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Published: July 18th 2011
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Crab. Stomachs full of crab. That’s the general view around the table at Siam City Hotel’s Lin Fa Chinese restaurant on the night of our office crab-a-thon. Full stomachs and some very satisfied faces. The occasional sigh of pleasure escapes our lips but otherwise we’re all just sitting, staring at the lazy-Suzy in the middle of the table which is barely visible under the carpet of plates that once held succulent Alaskan King Crab legs, deep fried Soft-Shelled Crab, duck, vegetables, shrimp and an assortment of other delicious dishes that didn’t stand a chance against us and our over-excited appetites.
I’ve skipped a couple hours though, let me rewind to about 5.30 of the same evening. Jason, our GM, excitedly repeating “crab-a-thon! crab-a-thon!” as we packed our bags, shut down our computers and closed the office. All too slowly. There were a few of the girls who weren’t totally sold on the idea of a crab-a-thon though, not that it mattered, you were either going, or you were going, so, they went. I for one couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to go, but then, I do like my crab, and the one meal I’d had at Lin Fa at the
very beginning of my internship had been delicious and I was anxious to get back there. It’s also very possible that some of Jason’s excitement had become contagious and spread, not quite like wildfire but certainly enough to get us moving a bit faster.
As we hit the road I was instantly suspicious, there was barely any traffic to speak of, despite the road works and the fact that it was the beginning of a long weekend; the roads should have been rammed. All of us in the car commented on our good fortune, not believing our luck, until it changed. Not 5km from the hotel and our beautiful dinner we hit bumper-to-bumper traffic. The feeling was torturous. I wont dwell on it but we spent the better part of an eternity (10-15 minutes) barely moving. Once we cleared though it was a matter of seconds before we were there, out of the car, into the hotel, at the table and sitting down.
I didn’t understand what was being ordered because it was all done in Thai, I just knew that somewhere in the rapid-fire order, there was our crab, although what I didn’t know, and probably for the best,
was the at some point before crab, the word ‘jelly fish’ had come into the order. Now, I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit of a texture-eater, I don’t like a lot of foods because they just don’t feel like they should be eaten, jelly fish ranks somewhere up there with tendons and tongue for me.
When the first plate arrived I knew I was in trouble. There, piled on the plate, was a shiny mass of wobbling jelly, cut into thin strips and spiced and flavored with some rather nice smelling ingredients, not that I could name any. This didn’t cover the fact it was still wobbling. Despite my attempts and putting it off, turning the lazy-Suzy so that it would bypass me and downright refusing it, I could only put this on for so long. After all, this is our boss’ hotel, one must make concessions. I put a little bit on my plate, which wasn’t easy as it kept jumping off my fork and put on my bravest face as I lifted the wobbling strip to my mouth. Surprise. The first emotion I registered was surprise, because it actually wasn’t horrible, the texture could certainly have
Quite a mouthfull
A mouth full of veg, pancake and duck. This was the best smile I could pull. done with some improving but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d expected, that’s not to say that I wolfed down the rest, I gingerly picked at the few remaining strips on my plate, but the point is, it actually tasted alright.
What followed was duck, first the skin, cooked until crisp, which we wrapped in paper thin Chinese pancakes along with spring onion and cucumber. Second, came chunks of duck-meat served with capsicum and other vegetables, this was accompanied by garlic-covered kale, then came the minced duck meat and deep fried prawn rolls. The mince was served by scooping it into a large lettuce leaf, which acted as a spoon. It was awesome! The next dish to come out was shiny, that’s really the first word that came to mind when they brought out the deep-fried salad-cream prawns, the ‘salad-cream’ was basically mayonnaise, none of this could be healthy but it didn’t matter, it just tasted so damn good!
As we all ate pairs of eyes would dart to the door between mouthfuls, waiting for the moment they would bring out that crab. Our wait was short as they brought in the soup, a lovely, thick broth with bits
of what I was told was the Chinese equivalent to Parma ham, called Yannam ham and tasted just as good and crab meat. It was a great introduction into the crab section of the meal. Having finished the soup we expected the next dish to follow in short order, but nothing was forthcoming. There was still plenty of food on the table though and though we were still saving space that didn’t stop any of us, well, maybe some of us, from tucking into the rest of the duck, vegetables and shrimp.
The Soft-Shelled Crab arrived almost unnoticed. In fact, it did. I was so absorbed in wrapping my duck in Chinese pancakes that it wasn’t until I looked up, an onion shoot hanging from my mouth, that I saw it. Deep-fried, golden brown and inviting. Trying to keep my composure, and without looking too hasty, I subtly started turning the Suzy, ever so slowly, I don’t go unnoticed. The dish was placed at the far end of the table from me, which meant it had to go past 6 watering mouths before me; chopsticks darted out, lifting pieces off the plate. The difference was barely noticeable though, the portion was so generous that there was enough to go around two, almost three times but still, people were holding out for the last dish, the one Jason was so looking forward to and had effectively made us anticipate with eagerness. The Alaskan king crab.
It arrived. A large dish bearing lovely pink pieces of crab leg still in the shell swathed in a white wine sauce that almost looked like clarified butter. In fact, there was a debate as to whether it was butter that was only resolved when the waitress was asked to ask the chef. To me though, it didn’t matter, it was delicious! I realize that this recount makes us sound like serious gluttons, and for a night, that is exactly what we were, but the sighs of satisfaction and loosed belt straps spoke louder than words and gluttony isn’t in their vocabulary.
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Xiomara
non-member comment
I'm vegetarian and good God that sounds divine. Not the jellyfish though, I'm impressed you tried ie!