At this Surabaya seafood spot, don't sit immediately! First, 'browse the market'!
qponx
2026-02-01
Discover Kurnia Seafood in Surabaya, a unique spot where dining begins at a lively “seafood market.” Instead of a menu, you first choose your own live fish, shrimp, and crabs directly from the tanks. This spacious, family-friendly restaurant features a children's playground and private KTV rooms. While on the pricier side, the ultra-fresh dishes like the Garlic Steamed Fish and Special Grilled Fish with torch ginger make for an unforgettable meal perfect for any group gathering.
Jujur (to be honest), when I first arrived at Kurnia Seafood, the waiter led me past rows of tables, directly towards the very back of the restaurant, and I was still completely confused at the time... And then, wow, a lively"seafood market" was right in front of me! 😳 All kinds of fish, shrimp, and crabs were swimming vigorously in the tanks; just pick whichever one you want to eat, this experience is too Anjay (cool)!
Immersive"Ordering," Atmosphere is Top-Notch
The entire restaurant space is huge, decorated to be both upscale and comfortable, with an indoor air-conditioned area, and also an outdoor spot where you can Nongkrong. The best part is, they even have an artificial waterfall and a children's playground[1], which is simply a hands-free experience for families with kids. The children play nearby, while adults can enjoy their meal with peace of mind—they really get it! Want a more private gathering? They also have private rooms with KTV[2], offering a one-stop service. Mantap! 👍
Of course, the main event is the food. We had a large group, so we tried several signature dishes:
- Garlic Steamed Fish (Barramundi Steamed with Garlic)[3]: The absolute best of the entire meal! The fish was incredibly fresh, so tender it melted in your mouth, the aroma of the minced garlic was perfectly locked in, so delicious it made you want to cry.
- Salted Egg Yolk Squid (Cumi Saus Telur Asin)[4]: This is also a must-order! The salted egg yolk sauce was incredibly rich and coated well, and the squid was springy and chewy. The only minor complaint is that it would be perfect if there was a bit more sauce, not even enough to lick the plate clean!
- Special Grilled Fish (Grilled Fish with Special Sauce)[5]: This gave me a big surprise! The sauce had Kecombrang (Torch Ginger) added, the flavor was very novel, with a unique fresh aroma. I've truly never tasted it anywhere else, it's very memorable.
Let's Get Real...
After all that praise, let me also tell you some truths. The prices here aren't cheap; they're on the mid-to-high side. Two of us casually ate and spent almost 670,000 Rupiah. If you want to order premium items like king crab, you'll need to increase your budget further. Also, when we ordered the grilled fish, there were 6 of us, and we felt the fish was a bit small[6]. When ordering, everyone can confirm the size with the waiter to avoid not having enough to share.
Editor's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls 📝
✅ The Right Way to Do It: Definitely remember this! First, be led to the"seafood market" area at the back, choose the fish, shrimp, and crabs you like, weigh them, and then return to your seat. The waiter will give you a menu to choose how you want them prepared[7]. Don't just foolishly wait at your seat!
🕒 Avoid Peak Hours: Lunch and dinner times are extremely crowded, and long queues at the entrance are common[8]. For those who don't want to wait, it's recommended to plan ahead, or simply come during off-peak hours to Chill.
👨👩👧👦 Who It's Suitable For: First choice for family gatherings (the children's playground is a huge bonus!), friends' gatherings, and business dinners can also be completely handled. After all, a Google rating of 4.9 right after opening is no joke, they really have what it takes!
- Straight into a live seafood market! Pick your fresh catch. Immersive ordering is cool! [1]
- The steamed fish with garlic[2] is a must! Melt-in-your-mouth tender, garlic-infused. Pure bliss, best!
- Hidden: an artificial waterfall and kids' playground[3]! Parents eat, kids play. Family's dream!
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