Seafood dishes are popular restaurant items, but a growing number of consumers are seeking out these dishes on non-commercial menus as well. In fact, according to Technomic’s 2017 College & University report, fish dishes have grown 23% and shellfish dishes have grown 20% year-over-year.
Not only do fish and seafood options offer a lighter option for diners who are trying to eat healthier, but they’re great for a variety of cravings, from comfort food to global flavors and beyond. To get the most out of menuing seafood, it’s helpful to know what types of dishes are making waves.
While global flavors are all over restaurant menus, they’re not quite as ubiquitous in non-commercial cafeterias and dining rooms. That said, they’re on their way. For instance, at Epcot at Walt Disney World—Concessions, diners can try the Spicy Seafood Miso Ramen, served with garlic shrimp and vegetables.
In dining halls and cafeterias, stir fries and seafood soups are great ways to menu global-inspired fish and seafood dishes. Other globally-inspired fish dishes include miso-maple glazed salmon or, at Omni Hotel Hilton Head’s HH Prime restaurant, Spanish influence shines with the Bacalao Al Pil Pil Con Esparragos Blacos—seared cod with white asparagus and pil-pil sauce.
Fried fish in the form of fish sticks or fish and chips is a popular dish on non-commercial menus, and that’s because it’s a familiar taste that diners love. According to Technomic’s 2017 Center of the Plate: Seafood & Vegetarian report, 61% of consumers say it’s their favorite preparation method for both fish and shellfish when they dine in restaurants, so it stands to reason that it’d be a popular choice in foodservice outlets such as healthcare facilities or on college campuses. And in fact, breaded fish dishes have grown 25% year-over-year in the noncommercial segment, according to Technomic’s MenuMonitor.
For operators who want to flex their creative muscle, fried fish dishes can be served with unique dipping sauces—in fact, that’s a great way to incorporate global flavor trends into these menu items, too. For instance, a roasted red pepper aioli dipping sauce or sweet and sour dipping sauce offer variety from the standard tartar sauce offerings. At the Grand Hyatt Denver, guests can enjoy Fish and Chips served with malted French fries, coleslaw and poblano tartar sauce—perfect for those who want a little bit of a kick.
The top flavor associated with fish dishes is lemon, so seafood dishes featuring this flavor are growing on menus. For instance, Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, serves Lemon Dill Tilapia, a mild white fish baked with lemon, white wine and dill and served with a side, while University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Pennsylvania Avenue Dining Hall serves up Tilapia with Lemon Butter and Capers.
Other citrus fish dishes to be on the lookout for include orange-ginger glazed salmon, grapefruit-and-avocado salad with scallops or tequila-lime grilled shrimp.
For operators, citrus fish dishes offer great potential because they’re familiar taste to consumers and as such are a comforting option, but they’re also a light, healthy option—perfect for those diners who are looking for fish dishes that aren’t fried.
Nashville hot chicken is popular, and that spice blend is making waves with fish, too. Consumers love spicy foods, and spice plays well with fish and seafood. For instance, Epcot at Disney World serves Spicy Fish Tacos, which include pan-seared tilapia topped with cabbage slaw and poblano pepper aioli, while Penn State University’s Pollock Dining Commons serves Salmon Cakes with spicy remoulade.
Country Inn & Suites Virginia Beach’s Also Thai restaurant offers up its Spicy Tilapia dish, as well—fried boneless tilapia mixed with sweet roasted chili paste, red onion, lemongrass, lime leaves, mint, green onion and cilantro served on shredded lettuce and carrot, accompanied by steamed Jasmine rice. Spicy fish dishes offer the versatility that operators look for—endlessly adaptable to regional tastes and preferences, spicy elements are easy to add to fish dishes of all types, from sandwiches to stir fries, tacos to noodle dishes and beyond.
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