Seafood stews in the capital of British Columbia
Victoria is a picturesque capital at the tip of Vancouver Island. What it doesn’t have is a specialty dish. There are several fish and chips restaurants. Lacking the appetite to try all of them, I opted for chowder instead. Good news is that they come in tiny cup sizes. With all the different variations, chowders might become the Victorian specialty.
The Fish Store
This is a fishmonger and seafood takeaway at Fisherman’s Wharf. I’m not sure why they bother having a fish store when the cooked foods are clearly the draw for tourists.
Their chowder is a novel 3-way salmon concoction: salmon fillet, smoked salmon, and finished with candied salmon.
Obviously, it was a very salmon-y experience. It was a thick, gooey chowder. The smoked salmon lingered in the background while the fresh one provided bite. Candied pieces gave pops of sweetness and contrasting textures. 8/10.
Fishhook
This is one of Victoria’s most intriguing restaurants. It offers Canadian-Indian fusion seafood and is one-of-a-kind in the city.
Their take on a chowder is 75% South Indian curry and 25% regular chowder. The thyme-roasted potatoes gave it a traditional flavour profile while the masala and coconut milk are recognizably Indian. The fish was tender as were the other vegetables in it. They could have skimmed off the thick layer of oil on top, but it’s traditional for some curries to be this way. 8/10.
Red Fish Blue Fish
Another tourist favourite, this stall has a prime location on the waterfront.
This chowder was twice as large than its competitors for the same price. But it was also more runny and had more filler like corn kernels. The broth was based on coconut milk and chipotle. It was mildly spicy and tasted vaguely like a South Indian curry. Unfortunately, the Pacific whitefish was overcooked and rubbery. 7/10.
Other chowder restaurants to try
Although there are several pubs that offer chowder, it’s best to go to a seafood specialist. There are quite a number to choose from for a small city.
- Barbara’s Fish and Chips: Competitor to The Fish Store.
- Finn’s Seafood: Conventional chowder and one size only.
- Heron Rock Bistro: Canadian seafood bistro.
- Shuck Taylor’s: Oyster bar with token chowder.
Where to eat chowders in Toronto
Toronto is not really a chowder destination. For classic East coast chowders, Pearl Diver, Honest Weight, and Rodney’s Oyster House are competent seafood houses.
Verdict
For those wish to graze around Victoria, a chowder tour gives a good idea of the culinary diversity of the city.
Practical information
The Fish Store
- Rating
- 8/10
- Prices
- 3-way salmon chowder: $6.30 (including tax)
- Address
- 1 Dallas Road
- Hours
- Daily 1100h – 2000h
- Date of visit
- September 2022
Fishhook
- Rating
- 8/10
- Prices
- Chowder (small): $6.30 (including tax)
- Address
- 805 Fort Street
- Hours
- Tuesday to Thursday 1130h – 2000h
Friday to Saturday 1130h – 2100h
Sunday 1130h – 2000h - Date of visit
- September 2022
Red Fish Blue Fish
- Rating
- 7/10
- Prices
- Chowder (cup): $6.30 (including tax)
- Address
- 1006 Wharf Street
- Hours
- Daily 1100h – 2100h
- Date of visit
- September 2022