Friday Night @ Crustasia Asian Bistro

Crustasia Asian Bistro is just a portion of the Red Crab group of restaurants that is located at R I level of Rockwell Power Plant Mall in Makati. 

Its interior is arranged like the ‘not so usual’ Asian restaurant as expected. Instead, it has a modish approach with modern minimal furnitures like you see in photo and found the Ibong Adarna wall painting to finish.

Crustasia Asian Bistro offers an assortment of food specialty from Asian countries like China, Indonesia, and Thailand, which was recognized for their edge in hot and spicy dishes.

In fact, there are three (3) levels of spicy in Crustasia which includes:

• 1 chili - kinda hot
• 2 chili - hot
• 3 chili - super hot

* As part of our food jaunt series, a representative from Red Crab had invited a set of foodies including Sangkutsa for another delectable dinner last October 7 at Crustasia Rockwell branch, with Chef Nur, one of the resident chefs of Crustasia Asian Bistro.

Thai Ice Tea --- Try and you'll love it!

And while waiting for the others to come, I browsed the menu book while drinking my Thai Iced Tea. So refreshing! I didn't bother to ask what the ingredients are, because I think that most Thai Iced Tea had the same components like coconut milk and milk.


Chef Nur went to our reserved table and chatted with us (I and Jeman of Orange Magazine TV). He once asked if we like spicy food, well I guess you already knew my answer, but I had to reply him with an answer of course, so I promptly said yes. #justsaying

But then let's just proceed. . .

For our first course we had Thai Catfish Salad which cost P245. I find it medyo oily maybe because I didn't try to dip it with its sauce (or was it just me?), but it’s good. The slight brittle feeling when you chew it is pretty likeable inside the mouth. Can't remember though if that's peanuts and mango (?) strips on top of it.

Oh well . . . I don’t know what comes next but the food goes randomly at hand as usual (.^^,)

The photo above is The Grand Javanese Sampler, P295. It includes Indonesian bread stuffed with eggs and meat curry, Spicy Dillis and Peanut, Indonesian Assorted Crackers and Corn Fritters. (Martabak Telor, Sambal Teri Kacang, Kerupuk dan Emping, Bakwan Jagung Manis)

For the most part, I like the Indonesian bread stuffed with eggs and meat curry, despite of its smell, which resembles to Hunan cumin ribs, and I guess it’s because of the seasoning.

Also we had this huge bowl of Sichuan Boiled Catfish (it’s for sharing) that cost P395. This is kind of weird and wonderful. This dish is actually included ‘technically’ in the main course, whereas you can have everything what’s within the soup, except for the broth. See? Well it’s for you to know!

Hunan Cumin Ribs' aroma (P465) on the other hand is a bit off for me but it really tastes better when you had a bite. Alam mo yung parang durian fruit? Hindi maganda ang amoy pero masarap kapag kinain. Ganun!

This Thai style grilled squid (P285) happens to be my darling choice that night. I ate two sticks of this actually. The combined flavors of vinegary, sweetness, and mild spicy came out very well. Our group truly loved it I tell you.

This is Mr. Crab, the star of the night. I didn't attempt to eat his meat though because I forgot to drink my med, so I thought that making iwas is the best move. (sad) On the contrary, I tried tasting a spoonful of its sabaw. The taste is actually yummy! Initially you’ll sense the sweetness of the broth then you’ll feel the sharp taste towards the end.

The Indonesian Sweet Soy and Butter Crab (Kepiting Masak Sauce Mentega); its price depends on the gram/s and gender of the crab. Actually.

Last of all, for our dessert, we had Bea Alonzo, Zanjoe Marudo, Luis Allandy and Sam Milby. LoLJoKe

* Happy Eating! *