occasion! Have you been to Crustacean or another high-end fusion spot? What’s your favorite splurge-worthy restaurant in LA? Share your thoughts or recommendations below! 🗣️💖 #RestaurantRecommendation #HiddenGem #VibeDining #StanfordLife #PhDChronicles #VietnameseFusion #SeafoodLovers #CrabFeast #GarlicNoodles #SpecialOccasion #LAEats #FoodieExperience #PrincessVibes #WinterBreakEats #FoodReview