Bittermelon and Shrimp at Capital Cafe

[lmarie]

I crave bittermelon every year about this time when it is in season. Today walking by Capital Cafe on Clay (btwn Grant and Stockton) in SF Chinatown, I noticed a sign on the window for various "Tuesday Specials." I pounced when I saw "Bittermelon Stirfried with Shrimp" for $5.75.

It was wonderful. There were about eight medium-sized shrimp, and they had been stirfried with a very generous portion of tender bittermelon, along with a subtle amount of fermented black beans. Next to a huge serving of steamed rice, it was perfect with some of the hot (and slightly sour) chili paste provided at the table; it was savory/salty/bitter Cantonese comfort food.

[Cynsa]

That does it; now I have a bittermelon craving to satisfy. I'll have to wait for next Tuesday's Special! Thanks, Imarie!

[Melanie Wong]

I'm not a bitter melon fan, but it's considered good for your complexion and a source of "yin" that you need in hot weather.

I love Capital, haven't been for a while and need to rectify that.

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Capital Restaurant
839 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108