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Get your shrimp on for the next month at these locations around the Lower Mainland.
It’s everyone’s favourite fifth season of the year. That’s right, not patio season—spot prawn season. Spot prawns joined the daily catch on May 15th and will only be shrimping around until the end of June. Whether you want to try your hand at cooking these bad boys at home or want to sample spot prawn dishes from some classic seafood spots, there are plenty of ways to get your fill of these juicy West Coast crustaceans.
Spot prawns are known for their sweet flavour and buttery, delicate texture. These above-average BC creatures are called spot prawns because (shockingly) they have a characteristic white spot on their tail along with some horizontal lines.
Though they’re native to the West Coast, people around the world get their fix when the season starts in May. Here are 10 (with a few extra at the tail) places to source some spot prawns before the season’s end.
BC Live Spot Prawns & Seafood (BCLSPS) sells fresh-caught seafood and spot prawns directly from fishers. Open at 10:00 AM daily, head to Ladner Wharf early as it’s a first-come, first-served basis to purchase the day’s catch at market price. If you can’t make the trip but want to secure live spot prawns from BCLSPS, you can order online for home delivery to the Greater Vancouver area.
Cost: $25-$30 per pound Dates: May 17th until the season’s end Address: Ladner Wharf, 5000 Elliott Street, Delta Website: bclivespotprawns.com
The much-anticipated 2024 Spot Prawn Festival is happening this weekend on Sunday, May 26th. Funds from this family-friendly event support the Chef’s Table Society of BC, a festival co-host alongside the Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association.
There are three ways to celebrate at this year’s spot prawn fest. Stroll along the docks with some live music and cooking demos, sample a bowl of the Spot Prawn Bisque for $10, or go all-in with the 6-course, adults-only Spot Prawn Brunch tasting menu. For bonus spot prawn fun, the festival features a host of recipes curated by local chefs.
Cost: Free to attend with optional purchases, $79 per person for Spot Prawn Brunch Dates: Sunday, May 26th, 11am-3pm Address: False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf, 1505 West 1st Ave, Vancouver Website: spotprawnfestival.com
Looking for something closer to Richmond? The suburb is hosting a range of celebrations until June 16th. There are daily fresh spot prawn sales at the Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf and a list of restaurants participating in the Dine About promotion with dishes featuring that special prawn. Even Globe @YVR is part of the line-up, so you can sneak in that last spot prawn before take-off. It all comes to a head on June 8th with Spot Prawn Day featuring live music, street circus performers, and culinary demonstrations from top local chefs.
Cost: Free to attend, with optional purchases Dates: May 17th – June 16th Address: Steveston Fishermen’s Wharf, 3866 Bayview St., Richmond, up to Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, 12138 4th Ave, Richmond Website: stevestonspotprawns.com
Want spot prawns for five whole courses—including dessert? Look no further than the spot prawn celebration dinner at Straight & Marrow prepared by chef Chris Lam. For one night only, you can sample spot prawns in (almost) every form, with dishes like the spot prawn etoufee risotto and the corn panna cotta with spot prawn powder.
Cost: $94 per person Dates: May 27th after 6pm Address: 1869 Powell St Website: exploretock.com/straightandmarrow
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fanny Bay Oysters (@fannybayoysters)
A post shared by Fanny Bay Oysters (@fannybayoysters)
Fanny Bay Oyster and Shellfish Market has added spot prawns to their dinner and market menu to mark the season. For your next dine-out trip, try spot prawns sashimi-style at the raw bar (and if you’re missing the head, you can add it fried and coated with paprika for an extra $2 per head). You can enjoy their classic dishes with spot prawns too, like upgrading the paella for $8 per cooked piece. Ask about chef Tommy Shorthouse’s rotating spot-prawn-themed feature dish for even more prawn options. And if you’re still left craving the seafood treat after the meal, you can purchase the live prawn from the market to prepare at home for $32/lb.
Cost: Spot prawn menu items range from $7 – $30, live spot prawns available for $32 per pound Dates: Now until the season’s end Address: 762 Cambie Street Website: fannybayoysters.com/location/oyster-bar–shellfish-market
Vancouver’s most adorable seaside marketplace—Granville Island—is of course a source for spot prawns. Local seafood vendor, The Lobster Man, is selling spot prawns online by the pound, with pick-up on location. You can shop in person for the prawn too, but make sure to get there early before the fresh batch sells out.
Cost: $27.99 per pound Dates: May 16th until the season’s end Address: Granville Island, 1807 Mast Tower Lane, Vancouver Website: lobsterman.com
Fresh Ideas Start Here (aptly named FISH for short) is offering a variety of spot prawn products along with live spot prawn catch. You can try the frozen spot prawn mac n’ cheese or the frozen spot prawn uni quesadilla to last beyond the fresh season. Want the taste of spot prawn without eating the bulky shrimp itself? FISH also sells a spot prawn yuzu aioli and spot prawn supreme chili oil. They also have a live spot prawn pre-order up to three days in advance at market price.
Cost: Spot prawn products range from $5.95-$20, live spot prawn orders $26.99 per pound Dates: May 16th until the season’s end Address: #180 7515 Market Crossing, Burnaby Website: eatfish.ca/collections/everything-spot-prawn
When in Surrey, get your spot prawn fill with feature dishes at Skye Avenue Kitchen & Lounge. Some of their temporary menu items include the spot prawn ceviche with lime juice, avocado, thai chilli and corn tostadas or grilled spot prawns as-is accompanied by a Peruvian chimichurri and fresh arugula.
Cost: Spot prawn menu items range from $23-$26 Dates: May 15th until the season’s end Address: 13450 102 Ave #190, Surrey Website: skyeavenue.com
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Smitty’s Oyster House Main Street (@smittysoysterhouse.on.main)
A post shared by Smitty’s Oyster House Main Street (@smittysoysterhouse.on.main)
It wouldn’t be an oyster house without spot prawns. Chef Alan at Smitty’s on Main is bringing back two prawn specials to hit the spot. These meals include the spot prawn and scallop aguachile and a spot prawn Paella on Fridays for the best of all seafood worlds.
Cost: Spot prawn paella at market price Dates: May 15th until the season’s end Address: 3124 Main St, Vancouver Website: smittysoysterhousemainstreet.com
The Glowbal Restaurant Group is showing off their culinary range with spot prawn dishes at a number of their locations.
Their main restaurant, Glowbal has three different spot prawn dishes to try: the spot prawns & Hokkaido scallop crudo, spot prawns “bibim-naengmyeon” Korean style chilled noodles and spot prawns and mussels with fennel apple slaw and ciabatta toast.
Cost: Spot prawn menu items range from $25-$36 Dates: May 15th until quantities last Address: 590 W Georgia St. Website: glowbalgroup.com/glowbal
There’s no shortage of spot prawn options at Glowbal’s Coast restaurant. Bury yourself in spot prawns with the spot prawn stack, including mango, radish, and spicy mayo or order the spot prawn crudo with yuzu-brown butter vinaigrette. For a pasta twist, try the spot prawn fettuccine with squid ink, bisque and bottarga.
Cost: Spot prawn menu items range from $12-$36 Dates: May 15th until quantities last Address: 1054 Alberni St. Website: glowbalgroup.com/coast
Looking for an Italian take on spot prawns? Glowbal’s Italian Kitchen has several additions to their menu, like the spot prawn fritto with ricotta stuffed zucchini blossom, the spot prawn tagliolini with honey mussels and BC sea urchin and the BC halibut and grilled spot prawns with fire morels and white asparagus risotto.
Cost: Spot prawn menu items range from $28-$62 Dates: May 15th until quantities last Address: 860 Burrard St. Website: glowbalgroup.com/italiankitchen
Here’s another spot prawn tasting menu to add to your list. Enjoy four courses of spot prawn with a waterfront view at Glowbal’s Five Sails. For $110 per person, some course highlights include the spot prawn ravioli with scallop mousse and a yuzu curd with finger lime and apricot sorbet to finish the meal.
Cost: $110 per person Dates: May 15th until quantities last Address: 410-999 Canada Place Website: glowbalgroup.com/five-sails
