5 Countries for Seafood Lovers

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. There's no shortage of countries for seafood lovers.

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 tricky 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 fantastic 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 the 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 and 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 country's northern tip, 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 a series of stalls served 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, which is why I included Chile on my list of countries for seafood lovers.

4. Tanzania

Whenever I visit Tanzania, I head straight to the Dar Es Salaam fish market to buy prawns, crab, and fish.

Every morning, starting before sunrise, fishing boats dock at the market.

Thousands of business owners and individuals come to bid for the finest seafood and scoop up 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 place on this list of countries for seafood lovers 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 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.