Heard about this place, New Station Seafood, from a buddy of mine. He was going on and on about it, so I figured, alright, let’s give it a shot. Dragged the family along on a Saturday, hoping it wasn’t just hype, you know?
Getting There and First Look
Finding the place wasn’t too bad, actually. It’s kinda tucked away a bit, but the phone GPS got us there without any major drama. From the outside, it didn’t look like much, not one of those new, shiny, super modern places. More like a joint that’s seen a few years, got some character. We walked in, and bam, it was noisy. But a good noisy, full of people chatting and laughing, plates clanking. And the smell – it smelled like good seafood, that fresh, ocean-y smell, not that old, nasty fish market odor. Definitely a good first impression on that front.
The Ordering Ordeal (or Adventure)
So, we got a table. The menus were, well, they were menus. A bit sticky, if I’m being totally honest. But hey, sometimes the places with the stickiest menus have the best food, right? Our waiter finally came over. He seemed like he was juggling a million things, but you could tell he knew what was what. We asked him what was good. He started talking so fast, listing stuff, I barely caught half of it. So, we just kinda winged it and picked a mix:
- Some steamed fish, ’cause you just gotta have steamed fish at a seafood place, it’s like a rule.
- Chili crab, that’s my absolute go-to. If they mess this up, it’s a dealbreaker.
- And a plate of fried squid for the kids. That’s always a crowd-pleaser, keeps them quiet for a bit.
Then the waiting game started. Felt like forever, especially with the little ones getting antsy. But the restaurant was absolutely packed, shoulder to shoulder, so I guess a wait was to be expected. Kept seeing these huge platters of food going to other tables, making my stomach growl louder and louder.
The Main Event: How Was the Grub?
Alright, so the food finally started to roll out. First thing to hit the table was the steamed fish. And let me tell you, it was cooked perfectly. The fish was so flaky and tender, and the soy sauce dressing they put on it was just right, not too salty, not too bland. A real good start. Then came the chili crab. This, my friends, was the star of the show. The sauce was amazing – rich, a good kick of spice, but also a little bit sweet. Perfect for soaking up with those fried mantou buns they brought alongside. My hands were a complete mess by the end, but I didn’t even care. It was that good. The fried squid was crispy, not a bit greasy, and the kids pretty much inhaled it. So, thumbs up on that too.
We also grabbed some greens, I think it was stir-fried kangkong with garlic. Simple dish, but they did it well. Honestly, everything tasted super fresh. You can always tell when seafood’s been sitting around, and this stuff was definitely top-notch quality.
Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts
By the time we were done, we were all completely stuffed. Like, Thanksgiving dinner full. The bill came, and yeah, it wasn’t exactly cheap, but considering the mountain of seafood we ate and how good it was, I wasn’t complaining. Felt like we got our money’s worth. The service, even though it was a bit chaotic with how busy it was, was pretty efficient. They were quick to clear empty plates and got us drink refills without us having to wave our arms around like maniacs.
So, would I go back? Yeah, I definitely think I would. It’s not the kind of place you’d take someone for a quiet, fancy dinner, that’s for sure. It’s loud, it’s a bit messy, but for a proper, satisfying seafood feast with your family or a bunch of friends, it absolutely nails it. It’s got that old-school, no-frills, authentic feel. Kinda reminds me of these little hole-in-the-wall spots I used to go to way back when, before every restaurant started trying to be so trendy and polished.
Funny thing, as we were leaving, I saw this older guy, probably the owner, just standing near the kitchen, watching everything. Not saying much, just observing, making sure things were running. Kinda like an old ship captain surveying his vessel. Made me smile. Those are usually the places that last, you know? The ones where someone at the top actually gives a damn, even if the whole operation is a little rough around the edges.
