KANSAS CITY — Seafood is the star on menus as restaurants offer options to consumers observing the Lenten season. And this year, operators are making waves in the category with bold flavors.

Red Lobster is launching two new spicy seafood dishes: Kung Pao Noodles with Fried Lobster and the Baja Shrimp Bowl.  

The Kung Pao Noodles with Fried Lobster features battered and fried lobster tail with noodles tossed in a sweet and spicy soy-ginger sauce with edamame, cabbage, crispy onions, cashews and green onions.

The Baja Shrimp Bowl contains seasoned shrimp, avocado, black beans, quinoa rice, pickled red onion, crispy slaw, pico de gallo, sour cream and tortilla strips with jalapeño ranch.

Popeyes’ new Cajun Flounder Sandwich includes a fried flounder fillet seasoned with Cajun seasoning served atop a toasted brioche bun with barrel cured pickles and tartar sauce.

Quiznos is launching the Old Bay Lobster Club, featuring lobster and seafood salad with Old Bay Seasoning, bacon, lettuce and tomato on a butter-toasted roll with spicy mayonnaise flavored with Old Bay Hot Sauce. The sandwich is made primarily with lobster but also includes Alaskan pollock.

Del Taco’s new Honey Mango Crispy Jumbo Shrimp Taco includes crispy jumbo shrimp, honey mango sauce, shredded cabbage and pico de gallo wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is introducing the Queso Shrimpico Taco, featuring queso on tempura or grilled shrimp, corn pico, garlic sauce and feta on a flour tortilla.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is serving the Honey-Chile Glazed Salmon. The dish consists of wood-grilled salmon over ancient grains pilaf (made with red quinoa, millet, farro, red wheat berries and French green lentils), with asparagus, roasted tomatoes and grilled corn all topped with charred corn salsa.

WaBa Grill is offering the Spicy Asian Salmon Salad, which includes lettuce with cucumber, edamame, kimchi, cherry tomatoes, carrots and cilantro topped with salmon and served with spicy sesame dressing and wonton strips.

View a slideshow of new seafood-centric menu items.