As a foodie, if I had to pick a favorite fish, it would hands down be salmon! Not only is it nutritious, but it’s super versatile and can be cooked in so many different ways. Salmon season also coincides with my favorite season, with most finishing occurring between May through September. Whether you like it tinned, grilled, smoked, or raw, here are some local spots to get your salmon fix.
Starting off with my favorite spot to get sushi in Pike and Rose, Kusshi Sushi has a variety of ways to enjoy salmon including their Salmon Nigiri, their Kusshi Seared Fatty Salmon, and their Salmon Skin Roll. My personal favorite is the seared salmon; you get an amazing burst of flavor from the torched fatty salmon, and they top it with an incredible savory seared sauce. Make sure to stop by their market of imported goods as well!
Kusshi Sushi
World Market
Speaking of markets, World Market in Federal Plaza also offers a great number of salmon and salmon-related specialty foods! Their classic Smoked Wild Alaskan Salmon was perfect over toast for breakfast. If you’re looking for something spicy, I highly recommend the tinned Smoked Salmon with Sichuan Chili Crisp by fishwife or the Irvin’s Spicy Salted Egg Salmon Skin. I especially loved the savory flavor of the salted egg paired with the crispy salmon skin.
Bethesda Bagels
Bethesda Bagels is a local NY-style bagel shop known for its delicious handcrafted bagels and spreads. I frequent their Wildwood location and always have to order a container of the lox spread to go! It goes perfectly on their toasted everything bagel or their egg bagel for an extra layer of savory flavor.
Fish Taco
It’s not a list of salmon favorites without fish tacos! I had to stop by Fish Taco in Bethesda Row to try out their Blackened Salmon Tacos, and I was super impressed. The salmon was flavorful and tender, and it went perfectly with their red cabbage, charred corn, and their tangy jalapeno sauce. You can order the tacos a la carte or make it a full platter with rice and beans or a salad.
Julii
A French bistro with a touch of the Mediterranean, Julii has my favorite salmon dishes on this list with their Salmon Niçoise and their Salmon Caesar Salads. Not only is the salmon super tender and cooked perfectly, but their grilling method gives the salmon this incredible char and makes the skin super flakey and crispy. Both of these salads are available for lunch in ample portion sizes, and their Salmon niçoise is also available in a dinner portion after 2:30 pm.
