Common Seafood Dishes You May Expect at a Chinese Buffet

The appeal of eating at a Chinese buffet restaurant is the ability to sample delicious Chinese cuisine that you otherwise wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. A staple of Chinese cuisine is seafood. Fish is a common entree for seafood dishes all over China, especially in coastal towns. Fish is not the only seafood item that is common to Chinese buffets. You will typically see dishes such as shrimp, crab, prawns, and even squid.

Here are some of the common seafood dishes you will find available at most Chinese buffet restaurants.

Drunken Prawns

Drunken prawns are referred to as "drunken" because they are cooked in wine to give these prawns the unique flavor that makes them so delicious. Prawns are tiny crustaceans with 10 legs, similar to shrimp. The difference is the prawns tend more commonly to come from freshwater, as opposed to shrimp, which are better known as saltwater fish. Prawns are also typically bigger than shrimp and have longer legs with more pairs of claws at the end. Drunken prawns will marinate overnight in a coating of wine before being cooked with seasonings such as ginger and green onions. When they are ready to eat, they will have a crispy texture that makes them a staple of Chinese buffet plates.

Squid

This may not be what you think when you think about seafood, but, yes, squid is a common dish available at most Chinese buffet restaurants. The squid will be seasoned and fried until it is crispy and golden. The meat on the inside will be tender and flavorful. When served, squid will be seasoned with ingredients like garlic, ginger, and green onions for a spicy zing. See for yourself why squid is enjoyed so often at Chinese buffet restaurants.

Shrimp Stir-Fry

Stir fry is a staple of Chinese cuisine. Its consumption dates back generations in China because it is easy to prepare. It only takes a few simple ingredients to cook up stir fry in a wok. Seafood buffet restaurants will serve stir fry dishes using shrimp to stay true to the seafood concept. Shrimp, garlic, ginger, scallions, soy sauce and other ingredients will all be cooked together to create that delicious stir-fry taste people love.

Crab

Many seafood buffets feature a selection of crab dishes. Chinese seafood buffets will often serve crab dishes such as Chinese Mitten Crab. The reason why crab is such a popular choice for Chinese buffets is that it is a sweet and succulent meat-filled dish with plenty of flavor. Crab can be prepared many different ways - grilled, fried, steamed, etc. It's abundant availability on the shores of China have always made it an easy option for chefs in China. This tradition has continued into the kitchens of seafood buffets in the United States.

Come check out the delicious seafood options available at Sumo Grill & Buffet. We can introduce you to incredible quality when it comes to Chinese seafood buffets. We offer freshly imported seafood options to delight your taste buds. Visit us in Minneapolis, MN to try our seafood buffet restaurant options.