SFReview
photo credit: Brit Finnegan
PPQ Dungeness Island
Included In
PPQ Dungeness Island sounds like a crustacean-filled paradise we’d very much like to live in. This island doesn’t actually exist, but you should still get to this Vietnamese seafood spot in the Richmond for a pretty good roast crab fix. If you’re not in the mood to roll up your sleeves, lick butter off your fingers, and take down an entire crab, try the smaller salt and pepper soft-shell crabs with a light, crunchy batter, or the juicy butterflied prawns. It’s easier to get a last-minute table here than at Thanh Long, so keep it in mind for your next spontaneous group dinner.
Food Rundown
Roasted Crab
The main attraction, and on every table in the dining room—rightfully so. It drips with butter and is smothered with enough garlic to ward off all the characters on Vampire Diaries.
House Special Crab
A messy endeavor, but worth the effort. This crab is deep-fried, so you’ll munch on an oniony coating while cracking open legs and dragging meat through the buttery, jalapeño-dotted sauce. Roll up your sleeves, suit up in your plastic bib, and get to it.
Tiger Prawns
These plump, butterflied prawns get a nice char from the grill—order some for the table to share. They’ll be a hit.
House Garlic Noodle
Ordering the buttery garlic noodles is a requirement. They pair perfectly with all of the seafood.