Spicy Fish Soup at Pacific Fish Center

The fog rolled in as Laleanne and I pulled into the parking lot on the east side of the Redondo Beach pier. It was cold, a bit damp, windy and we were both wearing dresses, so a little speed walking was in order as we headed to our destination. The Pacific Fish Center is a Korean run seafood restaurant that usually has a line running out the door and onto the pier. The crowd is a mix of Korean families, Filipino couples and groups of Chinese students – insert one blonde haired blue eyed girl on a mission and you can picture the situation quite nicely.



Laleanne and I neared the front of the line where the photo menu is posted for easy ordering. The woman working behind the cash register assured us a small spicy fish soup would be enough for 2, so we took her word but ordered 2 other dishes as well just in case. As we waited for our number to be called, the line cooks plucked wriggling sweet shrimp and crabs from the tanks and plopped them on scales for weighing. This made for excellent entertainment and a good distraction to our growling bellies.



At last, our number was called out in Korean by a Hispanic host (probably one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen, this guy had memorized the numbers 1-100 in Korean!) We were seated next to the window, but we were too ravenous to notice the waves crashing below us or the pristine smell of the ocean. Waitresses whizzed past our table pushing carts piled high with live sweet shrimp, steamed crabs, platters of sashimi and bubbling pots of spicy fish soup. This was torture, we were starving.





Finally, our first dish was served – half a dozen oysters. Simply shucked, served on a plastic plate with lemon wedges, we dove in, adding dashes of Tabasco and cocktail sauce. These were Laleanne’s first oysters, and all I can say is, oysters better watch out, because she’s gonna eat you every chance she gets. Mild with a clean taste of the sea, these were a perfect beginning to some good eating.



A pile of steamed Manila clams in a broth of scallions, jalapeños and garlic was next. The tiny clams were plump and fragrant with the aromatics from the broth, which we sipped using makeshift spoons from the clam shells.



The spicy fish soup was something to behold, still bubbling, fiery red and laden with fish it was placed before us. Slivers of daikon, mushrooms, scallions, onions studded the broth of chili paste, ginger, garlic all perfuming the pieces of halibut and tofu – the stars of this soup. This soup is for those with adventurous palates, as all parts of the fish are used – fins, skin, tail and bones. But if that doesn’t make you flinch, you’ll enjoy every mouthful, I suggest ordering it spicy and pour it over steamed rice.



This place isn’t fancy, but service is prompt and without frills, and décor is non-existent. But with views of the sea, the jam-packed dining room and the chatter of satisfied diners, this is a place you can’t help but enjoy.

The Day’s Damage: $9 oysters + $11 clams + $20 fish soup + $4 water = $44 total
Item 3: Check