Discovering the Culinary Gems of Chinatown: A Seafood Lover's Paradise

Chicago's Chinatown is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood, known for its rich cultural heritage and mouthwatering cuisine. While the area boasts a plethora of traditional Vietnamese restaurants, a newer establishment, Ocean Grill and Bar, is making waves with its innovative approach to seafood-centric dishes.

Elevating the Culinary Experience in Chinatown

Reinventing the Iconic Pho

At Ocean Grill and Bar, the classic Vietnamese beef noodle soup, pho, is elevated to new heights. While the signature broth is still simmered for hours, infused with the aromatic blend of ginger, onions, star anise, and black pepper, the restaurant takes a few creative liberties that set their version apart. Instead of the traditional eye of round beef, they use tender beef tenderloin, providing a more luxurious texture and flavor. Additionally, the noodles are sourced fresh from California, ensuring a superior quality and consistency.

Seafood Dominance: Grilled, Fried, and Wok-Tossed Delights

Beyond the renowned pho, Ocean Grill and Bar offers an extensive seafood-centric menu that showcases the culinary prowess of the establishment. From grilled clams adorned with scallions, crushed peanuts, and fried shallots, to charbroiled oysters topped with the same flavorful garnishes, the seafood dishes are a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality and innovation.Embracing the Chinese culinary influence of the Chinatown neighborhood, the restaurant also features a selection of lobster, crab, and other seafood dishes prepared in traditional Chinese styles. The whole crab, for instance, is expertly deshelled, coated in cornstarch, and deep-fried until golden. It is then tossed in a wok with a savory blend of oyster sauce, soy sauce, ginger, and onions, creating a messy yet delightful dish that requires shell crackers and plenty of napkins.

The Rise of Hot Pot: A Communal Dining Experience

One of the standout features of Ocean Grill and Bar is its embrace of the hot pot dining experience, which is gaining popularity in the Windy City. While the concept may not be as widely known in Chicago as it is in regions with larger Vietnamese populations, such as California, the restaurant's hot pot offerings provide a unique and interactive dining experience.The do-it-yourself hot pots allow guests to customize their culinary adventure, selecting from a variety of fresh seafood and other ingredients to create their personalized hot pot masterpiece. This communal dining experience encourages conversation, shared plates, and a deeper appreciation for the flavors and textures of the ingredients.

Challenges and Triumphs of Seafood-Centric Dining

Ricky Dinh, the owner of Ocean Grill and Bar, acknowledges that focusing on seafood is a more challenging endeavor for a restaurateur. Maintaining the freshness and quality of the seafood requires a higher volume of turnover, as well as careful sourcing and handling. Dinh emphasizes that without a steady flow of customers, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the seafood offerings consistently fresh and appealing.Despite these challenges, Ocean Grill and Bar has managed to carve out a niche in the Chinatown dining scene, offering a unique and elevated seafood-centric experience that sets it apart from the more traditional Vietnamese restaurants in the area. By blending traditional Vietnamese flavors with innovative seafood preparations and the communal hot pot experience, the restaurant has become a destination for discerning diners seeking a culinary adventure in the heart of Chinatown.