A good seafood party balances three things: impressive mains, filling sides and a sensible order of service. Here is one idea for a table of ten, adjustable to season and budget.
Suggested menu
- Starter: squid or shrimp salad.
- Main 1: grilled lobster with garlic butter.
- Main 2: steamed roe crab.
- Main 3: steamed grouper with soy.
- Filling course: lobster-head congee or seafood hotpot.
- Dessert: seasonal fruit.
Estimating quantities
With several dishes, each guest usually eats about 300–500 g of seafood including shell, depending on age and appetite. For ten guests, plan roughly 3–5 kg for the whole meal and split it by dish: most for crab and lobster, the rest for fish and squid.
Ordering for a party
Order one or two days ahead to get the right sizes and forms. Restaurants and caterers can ask for a wholesale price by number of tables for a better rate.
