Summer and Seafood: Delicious Dishes to Enjoy at the Beach
- Piece of Cake Staff
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Written by Brendan Gieseke
Beyond the increased levels of Vitamin D and increased excuses to go to the beach, summer offers a great opportunity to indulge in seafood, or as the French call it, the fruits of the sea. Fresh, tasty, and a great way to cool down, here are some of the must-have seafood classics and new recipes to check out as summer brings us fish season. All of these treats are dishes that any summer foodie must try at least once in their life.
1. Lobster Roll:
The classic and an option you could never miss! Whether you imagine a cool summer day out in Vacationland, Maine, a beach day at Cape Cod, or a nice LA shack, it’s clear that Lobster Rolls are a staple summer food. It’s been popularized by Maine’s Lobster Festivals and the best of American cuisine. What makes it so appealing is its taste of the sea, accompanied by fluffy bread, butter, lemon juice, and irresistible sides like coleslaw, fries, or chips. On top of that, Lobster Rolls can even come with delicious variations. Get adventurous with a curry lobster roll, mix it up with truffle sauce or brown butter, add in some tropical mango and avocado, or even top it off with caviar and an asian bao roll instead of the bread roll. The possibilities are endless, and so is the status of a good old lobster roll. Luke’s is one of the must-try chains for my favorite Lobster Roll!
2. Poke Ahi Bowls:
A modern classic that’s become popularized across the globe, Poke Ahi Bowls are an unbelievably fresh way to enjoy raw fish on top of a hearty rice bowl. Originating all the way back to Ancient Hawaii, the dish has quickly modernized in the mid 1900s when asian sauces were introduced to the blend. Soy sauce, yuzu, ponzu, and ginger sauce are all examples of seasonings that took the ancient dish to its next level. The large appeal of Poke Ahi Bowls is that they’re often customizable, healthy, and light. You can even opt out of the rice option if you’re feeling too full for it. Salad and other leaves are a great alternative. Choosing salmon or tuna as a protein is commonplace but not mandatory. Ingredients from mango to seaweed to edamame to avocado are all possible. There’s so much to love about such a customizable meal!
3. Sushi Pizzas:
While still somewhat of a niche food item and potentially harder to find around your typical eatery, Sushi Pizzas have trended across Social Media Platforms and are slowly becoming more and more accessible. The food fusion originates from Toronto and combines a crispy, pan-fried or deep-fried sushi rice patty as the "pizza crust," with layers of avocado, raw sashimi-grade fish, and vibrant sauces (such as the aforementioned asian sauces or creamier options like tuna mayo). The idea actually started in the 1990s, but is just becoming popularized and is a hot and upcoming meal that any seafood or sushi enthusiast should definitely check out.
4. Fish Tacos:
Another great classic straight from the heart of the Mexican coastal city of Ensenada comes the fish taco. While it’s been a long time since the fish taco was popularized and newly introduced to the world, fish tacos are still a fresh way to enjoy seafood in a warm and filling way. Creamy, hearty, fresh, and often oozing with citrus juice, fish tacos are readily available at many near-the-sea restaurants and locations. LA and Miami are just two examples of cities that can have the best fish tacos on site. Higher Mexican American demographics, in combination with the proximity to the ocean, can lead to the best authentic tacos.
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