Buying fish from a local fishmonger is a great way to get fresh seafood. You can learn about the different types of fish, how to pick out a fresh one, and how to prepare it. There are all sorts of delicious and healthy fish recipes that you can try, so head to your local fishmonger today and get cooking!
What is a fishmonger and what do they offer?
A fishmonger is a person who sells fish. They usually sell fresh fish, but some fishmongers also sell frozen fish. Fishmongers offer a wide variety of fish, including both fresh and frozen fish. They also offer seafood, which includes shellfish and crustaceans. They can sell produce wholesale or retail and are trained at picking, preparing and selling their products.
When you go to a fishmonger, you should pick a fish that is fresh. The fishmonger will be able to tell you if the fish is fresh or not. You can also ask the fishmonger for advice on how to pick a fresh fish.
Photo by Georg Eiermann on Unsplash
4 tips for picking the right fishmonger
Picking a good fishmonger is important if you want to get the freshest fish possible. Here are a few tips on how to find and pick the best fishmonger possible:
- Make sure the fishmonger has a clean and well-organized store.
- The fish should be displayed in a way that keeps them fresh, such as on ice or in a refrigerated case.
- The fishmonger should be able to tell you where the fish came from and how it was caught.
- The fishmonger should be able to give you advice on how to cook the fish.
When you’re at the fishmonger, make sure to ask about the different types of fish that are available. You may be surprised at the variety that’s available. You can also ask for advice on how to prepare the fish.
A knowledgable fishmonger will be able to answer all your questions and the best ones guide you along the way. Here are some good questions to ask:
- Where is the fish from?
- Is it wild or farmed?
- When did it come in?
- Was it previously frozen?
Don’t be afraid to let them know if you’re not too familiar with fish and need more help.
How to find a good local fishmonger
These days, just googling “fishmonger near me” will bring up results. But how can you tell who has the best fish from an online search?
Obviously, going through photos and reviews, you can learn a lot. However nothing beats actually going there and seeing the produce and talking to the staff.
If it’s too far out of your way, at least call a few places to compare how they handle your questions and also see what they have in stock fresh.
Do they have sustainable fish?
According to Village Fishmonger, a NYC-based startup with a focus on local, sustainable seafood:
Even though the farm-to-table movement has been gaining momentum over the last 20 years, its message of eating locally and sustainably has not been as readily replicated in the consumer seafood arena. Many urban areas, especially, are lacking retail outlets offering residents access to a trustworthy supply of local and sustainable seafood. Even when there is a fresh seafood source in the area, there is oftentimes a lack of transparency as to how that seafood was sourced and whether or not it is truly local and sustainable. Instead, consumers have to settle for buying pre-packaged seafood, going to a big-box retailer, or traveling outside of their immediate neighborhood to find sustainable seafood. Faced with these options, many will forgo eating sustainable seafood and make do with what is easiest.
If you can find a “boat to table” source in your area, you’ll be leagues ahead of those just buying whatever fish is available at their big box retailer.
How to pick the right fish from the fishmonger
Depending on where you’re located and the time of the year, you’ll usually have a variety of fish available. But how can you be sure you’re getting fresh fish?
There are several things that you can look for to determine if a fish is fresh:
- The fish should have bright, shiny eyes.
- The fish should have firm flesh.
- The fish should have a fresh, ocean smell.
If you are unsure about whether or not a fish is fresh, you can always ask the fishmonger for advice.
Once you’ve bought the fish, you want to make sure you transport and store it appropriately. You’ll want to prepare and eat the fish as soon as possible, so it’s at peak freshness.
Related: How Long Does Sushi Last? 11 Signs Your Sushi Has Gone Bad
The different types of fish that are available at a fishmonger
There are many different types of fish available at a fishmonger. Some of the most popular types of fish include salmon, tuna, and halibut. There are also many other types of fish available, so you should ask the fishmonger for recommendations.
Once you have picked out a fish, you will need to prepare it for cooking. The fishmonger can give you advice on how to do this. The best fishmongers can also provide you with fish recipes if you need some inspiration.
Although there is no official thing as sushi-grade fish, you should ask which fish could be eaten raw. Only the freshest and highest quality cuts of fish could be eaten as sashimi.
Andre Alexander
Andre tried sushi when he was 12 and was hooked. He studied Japanese in high school and was good enough to earn a free trip to Japan… unsurprisingly, he remembers none of it decades later! As a diving enthusiast, he has a deep appreciation for marine life and sustainability efforts.
