PPQ Dungeness Island - Millbrae — Restaurant in Millbrae

I heard about PPQ Dungeness Island from a coworker who mentioned their reputation for serving some of the freshest Dungeness crab in the Bay Area, so we headed to the Millbrae location for a seafood feast. We reserved ahead via Google and there were plenty of spots available on a Saturday. We ordered two Dungeness crabs in different styles, peppered short ribs, soft shell crab, shrimp fried rice, and their signature garlic noodles, making for a crab-centric meal that's all about bold Vietnamese flavors in a casual setting.

ATMOSPHERE: This Vietnamese seafood spot has a lively, family-oriented vibe think spacious dining room with simple decor, tables set for groups sharing massive crab platters, and that constant buzz from diners cracking shells. It's bustling yet comfortable, fitting 50+ people with a neighborhood feel near the airport, drawing locals and travelers alike for celebrations or casual dinners. Perfect for messy, hands-on eating, though it can get noisy during peaks opt for off-hours for a more relaxed experience.

MENU: The focus is on fresh Dungeness crab prepared in creative Vietnamese styles like pepper/chili, salted egg yolk, or garlic butter, alongside staples such as garlic noodles, fried rice variations, short ribs, and appetizers. Portions are generous and family-style, with seafood shining no frills like fancy cocktails, but solid for crab enthusiasts seeking affordable, flavorful options.

FOOD:

Dungeness Crabs (Chili and Salted Egg Yolk) We got two whole Dungeness crabs one in chili sauce that packed a fairly spicy punch with tangy, aromatic heat that complemented the sweet crab meat without overpowering it, and the other in salted egg yolk for a rich, creamy coating that’s indulgent and savory. Both were fresh and meaty, cracked tableside for easy eating, highlighting the restaurant’s crab expertise a standout for seafood lovers, though the mess is part of the fun.

Peppered Short Ribs The peppered short ribs arrived tender and well-seasoned with a bold black pepper crust that added a nice kick, grilled to juicy perfection without being too chewy. They paired well with the crab dishes as a hearty meat option, offering good value and flavor balance in the meal.

Soft Shell Crab This came as just one large crab, fried to crispy perfection with a light, golden batter that locked in the tender, juicy meat inside. It was fresh and not greasy, making for an addictive appetizer that we’d order again for its simple yet spot-on execution.

Shrimp Fried Rice This was amazing the fried rice was wok-tossed with plump shrimp, veggies, and egg for a fragrant, flavorful dish that’s balanced and hearty without being heavy. The shrimp were fresh and bouncy, elevating it to one of our favorites highly recommended as a side or main.

Signature Garlic Noodles Their famous garlic noodles were buttery and garlicky as expected, tossed with plenty of herbs and parmesan, but personally, I’m not a fan the heaviness felt overwhelming after the crab, though fans of rich pasta sides might love it.

SERVICE: Service was efficient and attentive our server handled the crab cracking and pacing well, with quick refills and friendly recommendations, even during a busy shift.

TIPS: Call ahead for large groups or peak times, as it can fill up fast near the airport. Parking is available in the lot or street, but Millbrae traffic can be tricky use rideshare if flying in. Prices are mid-range (expect $50-80 per person for crab-heavy meals), but portions justify it watch for add-ons to avoid over-ordering. Bring wet wipes for the crab mess, and pair with iced tea to cut the richness.

OVERALL: Was it worth the visit? Absolutely, especially for crab aficionados drawn to the fresh preparations and that amazing fried rice. PPQ Dungeness Island in Millbrae delivers solid Vietnamese seafood in a fun, no-fuss setting, though the garlic noodles didn't win us over. We'll return for more crab next time...

Came here for Mother's Day with a party of 15, booked over a month in advance on yelp. Was told the person checking us in was very rude and unapproachable, mind you I believe he is the owner. He kept telling my family member that he did not see our reservation, then finally directed them upstairs. Customer service 101, don't voice your mistakes to the customer, you not being able to find my reservation is an issue on your end don't make it seem like you are doing me a favor.

Stuck us in a small room upstairs then proceeded to switch us with a different party after seating us both and did not even swap out the dishes and napkins. Placed our party in two separate tables, we ordered the set menu, drinks arrived and the ice was minuscule and the sodas had no bubbles, the waiter claimed they were just opened from cans and brought over a can to prove it, the can had plenty of fizz proving that our drinks have been sitting so long the ice melted long ago and the soda was watered down, not wanting to be too much trouble we just kept our sodas. It took a span of two hours from the first dish to last dish, I ended up having to micromanage the staff on what dishes we haven't received as an hour passed after the appetizers before the crab came, then it took another hour for the rest of our dishes to come, I even had to ask two different waiters for rice for my kids.

I've eaten there so much I know the crab is usually last and the meats, greens, and carbs come after the appetizers seems like they forgot our dishes and were rude the entire time with no apologies and acted like we were a bother, typical Asian staff, unacceptable. The food was also flavorless, and my sisters and I all had stomachaches after.

Been coming to PPQ for years in SF and this location, always a large party, we will not be returning, for a dinner that costs us over $1000 in this economy, we expect better, there are plenty of crab restaurants in the Bay Area, many with better customer service. Also when I walked out of the restaurant I did notice that almost all the parties seated upstairs were of Asian decent and the parties placed downstairs in the main restaurant were of other races, so do you discriminate against your own kind? Placing Chinese and Vietnamese customers in an area with little service and accommodating "American" customers in the main restaurant. I hope not, especially...

I recently discovered the Millbrae location, I live in the city so would always hit up the Richmond spot... but I am so happy to go the extra miles for this location. First of all, I never worry about parking! The food is simply off-the-hook here! It's so damn good! You will never go wrong with a crab/lobster selection. I'm a purist, so the roasted crab is always selected. But love my peppercorn too. But for me, the stars of the menu is anything "salted egg yolk": tofu, prawns... whatever, it's culinary heaven, and the braised green beans are not to be missed. Yes, the garlic noodles are divine too, but that's a no-brainer must have standard dish on your order. Their salted egg yolk tofu are billowy, heavenly cubed delights!!! I simply can't get enough of them. Staff and owner are so nice there... THANK YOU for churning amazing dining experiences each and every time we're there. Your chefs and kitchen staff are the best!

The one thing I'm always torn about is can I bring a nice french baguette or country bread so we can dip into my roasted crab buttery sauce? LOL You may need to put toasted baguette in your menu! ☺

You also need to go to LA! There is nothing like this there. You'll be...