Crudo bars, like Embassy's, serve raw fish dressed with oil and citrus juices, and are growing in popularity. Crudo bars, like Embassy's, serve raw fish dressed with oil and citrus juices, and are growing in popularity.

Alternative seafood concepts
As diners become more adventurous in their tastes, the popularity of multi-species dishes is growing. The emphasis is now firmly on freshness, enabling raw seafood concepts to flourish in the region.

Chefs report that sushi and ceviche have grown in popularity. Both dishes utilise raw seafood, so have to be produced fresh, often at a live cooking station.

“We currently have a wide range of seafood on our menu from octopus to salmon,” explains Gaucho Dubai head chef, Philip Neil, “and our most popular seafood dish at the moment is salmon ceviche.

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“The growth of ceviche and sushi has had a major impact on the marketplace. The palate of consumers has undergone a huge change through exposure to new species of fish from the various international cuisines that have become popular here in recent years.

“At the end of the day, great seafood should be kept simple. Allow the product to speak for itself. A good quality fish cooked and prepared well will always speak volumes.”

Similarly, Abba Seafood has experienced growth in the Middle East with its Swedish Tapas Range, launched last year.

The region’s fast-expanding market and its thirst for new seafood concepts has proved profitable for the company. Exhibiting at Gulfood for the second time this year, Abba Seafood served up 7000 tastings in just four days.

“In the Middle East we spotted an increased consumer demand for seafood,” explains Abba Seafood senior account manager, Helena Engblom. “We identified that there are more international influences than ever before leading consumers to be braver and more curious; they find it exciting to try out new products.

“Furthermore, Sweden is a country famous for delivering innovative high-quality products with great taste. These are key factors appreciated by Middle East consumers. As a result, out products are proving popular and the market continues to expand.”

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