Dorada and Dorado are different fish with confusingly similar names — and they are not substitutes for each other. Here is what actually separates them.
Sparidae
Gilthead sea bream is recognizable by its golden spot between its eyes. It has firm white flesh with a sweet, delicate flavor and is farmed extensively across the Mediterranean. In Spain it is called dorada, in France daurade royale, in Portugal dourada. It is typically cooked whole — baked in salt, grilled over charcoal, or roasted with vegetables — and is a fixture of Mediterranean restaurant menus.
Full guide →Coryphaenidae
Mahi-mahi is a spectacular, fast-swimming ocean fish with vivid blue-green and gold coloring that fades quickly after death. Its flesh is firm, moist, and mildly sweet with large flakes. In Latin America it is universally called dorado (golden). It is excellent grilled as steaks or fillets, and is a popular fish taco filling in Baja California. Not to be confused with the Argentine freshwater golden dorado.
Full guide →| Country | Dorada | Dorado |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Sea bream | Mahi-mahi |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Sea bream | Mahi-mahi |
| 🇫🇷France | Daurade | Mahi-mahi |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Dorada | Lampuga |
| 🇦🇷Argentina | Dorada | Dorado |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Dorada | Dorado |
| 🇵🇹Portugal | Dourada | Dourado |
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Dourada | Dourado |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Orata | Lampuga |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Dorade royale | Goldmakrele |
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