Essential Dishes to Savor While Visiting Alaska

Modern Alaskan eateries offer a rich variety of delectable dishes from around the globe. Yet, an Alaskan cruise provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy local catches and homegrown specialties, alongside some distinctive elements of traditional Alaskan fare. In the coastal towns highlighted by Alaskan cruises, you’ll discover amazing fish and seafood selections at every turn, with select dining establishments showcasing more adventurous options like caribou steaks and moose stew. To truly taste traditional Alaskan cuisine, don’t hesitate to ask a local for recommendations. While exploring a bustling port city, embrace the thrill of uncovering the strange and delightful foods awaiting you.

Tip: A fantastic way to dive deeper into Alaska’s culinary scene is by joining a food-themed shore excursion, such as the Taste of Juneau walking tour or the Alaska Fishing and Wilderness Dining adventure, where you’ll have the chance to catch your own fish and prepare it over an open fire.

The Finest Fish and Seafood

Salmon

Alaska is renowned for its exceptional salmon, which is distributed worldwide but is at its most flavorful when enjoyed right at the source. This could mean an upscale dining experience featuring wild salmon paired with seasonal local produce or a hearty meal of wood-grilled salmon at a rustic lodge with stunning glacier views. Smoked salmon is also a favorite, utilizing traditional preservation methods that allow you to take a piece of Alaska home with you. You'll find an array of options, including salmon smoked over hickory, alder, or apple wood, as well as various salmon types like king, pink, silver, and red. Be sure to look for smoked salmon chowder on menus, offering a delightful Alaskan twist on a classic dish.

Pacific Halibut

Pacific halibut is a true treasure for any angler (you can try your luck at catching one on a halibut fishing excursion) and a highlight on any menu. Traditional cooking methods like grilling, frying, and steaming beautifully highlight the fish's rich flavors, while modern eateries get creative with halibut in fusion dishes, such as halibut tacos.

King Crab

Alongside fish, king crab is one of Alaska's most iconic catches, known for its massive size and distinctive appearance, made famous by reality television. Witness real-life crab fishermen in action during the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour from Ketchikan, or simply visit any dockside seafood joint to indulge in king crab legs that are as big as your arm. Dungeness crab and snow crab are also plentiful across Alaska, whether enjoyed steamed with melted butter or transformed into dishes like crab cakes, crab bisque, and crab rolls.

Spot Prawns and Oysters

When you travel to Alaska, don’t miss out on spot prawns, which are large, sweet shrimp caught locally in season, and oysters, cultivated year-round in Alaska’s chilly waters and served either raw or cooked. Be sure to seek out oysters from Kachemak Bay, renowned for their impressive size and sweet flavor.

Unique Alaskan Meat Dishes

In Alaska, local hunters have the opportunity to harvest a variety of game, including moose, caribou, elk, and bear. While you might find dishes like moose stew or caribou chili on some restaurant menus, there are also a few distinctive Alaskan meat dishes that are more commonly available. One such dish is reindeer sausage, which frequently takes the place of traditional sausages, for instance, on pizzas or as the popular street food known as reindeer dogs. Burgers, a quintessential American favorite, get an Alaskan twist with the availability of yak burgers sourced from a commercial yak ranch in the Copper River Valley.

Traditional Native Alaskan Dishes

The native cuisine of Alaska is deeply rooted in its cultural heritage, focusing on ingredients like fish, seal, whale, game birds, and meats that are rarely found on menus in the contiguous United States. If you have the opportunity, consider sampling a couple of unique native Alaskan specialties. Muktuk, which consists of sliced whale skin, blubber, and meat, is traditionally enjoyed raw and frozen, though it can also be cooked. Alaskan ice cream may appear to be a standard treat, but its unconventional ingredients include seal oil, dried fish, moose or caribou, blended with snow and wild berries. More familiar options include salmon candy and a variety of jerky made from caribou, reindeer, elk, and fish.

Alaskan Craft Beer

Alaska boasts a vibrant craft brewery scene. While a few local breweries have gained fame beyond the state's borders, many smaller craft breweries showcase their beers on local menus, perfectly pairing with Alaskan cuisine. Some establishments offer flights of Alaskan beers, providing an excellent way to sample different varieties. Among the locally brewed options are IPAs, summer ales, amber ales, and lagers. Keep an eye out for a unique brew from Sitka that incorporates spruce tips.

A Bounty of Wild Berries

Across Alaska, a wide range of wild berries flourish seasonally, some familiar and others that may be new to you. Wild blueberries and cranberries from Alaska are typically sweeter and smaller than their cultivated counterparts. Be on the lookout for cloudberries, lingonberries, mossberries, and salmonberries, which resemble yellow or orange raspberries but offer a distinct flavor. Enjoy fresh berries in pies, cobblers, or sourdough bread pudding. You might also consider bringing home some jams and jellies as delightful souvenirs from Alaska.

Even the pickiest eaters will discover an abundance of delicious dishes to enjoy in Alaska. Come to the Last Frontier with a hearty appetite and an adventurous spirit, and you’ll be set for an unforgettable culinary journey.

Note: Activities onboard, shore excursions, and dining choices may differ by ship and destination.