August is a transitional month with a wide selection at the fish counter. We'll go over why crab, mackerel, mussels, shrimp and fresh fish are the best choices for late summer, and how to serve them easily.
Why is August a good month for seafood?
August is a transitional month. Several of the summer favorites are still of high quality, while autumn seafood is starting to arrive. This provides an unusually wide selection at the fish counter – light, summery dishes and slightly more substantial autumn food in the same week. Seafood in August can therefore be varied, seasonal, and affordable, and many ingredients are at their very best just before autumn fully sets in.
What seafood is best in August?
Crabis the highlight of late summer. After August, it becomes fuller and the meat firmer, and it needs nothing more than mayonnaise, lemon and bread.
Mackerelnow has the most fat and the most flavor. It can withstand curing, smoking, and a quick encounter with a hot pan – and is just as good cold the next day.
Blue Musselgets better as the water temperature drops. Simple, elegant and ready in ten minutes.
Carideastill belongs on the table in August, preferably as a meal you just set out and let people help themselves to.
fresh fishvaries with catch and weather. Fish in August is less about one specific species and more about what is actually best on the day you shop.
How to put together a simple late summer meal
Late summer food needs little. A plate of fresh seafood, good bread, lemon and fresh herbs is often enough for an entire meal.
If you want to make it a little bigger, you can put together a sharing platter with several types of seafood and let your guests decide for themselves. On cooler evenings, warm mussels in white wine or a simple pan-fried fish dish are a better choice.
This goes well with simple side dishes: a crispy salad, freshly boiled potatoes or a bowl of aioli.
What should you ask the fishmonger?
The selection changes with season, catch and quality – some days the crab is impeccable, other days it's the fish that shines.
So ask what's freshest today, what suits your occasion, and how the ingredient should be prepared. A good answer over the counter saves you both guesswork and disappointment.
Fresh seafood in Oslo in August
At Vulkanfisk in Mathallen Oslo you will find fresh seafood in season, selected according to the quality of the day. Here you can buy fresh seafood to take home, eat in the restaurant, or get specific advice from people who handle the ingredients daily.
Read more about the selection at Vulkanfisk here.
Seafood and late summer in Oslo
Late summer is a great time for seafood in Oslo. Mathallen and the Vulkan area offer bright evenings, outdoor seating and a short distance between the fish counter and the dinner table – whether you're looking for fresh fish in Oslo for the weekend or want to eat shellfish outside while the weather holds.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about seafood in August
What seafood is best in August?Crab, mackerel, mussels and shrimp are among the safest choices, in addition to fresh fish depending on the day's catch.
Where can you buy fresh seafood in Oslo?In Mathallen Oslo you will find fresh seafood over the counter, including at Vulkanfisk, with guidance on the season and preparation.
What goes well with a simple late summer meal with seafood?Bread, lemon, herbs, aioli, salad or freshly boiled potatoes – simple accompaniments that let the ingredient dominate.
August is the month to shop by season and make it easy without compromising on taste. Stop by Mathallen Oslo, see what's on the counter today, and get advice along the way.
