100 Temptations of Salmon

   When it comes to one of the world's most popular ingredients, salmon is definitely on the list. Its reddish-orange flesh, delicate and rich flavor, and abundant nutritional value have made it a place on the tables of all nations.

From sashimi in Japanese restaurants to marinated fish in Northern Europe, from Western grilled fish steaks to Asian teriyaki rice, salmon has a place in almost everything. In this article, we'll take you on a journey through 15 classic ways to eat salmon around the world, including raw, cooked and creative dishes, along with practical advice to help you eat fresh, authentic and layered.

Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned “foodie”, you'll find new inspiration in this book.

The ultimate raw food pleasure: savoring the purest freshness of salmon!

1. Japanese sashimi: the art of flavor and knife work

Japan is one of the birthplaces of salmon “raw food culture”. High-quality salmon sashimi should be selected from the belly part of the fish, which has the most uniform oil distribution. The chef cuts the fish into medium-thin slices with a delicate diagonal cut and dips them in soy sauce and fresh wasabi. The main point is “freshness”, and the moment the fish melts on your tongue, it is an unparalleled experience.

Pairing suggestions: cold sake, light sushi rice, shiso leaf.

2. Salmon Sushi / Handshake Sushi

Salmon has a very high place in the sushi world. Whether it's a grip sushi layered over vinegared rice or wrapped into a roll, California rolls release a soft aroma as the warm rice bakes it. Adding avocado, cream cheese or flying fish roe also creates a multitude of flavors.

3. Scandinavian Cured Salmon (Gravlax): Salty and refreshing

Originating from Sweden and Finland, this cured fish is raw salmon cured with salt, sugar and dill for 2-3 days. Eaten thinly sliced and served with rye bread, sweet mustard sauce or yogurt, it has a unique flavor and is a regular at festive banquets.

4. Korean Salmon Bibimbap (회덮밥): Raw and Spicy Collision

Koreans love to serve raw fish with spicy sauce and vinegar over rice. The oils of salmon are neutralized by the spicy flavor, and the texture is smooth and tender without being greasy, making it a very popular cold dish in the summer.

Deli party heaven: baptism by fire brings a new soul

1. Pan-fried Salmon Fillet: Crispy on the Outside, Tender on the Inside, the Way to Eat It

Pan-fried salmon in a hot pan is a dish that anyone can master. Marinate the salmon fillets in salt and black pepper, place them in a hot pan and sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side to get a golden crisp and lock in the internal juices. Remove from the pan and serve with a squeeze of lemon juice for a simple yet stunning presentation.

Tips: Drain the water before frying the skin and keep the pan hot enough.

2. salmon cream bake: rich control of the favorite

The combination of salmon with cream and cheese is a regular feature of European family tables. The smoothness of the cream blends with the sweetness of the fish and is often served with baked potatoes or vegetables.

3. Teriyaki Salmon: The King of Chinese-Japanese Mixed Meals

The salmon is pan-fried until it is about 80% cooked, then the teriyaki sauce is added with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, and the sauce is reduced until it thickens. The surface of the fish is coated with a layer of shiny sauce, which is aromatic and perfect for serving with rice.

4. Salmon Miso Soup / Fish Head Nabe: Warm Taste of Home

In Hokkaido, salmon is used to cook miso soup or toro nabe. Adding tofu, scallions, and cabbage to the rich miso soup base makes the fish even sweeter, making it the warmest choice for cold winters.

5. Smoked salmon: the evergreen of the breakfast world

Low-temperature, slow-smoked salmon has a rich flavor and a distinctive smoky aroma. It is the soulful ingredient of English breakfast, bagel sandwiches or cold salads. It can be served with yogurt sauce, pickled onions, olives and cucumber slices.

Fusion trend: new and trendy ways to play with salmon

1. Salmon Tartare: the face of the cold appetizer world

Dicing raw salmon, mixing it with avocado, onion, olive oil and lemon juice and pressing it into a mold shape is a common appetizer in French cuisine. With refreshing taste and rich layers, it is a standard in fashionable restaurants.

2. Salmon tacos / cuttlefish rice: a creative dish with the flavor of sunshine

Mexicans love to roll the fried salmon with avocado puree, yogurt and salsa into Taco. And in Spanish restaurants, seafood cuttlefish rice made with salmon will appear, with attractive color and rich flavor.

3. Thai Spicy and Sour Salmon Salad

This salad mixes salmon with lemon juice, fish sauce, chili and cilantro, which is hot and sour and appetizing, and is a special cold dish in Thai food. It is suitable for diners who seek for exciting taste.

Recommendations for easy eating at home: quick and ritualistic

1. Salmon Fried Rice / Fried Spaghetti

Chop up the leftover fried salmon and add it to fried rice or fried pasta, the flavor is immediately upgraded to a higher level. It can be served with simple ingredients such as onions, eggs and bean sprouts.

2. Salmon Sandwich / Bagel

Grilled slice of bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and lettuce is the most common healthy pairing in European and American breakfasts, which is easy to do and full of nutrients.

3. Salmon and Tofu Casserole: A Gentle Asian Flavor Cuisine

Stew salmon with tender tofu, mushrooms, enoki mushrooms and cabbage, add a little soy sauce and ginger, slightly salty, tender and delicious, very suitable for home winter table.

Golden tips for eating salmon: Deliciousness is not only in the way it is prepared, but also in the details.

Choose the right part: fish belly is suitable for raw food, fish back is suitable for frying, fish head is suitable for stew.

Freshness and cold chain are important in raw food: prefer products labeled “Sashimi Grade” and eat them as soon as possible after thawing.

Don't over-heat: Salmon is easy to overcook, so it's important to keep it tender.

Sauces are important: Lemon juice, teriyaki sauce, cheese, herb cream, and sweet chili sauce can bring out different styles.

Keep an eye on the spines and skin: Remove the spines before eating raw, and keep the skin on cooked fish for extra flavor.

From the depths of the Norwegian sea to your kitchen, salmon is no longer just a “sushi sidekick” or a “gym meal”, it's already on the global culinary map. You can enjoy its raw richness in the simplest of sautéed dishes, or you can explore new possibilities with exotic sauces. There is always a way to eat it that will surprise your taste buds.

For your next meal, why not start with a salmon dish?