Lobster, Laughter & Love: A Pre-Birthday Lunch for Mum
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| 镇发活海鲜 Chin Huat Live Seafood |
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| Their live tanks of seafood |
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| Alaskan King Crabs? |
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| Our 1.42kg Australian Lobster |
It was my off day, or more like a off-in-lieu for National Day, I finally had some breathing room from the usual work routine. The skies were grey, with steady rain falling since morning, which somehow made the day feel even more perfect for something special. I decided it was time to do something meaningful: to pre-celebrate my mum's birthday with a seafood lunch at Chin Huat Live Seafood.
I had made our reservation for 11:30am, hoping to beat the lunch crowd and make the most of the quiet ambience. It’s been a long time since my parents had a proper seafood feast at a restaurant. They’re not the kind to indulge, always practical, always frugal. Even in retirement, they don’t splurge on "luxuries" like this, unlike many other elderly folks who treat themselves after a lifetime of hard work.
But honestly, how many more decades or how many more ten years do they have? I don’t mean that in a morbid way, just in the sobering reality of time slipping quietly past us. So this lunch wasn’t just about food—it was about giving them a little of the enjoyment they so often denied themselves, and creating moments we’d look back on with full hearts and full stomachs.
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| Baby Kai Lan |
Once we arrived at Chin Huat Live Seafood, we were promptly seated and handed the menu. The live seafood tanks greeted us at the entrance, a reassuring sign that what we were about to eat would be fresh. After a quick discussion and a helpful recommendation from the staff, we settled on the Australian lobster cooked with ee-fu noodles, plus a simple vegetable dish to balance the meal.
The server gently cautioned us that this might already be more than enough for three people, especially since the lobster was a sizable one. We appreciated the honesty as some places might have encouraged us to over-order, resulting in food wastage. So we trusted their advice and kept it simple.
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| Australian Lobster cooked in Ee-fu Noodles |
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| The daughter from a Father's point of view |
And they were absolutely right.
The lobster ee-fu noodles came out looking like a celebration on a plate. Generously portioned, piping hot, and incredibly fragrant. What made the experience even better was that the staff took the effort to serve the lobster meat deshelled, portioned out individually for us. No mess, no fuss, just pure enjoyment.
Every bite of the noodles was coated in rich, savoury sauce that had soaked up the essence of the lobster. The meat itself was exceptionally fresh, sweet, tender, and cooked perfectly. We found ourselves slowing down halfway through the meal, not because it wasn’t good, but because we were getting full way quicker than we expected. And I couldn't expect elderly to have big appetite but my folks were already quite good that day.
The service throughout was warm, attentive, and never intrusive. There was a sense of quiet efficiency and thoughtfulness in how they managed the table, which really added to the overall experience.
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| Deshelling the lobster without any food wastage |
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| The amount of lobster meat after deshelling |
In the end, we had to pack the vegetable dish to go as there wasn't room in our stomachs for more. The lobster and ee-fu noodles alone had us completely stuffed. But as we all agreed around the table, there was absolutely no way we were letting that lobster go to waste. It was too fresh, too flavourful, and frankly, too expensive to leave behind. So we did what any grateful diner would do—we powered through and made sure every last bite was savoured.
The bill came up to around SGD 368+, and while we were fortunate to offset part of it with CDC vouchers, it still felt like a truly indulgent meal, one well worth the price. After all, how often do we treat our loved ones to something this special? Especially when the food, service, and experience all came together so beautifully.
As we sat back sipping our Pu-er tea (good for digestion), letting the meal settle, we noticed a nearby table celebrating a birthday too. The staff gathered to sing them a birthday song, something that felt pleasantly familiar, a little like what you’d experience at HaiDiLao. It added a sweet, festive touch to the already warm atmosphere.
All in all, it was a memorable lunch filled with good food, quiet moments, and the kind of joy that comes from giving back to the people who’ve given you everything. We’ll definitely be back again and next time, for their famous crabs.
105 Clementi Street 12 #01-30
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All expenses were covered by the writer and her parents. All opinions and reviews are based on their personal preferences and taste, and do not reflect anyone else's views.
