Langostine (or Langostino, or Langoustine): What is it?

OK... I have been on a quest for langostino. It's come up several times in the past few weeks. A tv show about Iceland had a bit about them as a local delicacy (though not sure exactly what they were). The proprietor/chef at the Richmond Inn likes to use them and I had a plate of them a few weeks back at Las Islas Marias on Clark north of Devon. So I did some looking around.

It turns out last week that a restaurant, Rubios,  in California which was serving langostino instead of lobster in their "lobster burrito" has been allowed to – the courts said it was OK to call it that since it tastes the same...?! Needless to say spellcheck doesn't recognize it either.

And funny how my guilty pleasure - Long John Silver's just started serving lobster bites with Langostino. Red Lobster uses it in their lobster bisque...  See what happens when you start digging? It's like the Truman Show. My life revolves around a crustacean of some sort. Even though it's not shrimp, and not lobster either... at least not really.

I started calling fish markets, super markets, and eventually got several "Yeah we have that" answers prices varying from $32/lb to 2lbs for $15. So my escapade for seafood oddity began.

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I started out hitting L. Issacson and Stein on Fulton for aesthetic and price. 2lbs for $15? Please! It's a really neat fish market. It smelled clean and the fish looked great. However the langostino turned out to be really huge ocean shrimp. So it was a bust. They did have wide short lobster tails in the back in 5lb bags for $60 or so dollars but I digress.

Dirk's fish market further north on Clyborn actually had them but they were $32/lb. They came in a box with big letters that read Scampi. As you can tell by the pictures they are definitely not shrimp. I snagged one for photo/taste purposes and got back in the car. If I can get a plate of these for $14 in a restaurant there's got to be cheap langosino or whatever you call it somewhere.

The Fishguy Market on Elston was a nice surprise. They have the same $32/lb boxes as Dirks but they also had enormous Brazillian lobster tails the size of burritos for $34/lb they weighed in starting around 2lbs each. They also surprisingly serve sandwiches to go grilled right up behind the counter. But no dice with cheap langostino.

The Devon Market 2 blocks from my house had a big bag of crawfish that the fish monger referred to as langostino.

So I'm still looking. At least I know what it looks like.

I blanched my specimen and popped the tail off, boiled again for 30 seconds and then shelled it and sauteed it quickly in champagne and lemon juice. It was basically one bite for about $8 but it was as sweet if not sweeter than lobster with a bit of a crablike texture. If I can find cheap langostino I'll get them but not for $32/lb.

Some internet definitions:
• "Spanish for prawn" - BostonChefs.com, foodnetwork.com
•  a spanish tv series from 1987 - IMDB.com

From wikipeidia:
"Squat lobsters are decapod crustaceans of the families Galatheidae and Chirostylidae, including the common genera Galathea and Munida. They are not lobsters at all, although they share a number of characteristics; they are, in fact, more closely related to porcelain crabs, hermit crabs and then, more distantly, true crabs. Flesh from this animal is often commercially sold in restaurants as "langostino," or sometimes (in perhaps less than ethical situations) called merely "lobster" when incorporated in sea food dishes."

Comments

[Bill Dugan]

A very interesting subject! Lots of confusion with nomenclature, and wanted to clear a few things up.
What you have pictures of are Languostine (french sp.) also known as Danish lobster, Scampo (Italy: note, not scampi!)Dublin Bay Prawns, (Ireland).
They are indeed a small member of the Lobster family (Nephropidae) and are more universally referred to( among European Chefs) as Lobsterette.
The ones I carry (at 23 dollars per lb...not 32.00 per lb!)
Are from the Pacific and are captured off the coast between New Zealand and the Tasman Sea.The Kiwis call them Scampi to further confuse the issue.
There was at one time a more active fishery off the coast of St. Augustine.
There are several varieties in the Carribean and the Western Atlantic.
These tend to be even smaller and are sold as Rock Shrimp in the U.S. and yet another specie that used to be very abundant in the 70's and 80's are referred to as Langostinos by the Sud Americanos.
As with any fresh caught indingenous product you will always enjoy them at their peak when freshly landed and prepared simply at point of origin.
The specie shown in your photo is from New Zealand but is indistinguishable from those in the North Sea (how do I know that said subject in photo is not from there is another subject entirely).
They are by far,( in my opinion ) in a class by themselves when comparing them to the other species in flavor and texture.
I have enjoyed them in various ports throughout Ireland and Denmark and they are certainly among my finest memories of a truly ethereal profile.
They are expensive but....surprise ...so are sneakers!
One other factor worth mention is that the shells and heads make the finest consomme you will ever have!
At my store as mentioned, they are 23.00 per lb. but are packed in a 2 kilogram box so...get some friends to chip in if your in the mood for something nice to splurge on.
Selflessly promoting my market,
I am,
Bill Dugan
a.k.a. The Fishguy ( my own fault!)

[josh]

Thanks Bill!

The 'scampi' that I got from Dirk's was, sure enough, from NZ.

Sorry about the pricing goof and awesome sandwiches BTW.

Josh

[Philip Miller]

In Argentina, where there are extensive fisheries targeting "langostino", this name is applied to Pleoticus muelleri.

[FP]

Senator Snowe of Maine, the largest lobster producing state in the USA is really rallying against the so-called Langostino Lobster - which is actually mushy crab meat. As you expected this is about the money. Olympia Snowe told the FDA " 2-inch shellfish known as "langostino lobster" is an impostor to the real thing". Senator Snowe also sniped this about the FDA behavior on this foodstuff issue: "It will be remiss in its duties if it continues to allow restaurants or other entities to perpetuate this hoax at the expense of Maine's lobstermen and America's seafood customers."

[Bob]

Finally my wonder has been put to rest (What is a Langistino Lobster?)....I always wondered why any true fisherman would stoop to catching baby losters. I thought maybe they were crawfish, or someones culinary idea of chopping up a shrimp, crab, or Adult lobster. In any case I agree that that because something tastes like lobster doesnt make it so. The FDA needs to research and make a determination, otherwise folks may just keep some good Weed just because it smells like a skunk. And i don't think skunks are illegal to possess. In any case I am now even more confused as to the real identity of this tiny sea creature....

[Dave]

Just a little note to Bill Dugan. In Italian, nouns that end in the letter o are generally made plural by changing the o to an i. Thus, one scampo + one scampo = two scampi. I'm not Italian and don't really know much Italian, and I don't know if your use of Scampo was a special usage (and therefore distinct from the usual meaning of scampo), but in the interests of clarity I thought I'd point this out. Otherwise, I thought your exegesis was quite useful.

[ryan420]

This Blog Has Opened My Eyes . I Hate Long Rob Slivers.whats Next?hushpuppies Arent Made Of Real Dog?

[Steve]

How about "Real Imitation Lobster Meat"?

[john]

Very interesting article, still as confused as ever, but was worth reading.

[Webgab]

The "langostinos" I've had were not shrimp, nor were they the languostine.
They were clearly labeled "langostinos" and were imported from Chile. You used to be able to buy them in the frozen food section of retail chain supermarkets in the D.C., Md., Virginia area (Safeway, Giant, etc.) for about $7.99 a box. The box contained two vacuum-sealed packets of shelled langostinos. You could take a package, run it under hot water to thaw, or simply nuke it for a few seconds, melt some butter, and you were in heaven. The last time I remember getting them was in 1999, I remember it well because my boyfriend at the time had never had them and we took some to a party where everyone was blown away. (we were feeling very generous at the time I guess to share them!) I have asked at several local gourmet markets and seafood places but noone can get them. I've been to many fine restaurants in D.C. and they have never been on the menu. I wondered if there was a ban on importing them from Chile. If anyone knows where to get true langostinos, please post : )

[Jim C.]

My experience was similar to Webgab's. Back in the 70s I used to buy a bag of frozen lagostinos at Dominicks IIRC. I seem to recall they were from Argentina. They were indeed heavenly.

[Hungry Azusa]

Hi there. Not sure if this is fruitless posting so late. Ended up at this article trying to figure out where in Chicago you're supposed to get cheap seafood!

I was in Cuba a few years ago and the resort one night served what they called langostino, explained to be lobter tail ends... The flavour and texture was different from any lobster I've had, so no doubt it was a sell on something lobster-like.

Prepared fresh, with maybe only oil and perhaps some garlic, they were definitely awesome! It was something the resort buffet served once every 10 days (most people do the 1-week all-inclusive, so not everyone gets to have this!). In Cuba that same week, I also had dinner outside the resort where they served something similar. Part of a beautiful meal for only $5 US (BYOB, drinks not included).

It is surprising that something Cubans can afford would be so expensive here! Good luck in this search...

[Giovanni]

LANGOSTINO MEAT FOR $16/LB.

We Sell Langostino already shelled meat ready to eat for only $16.99 per LB.
We can ship it anywhere in the US via UPS. Just visti our website: www.giovannisfishmarket.com or call us at (805) 772-1276.

Enjoy!

Gio-

[James]

I just ate the contents of a tin labelled "langostillos" from Spain.On googling, I'm still not sure what they were - not prawns, not scallops, not oysters (tho' the shell on the packaging looks a bit like an oyster). They are shellfish with one end being bright orange, shaped like a frog's leg. Pretty tasty! Can anyone help inform me what i just imbibed?

Thanks!

[josh]

I think langostillos are like surf clams. One end should be reddish and they come in pretty calico shells! I've never eaten one officially but have enjoyed surf clams at several sushi places.

[Nancy]

One of my favorite Southern California resturants had lobster linguine on the menu last night. I always ask if it is Maine or Pacific lobster. They have very distinct tastes and I have eaten a lot of Maine lobster while living off the coast there. The dish was far too inexpensive to be Maine lobster and fishermen are not allowed to take lobsters that are too small. I asked again if it was crayfish or langostino. I don't want to be disappointed so I like to know what I'm ordering. I was told it was baby lobster tails from Maine. Not a chance. I think it was langostino and my search to find out exactly what langostino is brought me here to this website. I found them to be rather tasteless. They didn't even take on the flavor of the sauce. Thanks for you info.
Nancy

[josh]

If it was flavorless it likely wasn't the lango's fault. I, personally, find them to taste terrific. I would think the restaurant is at fault here, not the ingredient. Likely they weren't lying to you either. They probably just weren't sure what that mysterious little dude was.

[Roberto]

I am from Galicia, in Spain, where shellfish is a pretty big deal.
We call those guys in your photos "cigalas" and the best ones are supposed to be found in a town called Marin. They are expensive but the flavor is fantastic. The trick, as usual is in the cooking time. Also, I'd avoid anything different that boiling in sea water (I know, this is Chicago...) with a couple of bay leaves. It's common to throw a half dozen on top of seafood paella (placed in the form of a star)
"Langostinos" are usually imported from South America and frozen. They are considered of inferior quality and ergo, much cheaper. They look like shrimp on steroids, have long whiskers and sport that funny-looking serrated horn on their foreheads. We like to grill them.
I might be adding to the confusion but I thought you'd enjoy a couple more google keywords to play around with.

p.s. When buying these guys (the ones in the pic), especially the fresh ones, it's important to make sure they have not been preserved using boric acid. It's not easy to find out until you have cooked them, though.

[Judi T.]

Ironically while shopping with my sis at her local SuperWalmart,in my opinion the worst place to shop for anything let alone food pardon my digression, while she was picking up some frozen salmon I happened across a one pound bag of Squat Lobster (aka Langostino) for $14.99. While I was afraid to actually buy and eat them from that particular store, my own phobia, that has been the cheapest I have personally ever seen them at. The clear bag allowed one to see the product and it looked as I would expect them to.

I have used them several times in seafood stuffing, and chowder in order to turn the flavor up a bit and they are also superb when sauteed in sauces as an accompaniment to fresh seafood.

[Bertha Fox-Dominguez]

This is everything about corporate honesty, more than anything else. I almost vomited when I learned that the "Lobster Bites" I purchased were actually a filthy-water prawn fished out of sewerage canals in South America! Wake up America, and smell the cat-food!

[josh]

So Bertha, you are a frequent guest of Long John? Guess you didn't read the article. Langos are filthy-good! If you're looking for corporate responsibility I would think that the fast food industry is the last place you should look.

[Bertha Fox-Dominguez]

Josh, that's unfair. As an American consumer, I feel that under NO circumstances should I be deceived by anyone selling me any product. That includes the fast food industry. Their commercial tempted me into purchasing Lobster Bites thinking that it was actual Maine lobster, or at the very least, some sort of lobster. What I learned is that lobster bites are the same fish that cat food manufacturers rely upon, that that in some cases, according to a spot I saw on national television, fished out of sewerage canals in Southeast Asia. That being said, I don't feel much more comfortable that this product comes from South America. I still feel nausea when I think about my Lobster Bites experience.

[josh]

I have never seen any evidence that it's catfood. To the contrary I have yet to find any langostino at the grocery store cheaper than lobster. It's been no less than $16.99 a pound. This past week king crab legs were $8.99 on sale. That's not catfood. But no you should not be deceived. See the recent photo of LJS's menuboard. That's not a lie. What's the show where you saw the S.American sewage thing? I'd like to know. It seems there's a big Maine vs. Langostino thing going on. Why isn't there the same vehemence against spiny lobsters?

[Dr. Fig]

I finally found this website because I just noticed that an LJS TV commercial indicated in brief, small print that 'Lobster Bites' are actually 'Longastina lobster' which I guess is a misspelling. So at least they are trying to be honest. I was disappointed in the taste when I tried them, but I generally like LJS when I want good, unhealthy food.

[Fr. Fig]

LJS = Long John Silver's, a fast food seafood chain. They are currently offering 'Lobster Bites' as a menu special. Went through several websites and didn't realize there was no mention of LJS here.