Polish Fish Names

  • Fish is very popular in Poland.
  • Herrings & Carp will be found on the Wigilia (Christmas Eve) table.
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  • Many regions have access to freshwater fish, which are well liked.
  • Freshwater fish come from: rivers, lakes and ponds and also bred specially in fish farms.
  • Many recipes in books and magazines are for freshwater fish.
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  • Many of the fish are more popular in Poland than they are in England so you have to substitute a different fish to make a similar dish.
  • Often a white fish such as cod can be used instead of a freshwater fish.
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  • Below are lists in A to Z order in English with the Polish names
  • There are more fish found in English recipe books and restautants that I have not included as they are not common in Poland. (Send me a comment if you think they should be included)
  • Polish Names in Bold are popular ones on menus and in recipe books in Poland.

Salt Water Fish

  • Anchovy – sardela
  • Basa – panga
  • Cod – dorsz
  • Coley – czarniak
  • Flounder – flądra
  • Gurnard (Gurnet) – (one I loved at home in Lancashire) – kurek
  • Haddock – plamiak or lupacz 
  • Halibut – kulbak
  • Herring – śledź
  • Mackerel – makrela
  • Plaice – płastuga
  • Pollock – mintaj
  • Sardines – sardynki
  • Sprats – szprotki
  • Tuna – tunczyk
  • Vimba – certa

Freshwater Fish

  • Bream – leszcz
  • Carp – karp
  • Catfish – sum (found in fresh and brakish water)
  • Krusian carp – Karaś
  • Eel – węgorz
  • Perch – okoń
  • Pike – szczupak
  • Salmon – łosoś
  • Tench – lin
  • Trout – pstrąg
  • Zander – sandacz
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  • Shellfish
  • Crayfish – raczki
  • Crab – krab
  • Lobster – homar – or – rak
  • Prawns/Shrimps – krewetki