Written By: Mimi Dang
It’s not your fault if you have an abnormal obsession for sushi, carpaccio, ceviche, or sashimi. The delicate muscle makeup of a fish gives it that silky smooth texture that we simply can’t put down. Sushi novices and experts alike can’t resist a good quality meal made up of oysters, raw fish, or any seafood, really. Packed with protein, and simultaneously low calorie, this guilt free dish makes this obsession less of a “guilty pleasure,” and more of a healthy meal you can brag about. So with the approval of science, we give you our guide to Orange County’s best selection of seafood (raw and cooked)!
Bluegold
Who doesn’t love a good bloody mary? Mix that with an oyster and you got yourself a grade A Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter complete with fried uni chips. Head to Bluegold for a top notch raw bar, oysters, steam kettles, and, of course, the Deluxe Shellfish Tower for those who can’t get enough seafood. Stacked with half a pound of alaskan snow crab, whole maine lobster, a dozen oysters and six pieces of shrimp. This tower will keep you satisfied until your next visit to Bluegold.
21016 Pacific Coast Highway Ste D200
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.374.0038 | www.dinebluegold.com
Shuck Oyster Bar
Shuck Oyster Bar, like the oyster itself, is small, but mighty in flavor! Located at the OC Mix in Costa Mesa’s SOCO, these oysters are hand selected from over sixty farms, just one day out of the water, and always guaranteed fresh. Added bonus about this spot: no corkage fee! So sip on some wine, and watch your oysters being shucked in front of you. Shuck also randomly adds happy hours (on weekends too!), so add them to your social media account!
3313 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
949.420.0478 | www.shuckoysterbar.com
Ways & Means Oyster House
Way & Means is your answer for American seafood in Huntington Beach. With a tapas style menu, and an ocean view, this is the spot for a quick lunch or date night. Way & Means is all about fresh and sustainably caught seafood, with a specialization in oysters—which are served with a champagne mignonette, lemon, and Tabasco. They also do oysters dressed with different accoutrements to complement the natural essence of the oyster (we suggest the Burlesque Shooter)! Pair your seafood with one of their signature beers to complete your meal! And if oysters aren’t your thing, try their Ahi Poke or Blackened Ahi Salad!
21022 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The Oyster Bar
If raw fish isn’t your thing, but bold and heartwarming seafood is, The Oyster Bar is your place! They specialize in steam kettle Creole concoctions that delivers comfort in a bowl. A must try is their Pan Roast, which will leave you filled, but not stuffed. The Pan Roast has a tomato cream base, infused with Creole spices, and served with rice and your selection of protein (shrimp, crab, clams, lobster, or chicken and andouille sausage). Friday and Saturday nights also feature a DJ from 9:30 p.m. to 1a.m.!
2626 E Katella Ave #206
Anaheim, CA 92806
Red O Taste of Mexico
If you’re in the mood for ceviche, Red O Taste of Mexico delivers one that is a bright and refreshing palate! Their Shrimp Ceviche is made with pico de gallo, cucumbers, serrano, avocado, lime juice, and plantain chips. If you’re looking for something heartier, their Shrimp Enchiladas or Mariscos Chile Relleno fit the bill! Going along with the theme of light and refreshing, order the Organic Skinny Margarita to tie your meal together.
143 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.718.0300 | www.redorestaurant.com
Santa Monica Seafood
Santa Monica Seafood not only provides fresh seafood to prepare at home, but also onsite at their cafe. This place is a long time, family-run favorite, having been in the community for the several years. The menu offers a variety of fresh seafood and specials that change weekly, like their Pan Roasted Barramundi, topped with basil marinated tomatoes and served with roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables, or a Cajun rubbed Steelhead Trout Salad with baby arugula, fennel, grape tomatoes, red onions, and oranges in a lemon oil dressing—nom! They also have Taco Thursdays, where they’re serving up seafood tacos for $3 (from 2pm-5pm)!
154 E. 17th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.574.0274 | www.smseafoodmarket.com
San Shi Go
San Shi Go is a quaint Japanese restaurant that offers traditional Japanese cuisine with the highest standards of customer service. The Omakase, leaves your dining choices up to the chef (which you’ll know will be A+). The Omakase platter is all about details. They even make their own soy sauce! The platter was a show-stopper with toro, king mackerel, yellowtail, and yagara, a seasonal Japanese white fish.
205 Main Street
Newport Beach, CA 92661
949.673.3724 | www.345okidoki.com
Water Grill
Being seafood centric there is plenty to choose from their Raw Bar, from Kumamoto Oysters to Farmed Peruvian Bay Scallops. But a highlight on their menu is their Wild Ross Sea Chilean Sea Bass, which is seared to perfection and topped with sage brown butter and a side of butternut squash gnocchi.
3300 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
EMC Seafood & Raw Bar
EMC Seafood & Raw Bar has got you covered if you’re looking for all things uni! Live uni is served in addition to the fresh oysters and is also part of the seafood tower, but uni is the true star of the Uni Pasta. Bathed in a rich cream sauce with the perfect amounts of uni flavor, the Uni Pasta has an umami explosion of flavors! And if you’re an Uni purist, definitely try their Fresh Uni!
14346 Culver Dr
Irvine, CA 92604
949.748.3979 | www.emcseafood.com
The CATCH
After the ball game, stop by and check out this restaurant. Try the Sizzling Yellowtail Sashimi, which is prepared at your table and features yellowtail accompanied with sushi rice, green onion, cilantro, ginger, chili soy sauce, and topped off with crispy shallow, and tobiko caviar. But if you’re coming to The Catch, you definitely need to order the Legendary Chilean Sea Bass, which is prepared to perfection and is placed on top a bed of fried basmati rice, crispy bay shrimp, ginger carrot puree, spicy sesame tomatoes and lemon butter.
2100 E. Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92806
714.835.0101 | www.catchanaheim.com