As a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is home to countless fish species. So, it should come as no surprise that residents eat three times as much fish as the rest of the United States. Hawaiians are experts on a myriad of ways to prepare delicious seafood—the following are three classic fish species and a handful of cooking methods to make delectable seafood dishes.

3 Native Hawaiian Fish & the Best Ways to Cook Them

1. Yellowfin Tuna

Also known as ahi, this pink to deep-red tuna is the staple in many popular Hawaiian recipes. It has a firm texture and mild flavor, which makes it one of the more popular fish options for raw sashimi or sushi rolls. It is also frequently used in poke—pronounced “poh-kay”—a salad consisting of cubed raw fish marinated in sesame oil or soy sauce and combined with seaweed and other vegetables. Yellowfin is also the perfect fish for adapting to recipes as it does well when blackened, seared, or even grilled.  

2. Bigeye Tuna

Since yellowfin and bigeye tuna are both typically referred to as “ahi” in Hawaii, customers have to state which one they want if they have a preference. The main differences between the two is that bigeye is often plumper and its meat usually has a higher fat content. For this reason—and its stronger flavor profile—sashimi lovers tend to prefer it over yellowfin. Its fat content also makes it a great fish species for grilling, but most experts recommend keeping it simple and not overcooking it or you risk developing a tough texture and a bland taste.

3. Striped Marlin

Striped marlin, or “nairagi”, is probably the most popular marlin fish species for eating. It has a firm texture and mild flavor and is usually a favorite sashimi option. However, many people also prefer to marinate this fish in lime juice, salt, and pepper before coating it in flour and searing in a hot pan. Also, like most other fish, it is best not to cook above medium-rare or you could lose its unique flavor and texture.

If your business requires fresh or frozen seafood, Tropic Fish Hawaii in Honolulu has a quality product list of fish they receive directly from local auctions and fisherman. They are the largest distributor of seafood in Hawaii and can custom tailor your program. For more information, you can visit their website or give them a call at (808) 591-2936.