Eating like a local is a must when you’re traveling to new locations.
Especially in a place like Alaska, there’s tons of fresh, bright, and exotic tastes to try.
The state of Alaska has a lot to offer its visitors, but their foods are just the beginning of the adventure.
What Food Do They Eat in Alaska?
Apart from the various foods Alaskans love, it’s no surprise that seafood dominates more than a few of them.
#1. Salmon
Alaska’s location is prime for enjoying all kinds of high-quality, fresh salmon.
Alaska has an abundance of wild salmon because every year, thousands of them swim from the open ocean into Alaskan rivers to spawn from May to October.
There are many different salmon species that you can try, and some of them can even get up to 100 lbs.!
If you’ve ever bought Alaskan salmon at the store, it’s likely one of these species:
- Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon): the most well-known and favored among fish-lovers.
- Coho Salmon (Silver Salmon): considered the best salmon for grilling.
- Chinook Salmon (King Salmon): the largest, wild Pacific salmon that has the highest fat content out of all species. King salmon tend to be more expensive, but their rich flavor is worth it!
- Chum Salmon (Dog Salmon): known for its light-colored flesh and low-fat content.
- Humpback Salmon (Pink Salmon): a light-flavored salmon that is perfect for grilling, roasting, smoking, baking, or even enjoying raw.
#2. King Crab
If you didn’t have fresh king crab during your visit, did you really even go to Alaska?
Because of its short (and dangerous) fishing season, king crab is a delicacy that is shipped and enjoyed all over the world.
King crab is especially popular in Alaska because you can prepare it lots of different ways, from crab cakes to crab dip, crab pasta, chowder, and more.
#3. Fish and Chips
We’re staying on the seafood trend with #3, although you can enjoy this meal just about anywhere (for half the price).
Alaskan fish and chips are still made with traditional cod or perch, but they’re even tastier than at your local bar.
Boardwalk shops lure hungry visitors with fresh, flakey, golden fish and chips all along the coast. Grab a basket while you’re strolling through town to savor a native favorite.
Oysters
Alaska’s small-but-growing oyster farm industry produces exceptional shellfish, despite the chilly temperatures.
Because their currents are filled with plankton, the oysters grow quickly and are ready to harvest in 18 to 36 months.
Southeast Alaska sells about two-million oysters per year, and you can find them in most restaurants. Oysters can be enjoyed raw, baked or in sauces.
Reindeer Sausage or Reindeer Dogs
Alaskan natives have preserved wild game meats for decades, making non-native reindeer meats a popular fare.
Spicy reindeer sausage has become a staple of Alaska’s culinary scene where you can enjoy it for any and all meals, whether it is seasoned, smoked, or cured.
You can even combine reindeer sausage with other meats to make hot dogs.
Wild Berry Cobbler
Alaska is the exception if you typically skip dessert.
Well-known for its berries, Alaska breeds tons of familiar and unusual berry species from blueberries to cloudberries, lingonberries and more.
Berry cobbler is a popular dessert and one of the best ways to savor all different berry flavors. Order with a scoop of eskimo ice cream for the perfect conclusion to any meal.
Alaskan dishes vary from smoked salmon to wild game, berry cobbler, plus everything in between.
If you’re an avid coffee drinker, make sure that you visit the Kaladi Brothers coffee shop. If beer is more your speed, just about any craft brewery in Alaska will impress you.