16 Foods of Alaska: Must-Try Local Alaskan Dishes
If you're traveling to Alaska, you won't want to miss the state's traditional foods! Alaska might be known for its national parks, pristine wilderness, and amazing wildlife, but when it comes to Alaskan food, there's also a lot to explore.
Sampling the local cuisine is crucial for truly understanding a place. In Alaska, the food culture is deeply influenced by its connection with the ocean, rich natural resources, and the traditions of indigenous communities.
What Food Is Alaska Known For?
In its coastal regions, Alaska is known for an abundance of seafood. But the wild game of Alaska’s interior and the unique indigenous dishes from throughout the state are also worth trying.
With a rich history and diverse culture, the 49th state boasts a cuisine as varied as its landscape. Traditional Alaskan foods range from king crab legs to reindeer sausages to raw whale blubber.
What is the most famous food in alaska?
Salmon and crab are two of Alaska's most famous foods, and there are plenty of places at which to indulge in these local specialties. Ketchikan, in southeast Alaska, known as the "Salmon Capital of the World,” is a great starting point.
Since Alaska is home to five different salmon species, it's no surprise that fresh salmon is a staple of the state's cuisine. Whether the local catch is grilled, smoked, baked, or dehydrated into jerky, every city offers eateries to savor its delicious flavor. In Juneau, the state’s capital, one vendor even adds it to donuts (see below)!
Must-Try Alaskan Foods
Although Alaska may not have the same foodie caché as some other states like New York, California, or even South Carolina, there is a bounty of deliciousness to behold.
1. Alaskan King Crab Legs
Alaskan king crab legs, one of the most famous Alaska foods
Alaska is known for its crabs. And the Alaskan king crabs from the Bering Sea are considered some of the best in the world. The sweet, succulent meat is usually served steamed with butter and lemon. YUM! This simple preparation is my favorite of all Alaskan dishes!
Seriously, these huge legs filled with tender meat are completely different from the blue crabs you find in Maryland, Virginia, and New Orleans, or the Dungeness crab savored in Oregon and San Francisco.
Our favorite spot for king crab is the Halibut Point Crab and Chowder in Sitka, conveniently located at the Sitka Sound Cruise Port. In Juneau, Tracy's King Crab Shack is preferred by many tourists, but the crab at the Twisted Fish a few blocks away is just as good.
Since king crabs are the state’s preferred species, there are many places to indulge in Alaskan crab. The downside is that the premium meat of fresh king crab legs fetch a premium price.
Nonetheless, try to sample this Alaska famous food in some form! You can choose dishes made from the meat as a less expensive option than ordering the pricey king crab legs as your main dish. Choices include such delicious offerings as king crab cakes, wontons, or sourdough crab rolls.
If you're on a budget, you may want to opt for snow or Dungeness crab. Ketchikan Crab & Go serves crab fries loaded with Dungeness, ranch dressing, and melted cheese.
2. Reindeer Chili
Reindeer chili, one of the must-try foods of Alaska
Reindeer chili is one of the best ways to try one of Alaska's most popular wild game meats. It’s a hearty stew that showcases the unique taste of reindeer meat, an Athabascan staple.
Reindeer meat, known for its lean texture and rich flavor, provides a delicious alternative to traditional beef or pork in chili recipes.
Most reindeer chili uses sausage, not ground meat. Reindeer sausage can be mixed with beef and pork in some versions of reindeer chili, but there are also plenty of options that contain 100% reindeer meat.
Reindeer chili is commonly found in interior Alaska, where reindeer and caribou are plentiful. Denali, Fairbanks, and Anchorage restaurants often include reindeer chili on their menus.
We have even enjoyed reindeer sausage for breakfast on the McKinley Explorer train journey to Denali National Park.
3. Seafood Bisque
Seafood bisque is a great way to sample a mix of local seafood in one Alaskan dish.
Seafood bisque is a creamy, rich soup. Depending on the Alaska restaurant where you order it, your version will feature a unique mix of seafood, which might include some combination of shrimp, crab, and fish.
The bisque is a rewardingly flavorful dish perfect for a chilly day, of which there are a lot in Alaska. The soup is usually accompanied by crusty sourdough bread or dinner rolls.
The seafood bisque at Tracy's King Crab Shack, next to the cruise port in Juneau, is a must-try if you make it to the port. It tastes heavenly, with just the right combination of texture and flavors.
Like the famous Boston food, chowder in Alaska is thicker and meatier than bisque, but it has the same fantastic seafood taste. In Ketchikan, Annabelle’s Famous Keg and Chowder House attracts patrons from far and wide with its seafood. Try the Three Chowder Sampler or choose just one. Although with clam, salmon, and seafood chowders all on offer, it's a tough choice.
4. Salmon Donuts
Fresh-baked doughnuts at Jellyfish
This is an only-in-Alaska experience!
I thought the famous Portland donut with maple and bacon was adventurous! But “salmon” and “donuts” definitely don't sound like words that go together. However, the unique Alaskan treat is a crowd-pleaser and only found here in Alaska at Jellyfish Donuts.
Jellyfish Donuts has two locations: the original in Ketchikan and one in Juneau. We found their Juneau shop at 247 S Franklin Street more convenient than the Ketchikan one at 910 Water Street.
Their salmon donuts are made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and sweet dough. It's an enticing combination of sweet and savory flavors that’s a surprising treat for your taste buds.
Beyond the salmon, there are crazy flavors that use cereal, crackers, and candy. Imagine Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms, and Sour Patch on a donut. Sounds pretty tame after salmon, right?
5. Reindeer Hot Dogs
Reindeer hot dogs, a popular street food in Alaska
Don’t dismiss this unique Alaska food: These hot dogs are very different from the ones that have become a popular food of Chicago, New York, and even North Carolina.
Reindeer hot dogs are a popular street food in Alaska.
There are lots of street stalls selling them, but the best place to try this local food is in Sitka. Jessie's Uptown Dogs offers a great spin on a hotdog from a food cart on Lincoln Street.
The dogs are made with a reindeer meat mix, which isn't spicy, and a choice of toppings. Go for a topping of chili, or opt for my favorite, sauerkraut with lots of mustard. Try just the reindeer hot dog, or for $2.00 more, have the "doggie deal" that includes chips and a drink too.
In downtown Anchorage, Tia's food cart sells hot and mild reindeer dogs. Tia also offers gyros with caribou or elk meat.
6. Wild Alaska Spot Prawns
Seafood lovers, don't miss the Alaska spot prawns!
Wild Alaska spot prawns, commonly just called “spot prawns,” are the biggest shrimp species available in Alaskan waters.
These denizens of the deep are often called the "lobsters of Alaska," and seafood lovers favor them for their unique texture and mild sweetness.
In the Last Frontier, spot prawn season starts in May and can last up to eight weeks.
In Juneau, The Hangar on the Wharf makes the most fantastic spot prawns with angel hair pasta. It's definitely a local favorite!
7. Halibut And Chips
Halibut and chips, a classic dish of Alaskan cuisine
Halibut and chips is a classic Alaskan dish, and there are multiple eateries in every city that serve it. In Alaska, halibut is more than just a meal, it's a cultural staple.
Glacier Brewhouse in Anchorage serves several delectable options. Their Herb Crusted Halibut comes in both a traditional and a gluten-free version—a plus for celiacs. For true seafood lovers, the Crab Stuffed Halibut might be even more to your liking.
Ketchikan, a great halibut fishing town, is an ideal place to try to catch your own. If you’re just looking to order halibut rather than cast around for some, there are some excellent seafood restaurants in Ketchikan too. Check out The Alaska Fish House for the largest halibut menu.
In the state's capital, head to The Hangar on the Wharf for the best fish and chips in Juneau.
8. Spruce Tips
Spruce tips are a unique Alaskan food used in salsas and jellies.
Spruce tips are the new growth of spruce trees, a popular ingredient in Alaskan cuisine. Depending on when they are picked, the tips can have a citrus, tart, or herbal taste.
Skagway Brewing Company offers gluten-free Spruce Tip Dry Rub Wings, and the Spruce Tip Shortcake Cookie is a great way to finish your meal.
If you’re looking to bring home a unique Alaska gift for someone, consider some spruce tip jelly, syrup, or tea. Another option awaits you in Sitka, where the Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company sells Sitka Spruce Tip Sea Salt.
9. Fry Bread (Alajuks)
Lovers of fried dough should not miss the fry bread in Alaska.
Fried dough? Yup, it’s a delicious food to try in Alaska!
Fry bread is a classic dish in Native American cuisine. In the Lower 48, it's a popular food in New Mexico and Arizona. It's also similar to the fried bread varieties sold in Canada, like toutons and beaver tails.
Made from a simple dough of flour and yeast, Alaskan fried bread is fried until golden brown and crispy. It is served with various toppings, but cinnamon and sugar are the best.
Klondike Doughboy in Skagway (326 3rd Ave) is a popular spot to try fry bread. While the shop always has a queue, the line moves quickly. The shop also sells a bread mix so you can replicate the flatbread at home.
10. Grilled Salmon
Salmon rivals crab as the most famous food of Alaska.
Salmon is right up there with crab legs when it comes to the most famous foods of Alaska. Salmon can be prepared in so many different ways, from jerky to cakes. And as long as it's not in a donut, a salmon meal is a delicious option for the health conscious.
The five species of salmon in Alaska are chum, pink, king, sockeye, and coho. The Copper River is one of the most famous sources of Alaskan salmon and supports 4 of the state’s 5 kinds (all but chum).
Restaurants in Alaska offer different types of salmon, so it’s a great opportunity to try something you haven’t had before.
The Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan serves amazingly fresh fish. The salmon menu includes fish and chips, burgers, rice bowls, chowder, and salad. But before you start in on your choice of salmon, try kicking your meal off with some Alaskan oysters!
While Ketchikan is the "salmon capital of the world," you can't go wrong with eating salmon in any Alaskan city.
The King Salmon Restaurant at the Denali Princess Lodge offers grilled king salmon and sockeye salmon. See if you can taste the difference!
The Gold Creek Salmon Bake in Juneau offers one of the best grilled salmon experiences in an outdoor setting. They grill their coho salmon (also called silver salmon) over an alder-smoked fire, making it smell as delicious as it tastes. Add honey butter or eat it plain; either way, it's mouth-watering. Did I mention the buffet meal is all you can eat?
Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are super fresh in the coastal cities of Alaska.
I love fish tacos, and as someone who enjoys this Mexican dish quite often in San Diego, I'm pretty picky about fish tacos wherever I see them. I am happy to report that the ones in Juneau are superb.
Deckhand Dave’s at 139 S Franklin Street operates a food truck that attracts as many locals as tourists. The taco menu includes beer-battered rockfish, halibut, breaded salmon, and blackened rockfish. Like authentic Mexican street food tacos, these are topped with salsa, lime, and cilantro.
In addition to tacos, Dave’s offers fish and chips, halibut tots, salmon cakes, and fresh oysters. On a warm day, it's great to sit outside, enjoy the music, soak in the view, and wash the food down with a pint of Alaskan ale.
Kelp
Kelp pickles and salsas make a great foodie souvenir.
Kelp pickles and kelp salsas are unique Alaskan treats. They're made with kelp, an abundant seaweed in southeast Alaska. The sustainable superfood—packed with vitamins, iodine, and antioxidants—grows wild in the ocean and replenishes itself. It’s one of the vegetarian wild foods of Alaska!
After harvesting, bull kelp is sliced into rings and pickled in vinegar and spices to make pickles. This salty and savory snack is perfect for a midday pick-me-up.
Barnacle Foods and Foraged and Found both make kelp pickles and salsa. In addition, many gift shops in Alaska carry kelp products, which make fantastic foodie gifts for friends and family.
Elk Sausage and Burgers
Elk sausage on a bun is a staple Alaskan lunch.
If you're new to trying wild game, elk isn't quite as intimidating as deer can be. And as far as nutrition, when comparing elk to beef, elk meat is leaner and lower in cholesterol.
In Alaska, elk burgers and sausages come in different levels of spiciness. Choose the mild option or add an extra kick of jalapeño peppers to opt for a spicy one.
In Anchorage, 49th State Brewing makes an elk smash burger. For something even further beyond the ordinary, try their world-famous yak burger.
Akutaq
Akutaq, also known as Alaskan ice cream, is a traditional food of the 49th state with rich cultural roots, particularly among the Inuit and Yupik communities.
Akutaq is a distinctive Alaskan dessert that incorporates a surprising combination of local ingredients, like wild berries, fish oil, and animal fat (usually from elk, moose, whale, or seal oil).
Served in large communal bowls, akutaq is a symbol of community unity among Alaska natives and is often served during celebrations.
Mixed Berry Crisp or Cobbler
For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the desserts made with local berries!
Alaska is home to dozens of kinds of berries. So, it makes sense that a mixed berry cobbler is one of the must-try Alaska foods.
Berry cobbler or crisp is comfort food for the soul, and you can’t beat a dessert made with blueberries, salmonberries, lingonberries, and crowberries.
The mixed berry crisp from Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse in Anchorage is incredible, with or without ice cream. But warmed and then topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is my favorite way to enjoy this amazing Alaskan specialty.
Muktuk
The main ingredient of muktuk is whale blubber, typically that of bowhead whales. It can be eaten raw, but if you don't like the idea of raw animal fat, it can be boiled, or it can be pickled and dressed with soy sauce or other condiments.
Muktuk is a traditional dish enjoyed by the Inuit and Chukchi peoples, and it is one of the most unique culinary experiences in Alaska.
I have been to every state in the U.S., and I have not seen this dish anywhere else outside the state of Alaska. In fact, consuming marine mammals in the United States is pretty rare.
However, for native Alaskans, muktuk has been a customary food and essential part of their diet for a long time. It is also a vital part of Alaskan culinary traditions. However, to try this dish, you will probably have to travel off the beaten path to less touristy areas of the state.
Final Thoughts on Foods of Alaska
Now that you know what to eat in Alaska, what are you looking forward to trying?
The obvious foods to try in Alaska are the seafood dishes, especially the salmon and crab.
But if you’re a foodie visiting this great state, I hope you’ll sample some of the wild game and indigenous dishes as well!
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