Costco Shoppers Are In Love With This Frozen Seafood

Over at our sister site, Tasting Table, a features writer took the plunge into the world of Costco frozen seafood — see what we did there? — to determine the worthiest contenders in the freezer case. Her top choice, the warehouse retailer's Hokkaido scallops, wasn't at all an esoteric pick. In fact, it turns out that multiple online Costco reviews praise the East Coast Seafood version of this product up and down.

When the Tasting Table writer lauded the freshness and delightful texture of the Hokkaido scallops, she was far from alone. "[T]hey are very good, harvested in Japan and no fillers (no sodium triphosphate)," one Reddit reviewer praised. "They are very good, and this a great deal for the quality – better than what you can get at Whole Foods for cheaper," another comment agreed. A TikTok user who sous vide blanched the scallops to use (almost) raw for sashimi praised the oceanic flavor and delicate texture, comparing them to medium-rare steak. The ItsCarmen blog also had glowing words for this high-end seafood: "I was extremely impressed. I followed the directions exactly just because I didn't want to mess them up. They were so good. The texture was soft and tender."

There are certain mistakes everyone makes when cooking scallops, so you will want to brush up on your tips and tricks so that you can skillfully handle these scallops, since they are a premium food product. Furthermore, cooking seafood from frozen isn't always recommended, and, indeed, some folks prefer to defrost these scallops before cooking. What makes Hokkaido scallops so precious and worth the price tag? That's a multilayered answer.

To seafood experts, Japanese scallops from the northernmost main island of Hokkaido rank among the best in the world and are suitable for the most luxurious meals. The icy waters around the Hokkaido prefecture contain rich nutrients, including microscopic plankton, that provide a nurturing environment and a great diet for wild scallops to grow slowly and steadily. Their meat, therefore, is creamy, mild, and delicious. This environment is so perfect from an oceanic perspective that even the seaweed from Hokkaido seas is considered a delicacy. As a (pleasant) side note, Hokkaido scallops are low-fat and high protein, making them adaptable to many diets. Speaking of adaptable, the beauty of these scallops is that they are so fine that they can be eaten cooked or raw. All you need is a little bit of culinary know-how and awareness of the best drink to serve with scallops for a red-letter dinner.

According to anecdotal reports, the Costco Hokkaido scallops range from $30 – $40 per bag, so they are definitely spendy. If reviews are to be believed, however, the cost may be worth it for a high-quality, special seafood product that will elevate your next special occasion. Sear them, practice your sashimi skills and serve them in a roll, or grill up some steaks for an unforgettable surf and turf meal. With a little care, the results should be extraordinary, because the product is special all by itself.

Static Media owns and operates Foodie and Tasting Table.