The Blazin’ Crab in Encino is Aimed at Seafood Lovers

The Blazin’ Crab, a Cajun-inspired seafood restaurant that’s new to Encino, clearly follows a path blazed by popular local chain Boiling Crab. The Korean-run concept encourages diners to get down and dirty with well-spiced seafood served on stainless steel trays.

Crustaceans and bivalves are available by the pound at market prices. Orders come down to personal preference. Choose from proteins like shrimp (peeled or shell-on), Dungeness crab and seasonal crawfish. Select your sauce: either garlic butter, lemon pepper or Blazin’ Crab sauce, a blend of the first two sauces with added bite from ghost pepper. Spice level options range from non-spicy to “XXX spicy.”

Blazin’ Combos starring assorted seafood are great to share. If you’re dining solo, consider single-servings of garlic noodles with shrimp, sausage or chicken, sautéed garlic butter salmon or Cajun fried rice.

The coconut shrimp dish is a particularly good starter, featuring eight butterflied shrimp coated with breadcrumbs and shredded coconut that are served with house sauce of Thai chile, mayo and ketchup. Other supplemental dishes include Cajun fried calamari, corn on the cob and raw oysters.

The split-level dining room fronts Ventura Boulevard and pairs reclaimed wood walls with oceanic decor. Fishing nets hang over banquettes, an octopus clings to a crab trap, and a massive great white shark lunges onto the bar. “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”

17237 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 818-906-1100