Our first time in Xiamen. Temperature in the 90’s during the day, cooling down to the 80’s after sundown. Not nearly as humid as Shenzhen, with a welcomed warm breeze now and again. We chilled in our hotel room during the heat of the day, enjoyed a cold beverage while watching the sun roast all the tourist enjoying their boat excursions.
1st lunch at a restaurant serving North Eastern China food, as best as DW can explain to me. Love the three-wheeled delivery with the pickup bed out front. I want one!
OK, you threw me off initially as I looked at the pictures and was thinking, “Oh Lord, Xiamen, yet nothing looked familar compared to Penang’s Hokkien food”. Well, these did look like what one would expect to see on one’s dinner table in Heilongjiang.
This is what I’d expected food in Xiamen to look like:
We enjoyed a vegetarian lunch at a temple today. Contrary to my mis-preconceptions, we were not crowded shoulder-shoulder at communal tables on rock hard backless benches, ala SF hipster style.
Comfortable air conditioned room with friendly efficient servers who actually changed the pink tablecloths between covers. Per usual, servers were taken aback when we had to verbally place and pay for our order. EVERY other patron ordered and paid by their mobile phones by scanning the QR code.
We came for the experience, but almost surprisingly totally enjoyed the food. Dishes were simply presented, but well cheffed with quality ingredients. Each dish with its own unique flavor profile.
Tanks of live seafood and chilled cases of veggies greet you upon entry. Prices for each item clearly marked for each species, which is refreshing. Pick your seafood, the server whisks your catch to the chefs to prepare per your instructions.
Always fun to have a live seafood meal. The QPR was off the chart @ 199¥, less than usd$30. Not including 2 beer and a small Baijiu.
Fresh seafood needs minimal embellishments, simple is our preference. However, our meal lacked that certain finesse and execution was just a tad off. Perhaps our expectations were skewed (screwed?) by the pristine seafood and excellent prep in Busan.
Fortunately, there’s plenty o’ fish in the sea, so to speak. I know we can/will do better in the upcoming days.
Mid-90’s today in Xiamen. We took the ferry to an adjacent island at high noon and walked the beat (great street food!!) for about 3 hours. Back in the comfort of our air conditioned hotel, choosing our hotel’s 4th floor restaurant for dinner was a no brainer.
Started with two glasses of red wine “on the house” for being loyal platinum members.
The Price Fixed menu for two worked for us.
To start: house fried Shrimp Chips, Peanuts in Vinegar and Marinated Fish Skin.
Crystal Jade had spent many millions usd to open shop in San Francisco. Never gained traction and shuttered w/i a couple of years. If prices in SF were even close to menu here in Xiamen, the queue would’ve been 2 hours long. All day. Every day.
I’d checked the menus at a couple in Hong Kong, and the prices turned me off.
Here in Xiamen, even my wife agreed the prices are very good.
Btw, are you aware of the Grandma’s Home chain? Ate there tonight. Super reasonable prices and some good stuff on the menu.
I thought the food was well prepared. The XLB better than at the few DTF’s I’ve been to. My dining partner disagrees, but she’s Originally from Taiwan from Shanghainese root stock.
Prices are almost ridiculously cheap for a restaurant of this reputation and caliber. Although 2~3x ¥ what you pay out on the street.
Crystal Jade Xiamen menu for your review and amusement.
I recall reading something like this and going … … interesting… lol. Was hoping someone would describe it.
Wow 4 bucks for a small plate of XLB?! Nice! From a random menu from an HK branch of Crystal Jade was around 39 HKD (5ish). And looking at the old SF Crystal Jade’s menu … of 8 dollars …
