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There's a lot more to Cantonese food than just dim sum. Cantonese is one of many types of regional Chinese cuisine, but it's the most popular since the first Chinese immigrants in the United States were Cantonese. What distinguishes Cantonese cuisine is the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients that feature seafood, beef, chicken and pork. Cantonese food also tends to use steaming, stir-frying, braising and deep-frying cooking methods. It tends to be milder, than say, the bold, spicy flavors of Szechuan cuisine.
Luckily for us, the San Gabriel Valley has copious amounts of delicious and authentic Cantonese cuisine modernized with a twist. We've found three incredible Cantonese dishes from Atlantic Seafood & Dim Sum Restaurant that you probably haven't had before and need to try right now. The restaurant is located in what can best be described as the Chinese version of the Grove. It's an authentic Chinese restaurant that serves dim sum in the morning and classic Cantonese dishes—and some of those dishes with a twist—at night. (They also have attractive ongoing dinner specials. If you order any three dinner items, you can get an order of regular lobster, Peking Duck, or geoduck for $9.99.)
Pan-fried lobster (Photo by Kristie Hang/LAist)
PAN-FRIED LOBSTER WITH SALTED DUCK EGG YOLK
Lobster with butter is so yesterday. Feast yourselves on this pan-fried lobster coated in salted duck egg yolk. The salted egg yolk has become a popular filling for modern dim sum dishes, but what happens when you take that filling and fry it all over your lobster? The lobster is coated in finely-crumbled yolks of preserved duck eggs. The yolk is grated on top as a seasoning giving it a Parmesan Cheese-like coating that is sweet, rich, and a tad salty. With each bite, the shaved yolk melts in your mouth and forms a sauce for the lobster meat. To get the most out of this dish, suck the lobster shell and then eat the meat! You'l be licking your fingers and the entire plate. This specially requested dish is $17.99 if you order three dinner dishes.
Eggplant with minced pork, shredded scallop and garlic (Photo by Kristie Hang/LAist)
EGGPLANT WITH PORK AND SCALLOP
You've never had eggplant like this. This eggplant with minced pork, shredded scallop, and garlic will make your taste buds sing. The eggplant is sautéed in garlic with minced pork and dried scallops, then steamed. Each bite of eggplant is light and crispy on the outside with a soft and creamy inside. The result is a scrumptious stir-fry concoction that goes great with white rice and can't be easily found at many restaurants.
Steamed egg custard with fresh clams (Photo by Kristie Hang/LAist)
STEAMED EGG CUSTARD WITH FRESH CLAMS
The steamed egg custard with fresh clams is a simple, yet mind-blowing dish. Egg custard is used in a lot of healthy Cantonese food. The steamed egg has a soft, pudding-like structure. There's nothing fancy or pretentious about this dish. It's made with only steamed eggs, water, and stock. The sweetness of the clams shines through in the dish. Even those that don't love clams or seafood will love this dish. This dish is $11.99.
Atlantic Seafood & Dim Sum Restaurant is located at 500 North Atlantic Boulevard in Monterey Park, (626) 872-0388
