Finding fresh great fish in Israel is as easy as going to your local market, the problem is, the names are all unfamiliar.
When you make Aliyah, especially from the U.S. it can be daunting to consider any fish other than salmon, but you are missing out!!!
You can follow any of our fish recipes if you know what to look for. First, make sure to read our guide, HOW TO CHOOSE AND COOK THE PERFECT FISH.
Now, for those living in Israel, use this fish chart to figure out what your favorite fish is called or find the type of fish equivalent in Israel. Truthfully, most of the names of fish we know can apply to a variety of fish and some of the Mediterranean fish do not exist in the U.S. but this guide will help you find the best fish for your recipe.
| English Name of Fish | Hebrew Name of Fish | Name Of Fish In Israel |
| Alaskan Pollock | זהבנון | Zahabnon |
| Albacore tuna | טונה, טונה לבנה | Tuna, tuna levana |
| Anchovy | אנשובי | Anshoovi |
| Arrowtooth flounder | שטצד פציפי | Shattzad Patzifi |
| Barramundi | ברמונדי | Baramundi |
| Blue runner | תרחון | Tarachon |
| Bream | זהבון | Zahabon |
| Cod | קוד | Kod, ze’ev yam |
| Common carp, Mirror Carp | קרפיון | Karpion |
| Common dolphin-fish, mahi-mahi | רעמתן | Ra’amatan |
| Common grey mullet | בורי | Burri |
| Flounder | דג סנדל | Dag Sandal |
| Frigate tuna (mackerel family) | פלמודה | Palmudah |
| Galilee St.Peter’s fish; Mango tilapia | מושט אביאד | Musht, Amnon, Tilapia |
| Gilt head sea bream | דניס | Denis |
| Grass carp | קרפיון | Karpion esev |
| Greater amberjack | אינטיאס | Intias |
| Grouper | לוקוס | Lokus |
| Haddock | חמור ים | Chamor Yam |
| Hake | מרלוזה, בקלה | Marluza, Bakala |
| Halibut | הליבוט | Putit, halibut |
| Herring | הרינג | Herring |
| Jordan St. Peter’s fish; Blue tilapia | מושט | Musht, Amnon, Tilapia |
| Kinneret bleak (carp) | סרדין טבריה | Sardine Tiveria |
| Longhead barbel (carp) | כרסין | Karsin |
| Mackerel | מקרל | מקרל |
| Meagre (drum) | עיט הים | Eit Hayam |
| Nile Perch | נסיכה נילוס | Nisichah Nilus |
| Pink Dentex (Red Snapper) | פארידה | Faridah |
| Plaice | פלייס | Plaice |
| Pollack | פולוק | Polok |
| Red drum | מוסר | Musar |
| Round sardinella | דקה | Daka |
| Salmon | סלמון | Salmon |
| Sea Bass | לברק | Levrak |
| Shad or Whitefish | עלוזה | Aluzah |
| Shi drum | לבט | Levet |
| Silver carp | כסיף | Kasif |
| Skipjack Tuna | טונה, טונה בהירה | Tuna, tuna behirah |
| Spanish Mackerel | פלמידה לבנה | Palmidah Levanah |
| Striped Bass | בס | Bass |
| Striped Red Mullet | ברבוניה | Barbunia |
| Striped sea bream | מרמיר | Mormir |
| Trout; Rainbow Trout | פורל | Forel |
| True Sole, Dover Sole | סול | Sol |
| Turbot | פוטית | Putit |
| Yellowstripe scad | צנינית צהובת פסים | Tzninit tzahubah pasim |
| Yellowtail amberjack | אינטיאס | Antias, Shula |
Reprinted with permission from Marc Gottleib’s Culinart Kosher.
Learn the Hebrew names for the most common fish in Israel, whether you are just eating in Israel or buying you can find out what your fish really is in English.
For more help learning how to cook in Israel, get our Israel Substitution Guide.
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