Comments on: At California’s Asian fish markets, freshness is everything

By: Chas

Chas — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:47:00 +0000

I remember about 10 years ago going to Taiwan Restaurant in Chinatown (long gone) and ordered a fresh crab in my newly learned Cantonese. A few minutes later she brought a dead crab out to my table with antennae still twitching. I realized she was doing it to prove to me the crab was fresh-killed. I chalked it up to cultural differences and enjoyed my meal (and it was good, too). Actually, I am fine with ordering the death of my dinner.

You may have seen/read the cow who gives permission to you to eat it in the late Douglas Adams's Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series.

By: Chas

Chas — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:41:20 +0000

Good question. Their website calls them 99 Ranch, but, like you, I call it Ranch 99.

By: Asianmommy

Asianmommy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:37:31 +0000

There's nothing better than fresh steamed fish, served Asian style!

By: Jo

Jo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:40:47 +0000

Oh God I miss the fresh fish markets from the Bay Area. Living in Atlanta requires a good long drive in horrible traffic to find the large Asian markets. I cringe looking at the seafood in my local American markets, and going to the Super H mart (Korean super chain) near me is just slightly better. Growing up in the Bay Area, the availability of fresh live fish was taken for granted.

By: Cat_d

Cat_d — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:48:29 +0000

I like the places that also deep fry your fish for free upon request

By: Bo

Bo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:42:47 +0000

As a former vegan, I still have issue with the way live fish is treated in most Asian markets. It's one thing to kill animals for food, it's another thing to have them suffer for hours/days in crowded tanks with no fresh water. I'll admit that fresh fish does taste better…I just wish they would give them more space or simply kill them and keep them on ice.

By: ErnieAtLYD

ErnieAtLYD — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:31:42 +0000

In Southern California it's 99 Ranch. In Northern California it's Ranch 99. Why IS that, anyway?

By: tien

tien — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:55:50 +0000

Psst..it's 99 Ranch

By: SC

SC — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:35:42 +0000

When I read the below statement I felt a little sad that Americans can't tell the difference in taste I mean i don't I know any Asians that can't tell a fresh fish from an old one. It all makes sense now as to why food is so bland and unimaginary for American food, they can't taste the difference between fresh food and a cardboard box.

“…In Asian cuisine, live fish are a delicacy. Asian diners insist they can distinguish on the plate between a fish freshly plucked from a tank or stream and one previously gutted and languishing on ice…