I like to eat fish, but often the European menu does not describe the selection in terms that I understand. Recently, I was in Dingle, dining at my favorite fish place. I came across a multilingual fish guide for travelers. I took a photo of the menu, added my descriptions and ended up with my “fishy-fish” chart. I hope it makes choosing a fish dish from a foreign menu less challenging.
This is the entire kitchen of “Out of the Blue Restaurant.” The restaurant has only a few tables, so it is important to make a reservation. Their policy is if there is no fresh fish caught in the morning, they will not open their doors at night. Each day, the menu is listed on a chalkboard; once the fish is “finished,” the item is crossed off.
For me, “Out of the Blue” is the best choice for fresh fish on the island! Oh yeah, the wine list is selected to pair specifically with fresh fish. One of the waiters is from France and has a lot of input in the wine selection process. I can’t remember his name (it is such a shame for me) but he has been around to help me out for three years now. If you are in Dingle, go to “Out of the Blue!”
MY FISHY-FISH CHART
English | French | Italian | Spanish | German | Description |
Sole | Sole | Sogliola | Lenguado | Seezunge | Flat-fish family and mild in taste. Bottom-feeder and hides in the mud, but don’t let that discourage you… very mild. |
Cod | Cabillaud | Merluzzo Bianco | Bacalao | Kabeljau | Mild flavor, low fat content with a dense white flesh that flakes easily. |
Pollack | Lieujaune | Merluzzo Giallo | Abadejo | Pollack | An Atlantic white fish with a fairly strong flavor. Most commonly used in “Crab sticks.” |
John Dory | St Pierresan | San Pietro | Pez De San Pedro | Peterfisch | North Atlantic cold water fish. Firm-textured and white-fleshed. It has a mild, sweet flavor and low fat content. |
Monkfish | Lotte | Rana Pescatrice | Rape | Seeteufel | Firm in texture. Mild slightly sweet taste. Sometimes considered poor man’s lobster. |
Brill | Barbue | Rombo Liscio | Rémol | Glattbutt | North Atlantic. Similar to turbot in having succulent, slightly sweet flesh. |
Lemon Sole | Limande-Sole | Sogliola Limauda | Mendo Limón | Limande | North Sea and English Channel. Mild white fish. |
Turbot | Turbot | Rombo Chiodato | Rodaballo | Steinbutt | Turbot are harvested in European waters from the Mediterranean and North Seas to Iceland and Normandy. Prized for its delicate flavor. Prepared simply, such as baked or broiled. |
Plaice | Plie | Passera | Solla | Scholle | Bottom dwelling white fish. Commonly used in fish and chips. North Sea to the Med. |
Mackerel | Maquereau | Sgombro | Caballa | Mackrele | Its meat is off-white in color and has a strong fishy taste. Its meat is darker than cod or Tilapia. |
Hake | Colin | Nasello | Merluza | Seehecht | |
Haddock | Eglefin | Assinello | Eglefino | Schellfisch | Taste similar to cod. A white flesh fish with very low fat content. |
Seabass | Loup de mer/bar | Brenzina | Lubina | Seebarsch | Semi-firm white meat with a sweet flavor. Great for people who don’t usually eat fish. |
Scallops | Coquilles/St Jacques | Capasante | Vieiras | Jacobs Muscheln | The edible portion of the scallop is the white muscle that opens and closes the two shells and is called the “nut.” The reproductive glands known as “coral” are also edible and widely consumed in Europe. |
Anchovy | Anchios | Acciuga | Anchoa | Sardelle | |
Mussels | Moules | Cozze | Mejillones | Muscheln | |
Shrimp | Crevette | Gambero | Camarón | Garnele | |
Salmon | Saumon | Salmone | Salmón | Lachs | Mild distinct flavor with a soft texture. If your not much for fish, Salmon is recommended. Wild-Fresh caught is the best. Other varieties are farm-raised. |
Thanks David, great information.
Hey I didn’t see bream listed! Only kidding of course. Great info, but I just depend on my favorite tour guide to tell me what to order 🙂