For those of you who’ve read this blog for a while, you might know that good food is one of the few things that can rival my love for a good fit & flare dress! One day, while in a late-night hungry stupor, Nick stumbled down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos that led him to a channel called Strictly Dumpling by Mike Chen. And that was the beginning of many takeout nights at home where we sat and ate vicariously through Mike’s videos of delicious food (lots filmed in NYC, CA, Toronto, Singapore…). He also does Asian home-cooking tutorials, so be sure to subscribe or follow on FB if you share similar tastes!
We became fast foodie friends with Mike, so when he was visiting Boston and hungry for seafood, we had to show him around some of our favorite local spots! I become so awkward in front of video cameras, so thank goodness for all the food in this video – I could just keep chewing, nodding, and smiling : )
Two of the spots in this video are highlighted in my Boston guide, and the third is a Chinatown hole-in-the-wall that you can try if you’re in the area and feeling adventurous!
Neptune Oyster – This place is touristy but is not a tourist trap IMO, since the food is always good! In addition to the Boston classics shown in the video, they also have a good raw bar selection with fresh oysters, hot entrees, and daily specials (lobster spaghettini or uni bucatini, anyone?). I’d suggest going on a weekday to line up about 20 minutes before they open, otherwise the wait could be hours (they do take your name and number down, so you can wander off to explore).
Hot with butter vs. cold with mayo lobster roll at Neptune Oyster (get the hot!) + johnnycake
The Daily Catch – Perfect wine and pasta date night spot. I often get hit with cravings for their fresh seafood, springy pasta, and savory sauces served hot, straight in the pan. Their “aglio olio” squid ink pasta with fragrant garlic and ground calamari is a must-have every time, and if you’re looking for something with lighter flavors, I like their octopus salad appetizer with olives! There’s three locations, but I’m partial to the cozy little Brookline one (FYI, they do not take names down there so you unfortunately have to stand in line).
Gaga Seafood – There isn’t any one place in Boston’s Chinatown that really stands out to me, but this spot has all the traditional dishes that I grew up eating (and earned praises of “authenticity” from my family visiting from Guangzhou). Lobster lovers can choose from over 4 styles of preparation, including their signature lobster over sticky rice (like the lotus leaf sticky rice packets at dim sum but bigger!).
In addition to (or instead of) lobster at Gaga, I’d recommend trying something from the “casserole” section of the menu. These are flavorful, braised Cantonese favorites cooked in smaller clay or iron pots. Amongst these, I like the traditional braised beef with tofu skin or daikon, salted fish with chicken and tofu, or petty much any of the tofu casseroles. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, the spicy salted dry fried pork chops are pretty tasty (or salt & pepper calamari, which has the same flavors)!
Cantonese stir-fried lobster homemade by mom vs. me
If you’d like to try your hand at making Chinese-style lobster at home instead, check out the recipe at the bottom of my older blog post! You can just buy lobster tails from the grocery store instead of whole lobsters to make the process much easier!
What’s your favorite way to eat or cook lobster?
Love love this video. I’m a huge foodie lover especially seafood and I’m drooling as I’m watching this. I’m visiting Boston next week so I’m definitely stopping by at least one of the restaurants.
Hello! I just visited Boston for the first time last week (I’m from Seattle) and was recommended to try Neptune Oyster. I didn’t have much time to explore the city, as the conference I was at kept me busy the entire time, but I agree that the lobster roll was absolutely scrumptious! I’ve tried them in San Francisco, but they were nowhere nearly as good as the warm one at Neptune. If you ever come visit Seattle, I, too have some favorite spots for seafood. Coincidentally, my family is also from the Guangzhou area, so we always eat at the best Chinese food spots. Cheers!
It looks good! Not a video related question, where would find a petite apron? I love cooking food but trying to find that apron that looks well on me is hard. Do you have any recommendation?
Your video with Mike Chen was outstanding!!!!!
Darling with such a cute outfit make sure you wear your lobster bib!
Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
Oh darling with such a cute outfit make sure to wear your lobster bib!
Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
Oh how fun! I’m super close to Boston (not really, just sorta… around 4hours drive) and visit here and there, but haven’t hit these spots. Must try!
XOXO //
SINCERELY OPHELIA
OMGGG these all sound so good! I would probably eat lobster if it was covered in dirt, to be honest. It’s just that good.
xo, Katie
Willow and White
OMG i’m so hungry now. 🙁
The Food Look Super tasty, OMG how much you had enjoyed over their, I am foodie and I love to taste around the globe, different cultures , tradition and lot more.
All of the food in the video looks so good, especially those lobster rolls! 🙂 <3 I remember the last time I was in Boston for only one night, but I still went to Chinatown to try some of the lobsters! They were so fresh!
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
Loved this post and I wish I could have all of these dishes! Sadly not enough of Boston’s seafood scene is gluten free yet. The Daily Catch was where I had my first date with my boyfriend and the seafood was so delicious every time we went but now I can’t have most of their food anymore 🙁
xx Yna from this is yna
Oh my gosh! I’m a huge fan of b oth of your blog and Mike’s YouTube channel. What fun to see you both together eating my absolute favorite food, fresh seafood! You’ve made my day! But now I’m hungry.
Jean, great video. I’m from Boston also. Thanks for showing me great places in the North End for lobster. It’s not that easy to get to the North End these days so it’s good to know where to go. Also the one style of Chinese lobster that is not done in Chinese restaurants is lobster Cantonese style that has the lobster sauce with ground pork and fermented black beans, to me that’s the classic Chinese lobster dish. I have to say I’m very lucky because I get to have it cooked that way every year for my birthday because my Dad is a great cook.
As much as I’m a huge fan of your fashion posts, I absolutely love your food posts just as much! Everything looks so good!! Speaking of lobsters, (I don’t know if you’ve gone yet or not) an Eventide just opened up in Fenway and the lobster rolls there are supposed to be really good!
Thank you for the dim sum recommendations from your previous posts! I go to Hei La Moon pretty frequently so it makes me excited to go try out Great Taste!
I’m a fan of Strictly Dumpling so I was excited to see a video together! I couldn’t find any of his previous videos in Toronto though…did you mean Vancouver?
Beautiful yummy!
Oh my gosh, I got so hungry watching that video. I also grew up eating lobster the Chinese way, but of course I love a good lobster roll now and then. You are totally natural on video, I have no idea what you were talking about 🙂
– Michelle –
Wow, this is a real lobstermania! 🙂 I love seafood so much 🙂
Btw, Stamford has amazing seafood restaurants just near the Atlantic ocean. Romantic atmosphere, delicious and fresh food – what else is needed 🙂
BeautyMarkLady
Hi Jean – I was hoping one day you’d collaborate with Mike on a food video and the day has finally arrived! Yay!! 🙂 Please make more food videos together! By the way, you are very natural in front of the camera, so don’t worry!
Everything looked so delicious and made me crave for some good seafood! My favorite way to eat lobster (so far) is by having a lobster roll. I’d like to find a good Chinese place here that serves it in the styles that you’ve mentioned. So yum! I am a little intimidated at the thought of cooking lobster, but it’s good to know you have a delicious looking recipe if I ever muster some courage!
The food looks scrumptious! Added the video to my Watch Later list, going to see it asap when I’m free!
Charmaine Ng