RHK Seafood Boil and Bar Opens in South Norwalk

Seafood restaurant = nautical theme. Always.

South Norwalk is boiling over…with seafood. Seafood boils, that is. And SoNo is set to get that times two.

RHK Seafood Boil and Bar is one of two Cajun-inspired seafood joints to open its doors downtown, the other being SoNo Boil, just a block away.

This isn’t a comparison between the two, but rather a focus on the former in RHK. You can compare and contrast on your own time, eating your weight in shellfish, chorizo, corn, and potatoes for research purposes.

RHK—located in the former Mama’s Boy, then Beach House space—comes to Norwalk from the folks behind Round K Coffee & Roasters in New York City.

Owner Ockhyeon Byeon checks in with guests

But how does a seafood boil idea stem from coffee shop owners? It’s simple. Hospitality.

“Coffee is the most common and traditional way to show hospitality,” says owner Ockhyeon Byeon. “At Round K, we are able to provide locals and visitors with all-in-one hospitality, from greetings to serving foods and drinks. I’m looking forward to introducing lower Fairfield County to Cajun-inspired seafood boils, where the goal is to gather, eat, and have a good time.”

Byeon also likened South Norwalk to where he’s from in South Korea, where seafood is a main food source. He even purposely parks his car on the top level of The Maritime Garage because the ocean view reminds him of where he grew up.  

That same warm feeling that Byeon gets while staring at the sound applies to a casual, dig-in style of dining at RHK. Heaping baskets of deep-fried calamari with Creole tomato sauce, steamed mussels and clams, or a pile of fries with black truffle mayo all promote RHK’s idea of gathering and sharing with friends and family.

Byeon told us that RHK’s seafood is sourced locally, with Pagano’s Seafood being their primary purveyor. “We are getting lots of fresh lobster in the restaurant as it is in season now,” he says. “And let’s not forget my favorite shellfish, the soft shell crab. If you are in for something new and different, then you must try our soft shell crab boil.”

The centerpiece of RHK’s menu is the aforementioned seafood boil. Each is customizable in terms of what you want in there. You options include snow crab legs, Dungeness crab, lobster tails, clams, crawfish, head-on or off shrimp, and black or green mussels. As far is spiciness is concerned, you control that. Garlic-lemon, Cajun original, curry, and Cajun spicy are your heat level choices. The steam puffed boil bag arrives, your server gives it several tosses, and rips it open. Your job is to bib up, crack claws, suck the juice out of crawfish heads, and nibble on corn cobs. It’s an elbows on the table feast that you should indulge in at least once in your life.

Additionally, RHK’s menu features seafood by the ½ pound or pound, fish & chips, a vegetarian boil, Cajun ramen, and a stacked, juicy, fast food style double cheeseburger topped with griddled cheese curds and spicy mayo.

Byeon mentioned that we can expect seasonal seafood specials using soft shell crab and that RHK is testing out a few oyster dishes.

At the bar, they’re not shying away from coffee infusions using beans from their sister company, Round K, plus spins on classic negronis and old fashioneds using bacon washed bourbon. Japanese whiskey is also a featured spirit in RHK’s cocktail program.

A few cheat day worthy shakes. Not all are cake topped but if you like cheesecake or red velvet, go for it!

Should you stay for dessert, there’s an option to add booze to one of RHK’s milkshakes, all of which are served with a slice of cake, not on the side, but in the shake. It’s not as cartoonish and unconquerable as a Black Tap creation. If you believe in yourself, you can finish one. Go ahead and mash that cake in the milk-blended ice cream and have a blast.

19 N Water Street; Norwalk
203.956.7171; https://www.rhkusa.com/