From Street Tacos to Bao Buns, Here’s What to Order Off of Pacific Catch’s New Summer Street Food Menu
It’s that time of the year again—spring dishes are out and summer flavors are in at La Jolla’s Pacific Catch! Their new Summer Street Food Menu is quite the “catch,” with everything from classic fish tacos and spicy tostadas to juicy watermelon margaritas. Located in the stunning coastal community of La Jolla, this wave-to-table seafood house delivers a vibrant montage of flavors sustainably sourced from around the Pacific Rim. Pacific Catch embodies the spirit of aloha with a community-centered mission, green building techniques and a passion for service. Beachy textiles, an open-air cocktail bar and an outdoor dining terrace embody a casual yet elevated dining space to feast on the flavors of these new summer arrivals. Here are five dishes worth trying this summer from Pacific Catch’s new street food menu!
Street Tacos (Grilled Fish + Hot Fish)
Street tacos will forever be a SoCal favorite, and for a good reason! These tiny, crispy morsels are the perfect post-surf snack or afternoon mood booster. Find yourself summer lovin’ on this power duo and pick your favorite of Pacific Catch’s two-piece grilled and hot fish street taco duo. The grilled fish street taco boasts a bold flavor combination of pineapple salsa, cabbage, chipotle sauce, crema, cilantro and grilled kanpachi reeled in from the warm, tropical waters off the coast of Panama. Coming in hot and spicy next to its sibling, the hot fish street taco combines the best of land and sea with crispy cod from the Gulf of Alaska, a spicy sambal glaze, pickled carrots, cabbage, sriracha aioli, jalapeno and cilantro.
Tostadas (Classic Ceviche + Spicy Scallop)
Run, don’t walk to feast on the flavors of Pacific Catch’s newest and best set of tostadas yet! Tostadas may be a Mesoamerican staple food, but they’re also a notable favorite among locals. Fried blue corn tortillas are the cornerstone of the classic ceviche and spicy scallop tostadas series, fried and sizzled to crispy perfection before being topped with all the goods. Served straight from the Fish Bar, Pacific Catch keeps the classic ceviche’s ingredient list sweet and simple. This refreshing snack screams perfection, from the yellowtail ceviche and a hefty dollop of guacamole to the dash of cilantro garnished on top. The spicy scallop tostada speaks for itself, bringing the heat with a beautiful medley of Peruvian aji amarillo set atop a generous blanket of guacamole and topped with cilantro.
Bao Buns (Seared Ahi + Hawaiian Pork Belly)
Bundled between fluffy and sweet bao buns, it’s a little too easy to fall head over “tails” in love with the Asian-inspired seared ahi and Hawaiian pork belly bao buns. A sensational fusion of Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiian fare, the Hawaiian pork belly is a multicultural masterpiece. Glazed chashu pork, sesame slaw and scallions transport guests on a culinary journey through East Asia while grilled chopped pineapple adds a tropical flare. The seafood-centered sibling to the Hawaiian pork belly, Pacific Catch’s new seared ahi bao bun is just as mouthwatering as its sister sando. Sesame-seared yellowfin tuna goes hand in hand with daikon sprouts that add a peppery note and a soulful dose of nutrient-dense vitamins. Wasabi aioli and pickled ginger round out the flavor board with sweet, herbaceous notes.
Wings: (Korean Chicken + Spicy Seabass)
Pacific Catch is getting inventive this summer season, steering away from a strictly seafood spread. While maritime cuisine remains the star of the show at this fish house, don’t be surprised to see spicy chicken wings making a seasonal appearance. Coated in a Korean gochujang glaze and dusted with sesame seeds, these Korean Chicken Wings are served alongside Pacific Catch’s house ranch and a side of cucumber banchan—don’t knock it until you try it! Seafood connoisseurs who prefer their fish to have a bit of a kick will love the spicy seabass wings. Fresh seabass caught off the coast of Baja California is drenched in a sambal glaze, mingled with a squeeze of lemon and finished with a sprinkle of scallions and sesame seeds.
Watermelon Marg
Did someone say new summer drink?! Sitting pretty in pink, the Watermelon Marg is the official drink of summer you’ll be craving well into fall. Pacific Catch knows a thing or two about fresh, wild-caught fish—and the catch of the day deserves an equally worthy cocktail to pair alongside it. A glass of pure sunshine, this mood-boosting drink is crafted from nothing but fresh, sustainably sourced and good-for-you ingredients. Lunazul reposado tequila, fresh watermelon purée, lime juice and agave nectar are shaken and poured over ice. Did we mention the bartenders add a watermelon wedge for an extra Instagrammable touch? If you find yourself parched from the heat, upgrade from a glass to a pitcher to keep the good vibes going all day long!
