Central European Fish Dishes

Kibbeling is a popular Dutch street food item consisting of pieces of fish that are dipped in batter, deep-fried in hot oil, and served with a dipping sauce such as garlic sauce, remoulade, ravigote, or whiskey sauce. In the Neth... READ MORE

Ryba po grecku is a traditional fish dish originating from Poland. Although there are variations, the dish is usually made with a combination of fish fillets (cod, haddock, tilapia, perch, pike, etc.), carrots, celery, leeks, parsley, onions, oil,... READ MORE

Brudet is one of the true classics of traditional Croatian cuisine. Prepared with a variety of seafood, this rustic stew is consumed along the entire Croatian coast. It is nearly impossible to find a unique brudet recipe, since every region, town,... READ MORE

Halászlé or fisherman's soup is made with mixed river fish cooked in a broth that is heavily spiced with hot paprika. The fish—mainly carp, catfish, perch, or pike—is locally sourced from the Tisza and Danube riv... READ MORE

Traditional Polish fish soup usually consists of fish fillets, vegetables, and a variety of spices and fresh herbs. Even though the choice of ingredients and the method of preparation might vary, the soup is usually made with a flavorful fish brot... READ MORE

At just about every haringhuis (herring stand) or vishandel (fish shop) in Amsterdam, one can buy the Dutch delicacy of smoked eel, known as gerookte paling. In the past, smoked eel was a staple in the country, but today... READ MORE

Steckerlfisch (from steckerl, meaning a small pole or a stick in Bavarian) is a staple fish specialty in beer gardens and at folk fests and fairs throughout Germany, especially in the regions of Bavaria and Franconia. It... READ MORE

Rybí polévka is a traditional fish soup that is enjoyed as a part of the festive Christmas Eve dinner. It is typically prepared with carp, various root vegetables, and different spices, but some versions also use white wine, cream, o... READ MORE

Fried fish is a classic Polish dish that can be prepared with whole fish, single or butterfly fillets, or various cutlets. Any fish variety can be employed, and whichever cut is used, the fish is usually breaded or lightly dusted with flour, befor... READ MORE

Fiš paprikaš (or hal paprikas in Hungary, with the addition of sour cream) is a traditional stew cooked in a big cauldron over an open fire. This spicy fish stew is traditionally made with a variety of freshwater fish such a... READ MORE

Gefilte fish, or stuffed fish (from gefilte, which means filled or stuffed in Yiddish), is a ubiquitous Jewish appetizer that is based on chopped or ground fish. This dish is typically prepared with ground carp, pike, or whitefish that is combined... READ MORE

Lekkerbekje is a Dutch dish consisting of fish that is dipped in batter and fried in oil. Essentially, it's the Dutch version of fish and chips. It can be found throughout the country, at numerous fish stands and markets. People often consume it r... READ MORE

This simple fish stew with potatoes is said to be the oldest way of preparing fish in Dalmatia and was probably brought to the area by Greek settlers more than 2000 years ago, although potatoes are a local modification because they were introduced... READ MORE

Šaran u rašljama is a traditional dish that is a specialty of the Croatian region of Baranja. It consists of a large carp that is placed in a divining rod and slowly cooked over a wood fire, giving it a unique smokiness and aroma. Ab... READ MORE

Out of the numerous varieties of Croatian brudet, the one that hails from the Neretva region is considered unique since it usually employs eels and frogs, two traditional ingredients used in the area. It is said that every village in the ... READ MORE

Perkelt od soma is a traditional delicacy from the Croatian region of Slavonija and Baranja, which is heavily influenced by Hungarian cuisine. This variation of the Hungarian pörkölt stew is made with sliced catfish and a combin... READ MORE

A specialty item from Holstein, kieler sprotte is a type of German smoked sprat that belongs to the herring family and inhabits the Baltic Sea. The whole fish is smoked in a unique way that makes use of a combination of beech, alder, and oak firew... READ MORE

Paling in 't groen is a Flemish specialty dish consisting of chopped eel in a unique green sauce made from white wine, parsley, spinach, mint, tarragon, sage, dill, and lemon juice. It is believed that the dish originated on the banks of the river... READ MORE

Haltepertő are traditional Hungarian fish cracklings originating from Szeged. The dish is usually made with a combination of catfish, breadcrumbs, flour, paprika, oil, and salt. The catfish fillets are cut into smaller pieces or strips that are se... READ MORE

Pijani šaran (lit. drunken carp) is an unusually named, traditional dish of the Croatian region of Slavonia and Baranya. The gutted, cleaned carp is traditionally salted and stuffed with numerous garlic cloves, then baked in an oven with fl... READ MORE

Grilled sardines are a simple, traditional seafood dish especially common in coastal Mediterranean areas and during summer months, when fresh sardines are plentiful. The dish is straightforward and emphasizes the natural flavors of the sardines: t... READ MORE

One of the traditional fish specialties of Luxembourgish cuisine, friture de la Moselle consists of various species of small fish that are battered and fried until golden and crispy. The fish are traditionally sourced from the Moselle river. After... READ MORE

Brathering is a traditional fish dish originating from Germany, consisting of marinated fried herring. Fresh herrings are rolled in flour or breaded, pan-fried, and marinated in a mixture of white wine vinegar, onions, sugar, salt, pepper, mustard... READ MORE

Tuna pašticada is tuna stew and a seafood variation on the traditional Croatian dish pašticada made with beef. The dish starts with searing floured tuna steaks, then slow-cooking them with onions, garlic, carrots, red wine, tomato pu... READ MORE

Srdele na gradele is a traditional dish originating from Dalmatia. It's made by grilling fresh sardines over an open flame on a metal grate called gradele. The sardines should be as fresh as possible. They're simply drizzled with olive oil and sea... READ MORE

Riba sa slaninom is a Croatian dish that is especially popular in the Virovitica area. It consists of trouts filled with slices of bacon, herbs and spices. The fish is baked in the oven, and during baking, it is regularly drizzled over with melted... READ MORE

Hamburger Aalsuppe is a traditional eel soup originating from Hamburg. In the past, several hundred years ago, it contained no eel and was in fact called aol suppe in northern German dialect, which means all soup, referring to th... READ MORE

Riba u soli is a traditional dish originating from Dalmatia. It consists of fish that's baked in salt crust. The fish used for the dish is usually sea bass. The insides are brushed with olive oil, while a combination of coarse and fine-grain sea s... READ MORE

Juha od oslića is a traditional fish soup originating from Dalmatia. Although there are many recipes, it's usually made with a combination of hake, garlic, tomatoes, lemon juice, rice, olive oil, bay leaves, parsley, salt, and pepper. The garlic, ... READ MORE

Grdobina u bijelom vinu is a traditional fish dish originating from the Kvarner area. The dish is usually made with a combination of angler, butter, white wine, fish stock, flour, parsley, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. The angler is filleted, sea... READ MORE

Liechtensteiner fish stew is a traditional dish from Liechtenstein made with a combination of dark rye bread, sprats, fish such as snapper, cod, or mahi-mahi, tomatoes, green onions, potatoes, garlic, celery, parsley, marjoram, smoked paprika, oli... READ MORE

Pastrva u kukuruznom brašnu is a traditional freshwater fish dish originating from Croatia. Although there are a few versions, the dish is usually made with a combination of trout, sunflower oil, cornflour, salt, lemon juice, and parsley. T... READ MORE

Srdele na savor is a traditional Istrian variation on the classic Venetian dish called sarde in saor. The dish consists of fried and marinated sardines. Although each cook prepares the dish with different ingredients, it's usually made with a comb... READ MORE

Rižot od bakalara is a traditional dish originating from Istria. The dish is usually made with a combination of cod, onions, garlic, tomato paste, risotto rice, parsley, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and grated parmesan. The cod is cooked and cut... READ MORE

Bakalar po domaću is a traditional fish dish originating from Kvarner and Istria. The dish is usually made with a combination of dried cod, potatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. The cod is so... READ MORE

Som u vinu is a traditional dish originating from the region of Slavonija. The dish is usually made with a combination of catfish, white wine, butter, salt, and lemon wedges. In order to make the dish, the catfish is first soaked in hot water, ski... READ MORE

Palamida na zeca is a Croatian fish dish originating from the area of Trogir and Čiovo. The dish is made with a combination of Atlantic bonito, onions, garlic, red wine, vinegar, prošek, bay leaves, rosemary, sage, parsley, olive oil, cornm... READ MORE

F’rell am rèisleck is a traditional fish specialty hailing from Luxembourg, consisting of freshwater trout smothered in a creamy Riesling wine sauce. After the fish has been fried in melted butter, it is covered with a mixture of Ries... READ MORE

Hiecht mat kraiderzooss is a fish specialty hailing from Luxembourg. The dish consists of poached pike finished with a green sauce that is flavored with a splash of Riesling wine. Cleaned and scaled fish is first cooked in a stock of vegetables an... READ MORE

Lunice, rupice, or gunjci is a traditional fish dish originating from the Kvarner area. The dish is usually made with a combination of sardines or anchovies, eggs, breadcrumbs, cornflour, garlic, parsley, salt, and oil. There are many variations, ... READ MORE