Eating live octopus at Crazy Fish – Solaris Dutamas

Eversince I read about this new Korean seafood restaurant in Solaris Dutamas, I was determined to visit the place. I tried to get some friends to go with me, but as predicted, only my foodie soulmate Jayna was up for it hehe.

We were there quite early so we managed to get a table though many tables were already marked as reserved when we arrived. The interior was simple and cosy.

# – Crazy Fish.

# – The area where live seafood were prepared.

After we were seated down, we were served complimentary banchan.

# – Seasoned cucumbers and some kind of julienned pancake/omelette?

# – Scallion pancake and dips.

Our main goal was to try the infamous Korean delicacy, “Sannakji” or live octopus.

# – Sorry, octo.

There were other live seafood on display that we just couldn’t identify.

# – Urechis and sea squirts? Nope, no idea.

Nevertheless, in the spirit of trying, we ordered a plate of sea squirts, on top of live octopus and salmon.

# – Salmon.

# – Octopus and sea squirts.

# – Octopus, chopped up and still wriggling.

# – Sea squirts, chopped up. We had a bit of a laugh trying to figure out how to eat it. Basically the fleshy bit is on top of the hardshell, which you can pick up with chopsticks.

The salmon was very nice but you could probably get the same if not better quality from a decent Japanese restaurant.

As for the octopus, well it was an interesting experience to eat something that lively. Everybody should try it at least once.

Taste-wise though, there wasn’t any discernible flavour other than the salt and sesame oil that I dipped it in. The texture was rubbery and chewy. Honestly, we were slightly disappointed at how incredibly bland it was.

# – The boss showing us how to eat the octopus. First you pick it up with wooden chopsticks (the traditional flat metal Korean chopsticks are pretty much useless as there’s no friction), dip it in sesame oil/salt then pop it into your mouth. Chew before swallowing.

# – Here’s a video of Jayna eating it for the 1st time.

Nevertheless, we were glad we have tried it, although it’d be our first and last time. At RM70 per octopus, it also felt incredibly expensive to me.

The sea squirts were spongy in texture and quite briney. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any addictive attribute to it. I’ve read somewhere that it’s reminiscent of oysters…but nope, not even close as it lacked the firm, silky texture of a good oyster. Perhaps it would taste better cooked?

We also ordered a bowl of spicy panmee for carbo loading purpose…yeap, really the chinese wheat noodles we’re all familiar with.

# – Spicy panmee. Nothing to shout about.

# – Me and Jayna.

So, will I go back again? I might bring friends/family there just for the novelty factor of eating a live, wriggly octopus but other than that, no. I am probably comparing apples and oranges, but I would much rather spend what we spent (around RM160) at a decent Japanese restaurant for flavourful raw seafood bursting with umami.

You definitely can’t fault Crazy Fish in terms of freshness but flavours? Well, at the end of the day it’s subjective, isn’t it?

Crazy Fish
9-G, Jalan Solaris 3,
Solaris Mont Kiara,
Kuala Lumpur.
Daily for lunch & dinner (until 2 a.m.), except the first Monday of each month.
Tel: 03-6211-7313