Trader Joe’s Now Sells Chocolate Fish (Of Course)

The fact that Trader Joe’s is obsessed with canned fish is no big secret. Its championing of canned sardines and anchovies, in those little flat tins that look oh so aesthetic (to coin a phrase from the KIDS), is arguably a contributing factor to the boom in canned fish that we’ve been seeing for a couple of years now – and its love of the foodstuff has bled into other aspects of the business. Check out its sardine tote bag if you don’t believe me. It loves this stuff. 

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So, color me entirely unsurprised that it’s started selling chocolate fish. A novelty item? Perhaps. But a fun one? Yeah, sure. Let’s see what people are saying about them. 

Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Sardines With Sea Salt

A few days ago, a Redditor posted about Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Sardines with Sea Salt – and while other people have been talking about it too, it was this thread that caught a particular amount of attention and discussion. First, to the fishy food itself. Pleasingly, it’s not fishy at all, apart from in shape. Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Sardines with Sea Salt are individually wrapped pieces of fish-proportioned chocolate that come in a rectangular box, à la its classic canned sardines. The sea salt, Trader Joe’s says, is “to provide a fascinating flavor contrast on the palate, and to subtly evoke a real sardine’s briny domain.” Fun.

As for how to eat them…well, however you want. There’s something satisfying about the longer shape of these, for some reason, and I’d imagine they’re nice to nibble on while you’re working (as I wish I could right now – alas, alas). TJ’s, though, says “We find they make a lovely gift for any tinned fish-ionados in your life, and add a wonderful touch of whimsy when used to decorate a nautical-themed dessert board.”

But How Do They Taste?

Apparently, they’re pretty nice! Trader Joe’s customers in the Reddit thread mentioned above were warm on these chocolate fish – and several people say that the milk chocolate used has more of a dark chocolate note to it, so it feels like there’s a slightly more mature flavor going on here. The pairing of the chocolate and the sea salt is well-judged, too, with neither outweighing the other. 

So, a novelty vibe (one customer said that they felt like “stocking stuffers”), but one that actually tastes good. And crucially, no fish flavors to be found anywhere. That’s a relief.