One hundred fifty-three countries in the world have a coastline, and nearly every culture that lives along the ocean includes some form of seafood in their diet.
Seafood is a vital source of protein and nutrients for many people around the world.
So where should you travel if you are in search of a scrumptious seafood feast?
Now that's a tough question (with many answers), but listed below are five countries where I've enjoyed some seriously fresh and delicious seafood meals.
This is by all means, not an exclusive top seafood country list – these are merely places I've visited and eaten awesome seafood.
If you have a different country you'd like to highlight for its bounty of seafood, I would love to hear your recommendation in a comment below.
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1. Sri Lanka
Known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island located just south of India.
Surrounded by sea, you can bet Sri Lanka catches some high-quality creatures.
One of the first places I visited in the country was a small town north of Colombo known as Negombo.
The town is well-known for its Dutch fort and Portuguese influence, as well its ancient fishing port.
The local fish market was a joy to visit and included some amazingly fresh and good-looking fish.
Jaffna, located on the northern tip of the country, was another place where I discovered great seafood.
My favorite dish was the caramelized prawns from Hotel Rolex.
2. Malaysia
Consisting of mainland peninsular Malaysia and two regions on the island of Borneo, seafood plays a significant part in Malaysian cuisine.
I admired some of the freshest and most attractive seafood I've ever seen at the Kota Kinabalu night market.
The best part about the market was that there were a series of stalls all serving a fabulous selection of the fresh catch marinated, grilled, and ready to be eaten.
Mainland Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur also offer a fabulous selection of seafood cooked into exquisite dishes.
3. Chile
One weekend I decided to take a trip from Santiago to the coastal port city of Valparaiso – a city praised for its seafood.
On my first day, I went out to search for a seafood packed meal and found a small restaurant right along the water's edge with a beautiful view.
Though it wasn't the cheapest meal I've ever eaten, the mixed seafood plate was what caught my eye, and there was nothing I could do but order it.
It was everything I had hoped for – fresh seafood, cooked perfectly.
4. Tanzania
Whenever I visit Tanzania, I head straight to the Dar Es Salaam fish market to stock up on prawns, crab, and fish.
Every morning, starting before sunrise, fishing boats dock at the market.
Thousands of both business owners and individuals come to bid for the finest seafood and scoop up the great deals. Everything is fresh and tempting!
Just off the coast of Tanzania is Zanzibar, an island where the seafood is never far away.
One of my favorite things to eat in Zanzibar is either fish in coconut curry or fish biryani.
5. Japan
Japan is the only country on this list that I have yet to step foot in.
However, I have eaten many Japanese feasts in my life, have read and watched many books and videos about Japanese food, and have many friends who have visited the country.
I can say with faithful certainty that Japan is, by all means, one of the ultimate destinations to visit as a seafood lover.
Tsukiji Market, the world's largest fish market, is a place where nearly all things that teem in the sea can be found.
Seafood is not only something to eat in Japan, but it's a cherished part of culture and form of art.
When I visit Japan in the future, seafood will be my priority (if I can afford it).
So there you have five of my favorite countries for seafood.
I've heard Portugal and Spain have a nice catch, as does Mexico, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and countless others.
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If you liked this story, check out Feastio, the new food blog from the founder of Go Backpacking.
Last Updated on July 16, 2019 by Dave
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While not as exotic as the seafood I tried in Valparaiso, I couldn’t get enough of the seafood in Basque Spain – spent a week dining and cooking in San Sebastian. Wow – the flavours were out of this world. Got my hands dirty de-inking squid and loved the melt in your mouth goodness of the black ink sauce we made for our fish stew. Highly recommendable!
I almost went to the north of Spain at the end of 2012, but ran out of time. Looking forward to getting back see more of the country.
Japan is a haven of seafood! Fishing is a key industry and the people love seafood. I’ve been there once and I love their sushi.
i really love Japanese foods..and seafoods from Japan? that’s a great deal!
I believe the Caribbean offer some great seafood cuisines. I have tried some very unique and tasty seafood cuisines in Jamaica.
Nice list! South Korea and Spain are my favorite seafood countries!
Portugal have the best fish in the world
Oh yes. I really love seafood and you’ve done a good job of showing much more exotic fare. I especially like the seafood platter from Chile. :) Thanks! My favourite place is France. The oysters in Cancale are amazing, huge and awfully cheap!
I have travelled to China, Indonesia, Peru, Chile’, Spain & Portugal. Tried all their seafood on offer enjoyed Peruvian Ceviche, but number one on my list is ‘Peri Peri’ prawns from Mozambique.
Spain by a land slide
Particularly the north of Spain
Cool post. Although I will add, and I say this respectfully, that if you haven’t set food in Japan, you’ve never eaten Japanese food. It is the one cuisine in the world that simply cannot be replicated beyond it’s borders. I’ve lived all over Japan (and the world) for the last 15 years, and regardless how much you pay, or how bohemian the Japanese restaurant claims to be, in L.A. or Montreal, or Bangkok, or Paris… it simply will never provide the same texture, quality, and overall flavor of authentic Japanese food, as virtually any entry-level restaurant on any random side-street in Tokyo. ;)
Sorry but you guys are clueless…Malaysia, Chile…comeon, crappy white fish is not worth calling home about… The only country on this list that deserves to be here is Japan… sure Sri Lanka has good mud crab and Lobster ( I have an office there so I have sampled everything)… but thats it… Countries like Australia and NZ amazing oysters, mussels, salmon, kingfish blue/yellow fin tuna, prawns, crayfish etc… Then the Med region ( France, Spain… Gambas…great Blue Fin ( god knows even the Japanese import it) and amazing Oysters ( from Cancale, Normandy), Then the major Fishing countries known for their Wild Salmon…think Scotland, Norway, Canada etc…
The author who doesn’t mention Australia when talking best seafood is hard to take seriously…
You mistake good fish for savoury fish. The Spanish fish is very savoury but is filled with pulloutants coming form the Spanish heavy industry. In the Basque country and Galicia the fish sometimes is still clean and safe, but not in Barcelona and Marbella .You say Malaysia and Sri Lanka and Chile offer good fish but you don’t mention that Malaysia has a large petrol industry as well as Chile and that SriLanka lacks in hygiene. I think the best fish , in terms of no pollutantsin it, is the fish caught very far away from industrial countries, such Reunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Atlantic, New Caledonia…