Alright, imagine this: a spontaneous trip to Batam, where the sun's doing its thing, the shopping calls your name, and the thought of diving into some seriously good seafood is practically a gravitational pull. Our mission? To check out a spot boldly named "Love Seafood Batam Centre." You'd hope for true love with every bite, right? Well, it was a bit of a mixed bag, but definitely an experience, complete with some uninvited buzzing guests.
Choosing Our Catch at Love Seafood Batam Centre
The moment we stepped in, we were escorted to what can only be described as a live seafood showroom. Think bubbling tanks, active crustaceans, and squiggly creatures, all waiting for their moment in the culinary spotlight. It’s pretty cool – you get to pick your dinner, right then and there, straight from its watery temporary home. We bravely pointed at 500 grams of lively prawns, still doing their little underwater dance, knowing full well their destiny was our dinner plate. We opted to have them stir-fried with garlic, because, let's be honest, garlic makes almost anything better. This fresh, vibrant selection set us back 135k Rupiah.
The Seafood Spread: Hits and Misses at Love Seafood Batam Centre
Soon enough, the dishes started arriving, one by one, each promising a taste of Batam's ocean bounty. Would our visit to Love Seafood Batam Centre turn into a full-blown culinary romance, or just a friendly nod?
The Amazing Garlic Prawns at Love Seafood Batam Centre
Let's cut right to the chase with the absolute champions of the night: those garlic prawns. Oh. My. Goodness. These weren't just good; they were utterly fantastic. Every single prawn was perfectly cooked, offering that satisfying crunch you crave, followed by a burst of sweet, pure prawn flavour. The garlic infusion was spot on, making them truly irresistible. Plump, beautiful, and absolutely delightful, these prawns alone made the trip to Love Seafood Batam Centre worth it. If I had to pick a favourite, they'd win every time.
Gong Gong: A Local Delicacy
Next up, the famous gong gong, a local favourite priced at 70k Rupiah. We got these sea snails in a sauce, and they were, well, nice. But here’s a little secret for next time: I think they would have truly shone if we'd gotten them steamed plain. The sauce we chose, while tasty, ended up masking some of their natural sweetness, which is really their charm. Still, they were fun to eat and provided a good excuse for some hand-eye coordination practice! A decent effort, but not the star of our Love Seafood Batam Centre meal.
Sambal Sotong: A Bit Chewy
Then came the sambal sotong, ringing in at 80k Rupiah. This is where we hit a small snag. The squid, unfortunately, was a bit on the rubbery side. It felt like it had overstayed its welcome in the wok, leading to a texture that was a tad too chewy. However, the sambal sauce was the hero here. It was wonderfully spicy and flavourful, giving the dish a much-needed kick and saving it from being a complete miss. A mixed experience, but the sauce certainly delivered.
Seafood Fried Rice: Filling, Not Thrilling
For 40k Rupiah, the seafood fried rice arrived, and let me tell you, it was massive. They called it a "medium," but it could easily feed a small village (or at least two very hungry people). In terms of flavour, it was a bit bland. It had a generous amount of carrots and some tiny prawns that were almost shy about making an appearance. So, if you're aiming for volume over intense flavour, this might be your go-to. It filled us up, which was good, but it wasn't the kind of fried rice that'll haunt your dreams. Acceptable, but not a highlight of our Love Seafood Batam Centre experience.
Kang Kung: Green and Good
A welcome burst of green arrived with the kang kung vegetables, a modest 25k Rupiah. And these? They were spot on. Crunchy, flavourful, and a refreshing counterpoint to all the seafood. Simple, well-prepared, and exactly what you want from your greens. A solid win!
Salted Egg Crab: Sweet Surprise
Finally, the main event: a whole crab cooked in salted egg sauce, coming in at a hefty (but understandable for crab) 350k Rupiah. My expectations for salted egg sauce are usually sky-high, and this one was... alright. It was creamy and savoury, but not the rich, intense flavour I sometimes crave. However, the star of this dish was surprisingly the crab meat itself. It was wonderfully sweet, creating a fantastic contrast with the salted egg sauce. This natural sweetness truly elevated the dish, making it enjoyable even if the sauce didn't blow us away. It was a good effort from Love Seafood Batam Centre.
Friendly Service, Plus Some Flies
On the service front, Love Seafood Batam Centre truly shined. The staff were quick, incredibly friendly, and made sure our meal flowed smoothly. The general vibe was comfortable and pleasant. Now, for the tiny asterisk: given it’s an open-air spot in a tropical climate, we did have a few persistent winged companions trying to join our dinner party. Nothing a little hand-waving couldn't handle, but worth mentioning if you're not a fan of impromptu insect visits!
The Verdict: Was it Worth It?
So, did Love Seafood Batam Centre win our hearts? While not every dish was a perfect ten, the overall experience was memorable. Those garlic prawns were truly exceptional, and the sheer value for money was astonishing. For all this food, costing around SGD66, it was amazingly worth it! If you're heading to Batam and fancy some seafood, especially if you're on the hunt for delicious, fresh prawns and incredible value, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared to share your table with a few local critters!
Love Seafood Batam Centre Opening Hours and Location
10 am - 11 pm Daily
Address: Kompleks Mahkota Raya, Jl. Raja H. Fisabilillah No.12B, Teluk Tering, Batam Kota, Batam City, Riau Islands 29444, Indonesia
Comments
Post a Comment