Sanddab

Alternative Names: Whiff, Pacific sanddab

Monterey Bay Recommendation: Bon Appétit! Sanddab from the U.S. West Coast is a "Best Choice."

Uses in Cooking: These are the smallest of the flatfish. Due to their size, they are almost always pan fried whole.

Similar Fish: Rex sole, Dover sole, Bluegill

Description: These fish have a delicate and interesting meat that does well with breading. They have a lot of pin bones, but they generally lift out easily with a fork after cooking. This fish is a West coast local specialty and is worth a try.

Fun Facts: Sanddabs show up in huge numbers about once a decade along the California coast. They are usually present and are fished both commercially and recreationally, but back in 2007 it was as if the entire San Francisco bay bottom was coated with them. Perhaps we are due for another huge run soon.