Happy Crab Boiling Seafood and Bar — Review by Mikey Chen
Seattle, United States — Asian Seafood Fusion, Cajun Seafood Boil
Happy Crab Boiling Seafood and Bar offers an exceptional all-you-can-eat seafood brunch buffet starting at 9 AM for $99, featuring premium items like fresh whole lobsters, snow crab, dungeonous crab, oysters, and Manila clams from local Seattle waters. The buffet uniquely combines Asian and seafood boil elements with hand-pulled noodles, soup dumplings, and sushi stations alongside traditional crab boil preparation with excellent Cajun sauce. At a waterfront location overlooking Puget Sound, the fresh ingredients, attentive service, and quality preparation make this a standout value for seafood lovers.
What was great: Fresh seafood including snow crab, lobster, clams, and oysters; authentic hand-pulled lamb noodles; homemade soup dumplings with truffle; excellent Cajun boil sauce; quality steak; fresh crab cakes; beautiful waterfront location overlooking the sound; quick service; good value for premium ingredients
What could improve: Seared halibut was a bit dry; limited dessert selection
The Dishes
The made-to-order menu impressed with a tenderly cooked steak that was perfectly juicy and a highlight of the visit. The hand-pulled lamb noodles were authentically prepared with fresh ingredients, chili, and cabbage, rivaling what you would find in a proper Sichuan restaurant. Homemade soup dumplings arrived with truffle flavor and fresh ginger and vinegar on the side, showing real attention to detail. The crab cake consisted of nearly 90% actual crab meat scraped from local dungeonous crab, tasting completely homemade. Fresh lobster was an unexpected highlight, arriving with the steak as a promotional item, providing succulent sweet meat perfect for dunking in the signature Cajun sauce. Seared halibut proved slightly dry, while blackened king salmon was prepared well but didn't stand out. The buffet featured shrimp wontons in hot oil, all varieties of fresh shellfish including Manila clams, oysters, snow crab, and crawfish, along with seafood fried rice elevated by roasted bone marrow.
The Experience
Located right on the waters of Seattle with views overlooking the sound, the restaurant provided an impressive atmosphere that only enhanced the dining experience. The buffet setup was extensive and beautifully arranged with multiple stations including a sushi and sashimi station, omelette station, pasta station, and a full seafood boil bar with various sauces. Staff were attentive and responsive, with dishes coming out quickly despite this being the opening morning of the brunch service. The restaurant started filling up as the morning progressed, creating a lively brunch atmosphere. The early 9 AM start time was unusual for an all-you-can-eat buffet, making this a unique dining opportunity.
Value and Pricing
At $99 per person, the brunch includes one glass of wine, mimosa, or soft drink. The reviewer considered this excellent value, especially with the inclusion of fresh lobster, premium snow crab, fresh dungeonous crab, and oysters. Even without the lobster promotion, the quality of ingredients and variety justify the price point compared to typical seafood boil restaurants that charge $50-60 for similar offerings without such premium items or the Asian fusion elements like noodles and dumplings.
Notable Moments
This is probably the only place in the world, maybe outside of China, you can get me noodles at 9:00 in the morning.
Fresh lobster crab oyster buffet at like 9-10:00 in the morning on a cloudy Seattle day overlooking the sound. Brunch in Seattle does not get better than this right now.
You cannot beat a whole live lobster. It's unbeatable.
The reviewer was particularly struck by being served two whole fresh lobsters at an all-you-can-eat brunch, considering this the ultimate prize and best deal. The combination of surf and turf with the tender steak and fresh lobster proved memorable.
The Verdict
Happy Crab Boiling Seafood and Bar delivers an outstanding brunch experience for seafood enthusiasts, particularly those in the Seattle area. The restaurant successfully merges Asian cuisine with traditional seafood boil preparations, offering something completely unique in the buffet space. Fresh local seafood sourced from Puget Sound waters guarantees quality and authenticity. The waterfront location adds significant appeal, and the attention to detail in dishes like homemade crab cakes and fresh-pulled noodles demonstrates genuine culinary care. This restaurant is ideal for anyone seeking premium all-you-can-eat seafood without the typical buffet mediocrity, especially during favorable weather when outdoor seating becomes available. Even without special promotions like the lobster offering, the combination of quality ingredients, diverse preparation methods, and fair pricing makes this a must-visit for Seattle-based seafood lovers.