my country has four major sea areas, and due to differences in geographical location and climate, each region produces seafood with unique varieties and flavors! Do you know what delicious seafood these sea areas offer? This article lists China's top ten seafood specialties. Let's see if they are among your top ten seafood rankings.
1. Large yellow croaker
Large yellow croaker, one of the traditional "Four Major Marine Products" (including large yellow croaker, small yellow croaker, ribbonfish, and squid), is one of the main economic fish species in China's coastal waters. It typically inhabits deeper waters and migrates to coastal areas to spawn from April to June. After spawning, they disperse along the coast to forage for fish and shrimp. In autumn and winter, they migrate to deeper waters. Interestingly, the swim bladder of the large yellow croaker can produce sound, which fishermen often use to estimate the size of fish schools. Large yellow croaker is distributed in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and southern Yellow Sea, and is one of China's important economic fish species. They can be eaten fresh or used to make dishes such as dried yellow croaker. Furthermore, the swim bladder can be used to make glue. Recently, the technology of artificially cultivating large yellow croaker has been widely applied.
2. Goose barnacles
Goose barnacles (also known as dog's claw barnacles) are a type of barnacle organism, sometimes called "sea chicken feet" in my country. They are praised as "seafood from hell." They live in the crevices of islands and reefs where ocean currents are frequent. Goose barnacles have high requirements for water quality, needing an environment rich in trace elements. They have a sweet, fresh taste. The head of the goose barnacle is a long, stalk-like structure attached to its base. It has white calcareous plates with orange edges around the openings. It can continuously extend and retract its brown, feathery appendages to prey on plankton. It typically attaches itself to floating wood or other objects. The international value of one kilogram of goose barnacles is approximately 1500 yuan, while high-quality goose barnacles can fetch up to 5000 yuan per kilogram.
3. Tiger crab
The frog-like crab (Rana spp.) belongs to the genus Rana in the family Ranaidae. Also known as the sea stink bug or mantis shrimp, it closely resembles a frog in appearance and is sometimes called a frog crab, tiger crab, Garfield crab, or shriveled crab. Its carapace is frog-shaped, longer than wide, with the anterior half wider than the posterior half. Its surface is raised, with soft hairs on the forehead and surrounding area, and forward-pointing scale-like protrusions all over its body. Its meat is plump and delicious. Similar to lobster, it is best prepared in soups or with cheese. The frog-like crab is a common seafood ingredient at banquets in Taiwan. The price of tiger crab varies depending on factors such as origin, size, and season, ranging from approximately NT$60 to NT$180.
4. Dalian sea cucumber
Dalian sea cucumber is a specialty seafood of Dalian City and a geographical indication product of China. It is a type of sea cucumber, historically known as Liaoshen, and is produced along the coast of Dalian. Also called sea rat or sea cucumber, Dalian sea cucumber is a precious seafood that has existed for a full 600 million years. Its flesh is soft and tender, rich in nutrients, and is a typical high-protein, low-fat food. Its flavor is rich and delicious, with an elegant taste, making it a renowned delicacy. In Chinese cuisine, it is ranked alongside bird's nest, abalone, and shark fin, often playing an important role in high-end occasions and considered one of the souls of Chinese cuisine.
5. Shengsi mussels
Shengsi mussels are a specialty of Shengsi County, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, and a Chinese geographical indication product. In the Shengsi dialect, they are called "dancai," and also have other names such as Haihong (Lady of the East Sea), Hongha, and Kecai. Shengsi County is located in an area with a superior marine environment, fertile waters, abundant food, and suitable temperatures, providing excellent habitats for marine life. Therefore, Shengsi mussels enjoy an excellent growth environment here. The Ministry of Agriculture has designated it as a Class A shellfish production area. The people of Shengsi have a long history of harvesting wild mussels for human consumption and trade. The mussels produced are large, with tender and succulent meat, high meat yield, rich nutrition, and are pollution-free. They are among the finest seafood delicacies.
6. Dalian abalone
Dalian abalone is a seafood specialty of Dalian City, Liaoning Province, and a Chinese geographical indication product. Dalian City is a major production area of wrinkled abalone in China. Wrinkled abalone, locally known as "four-hole abalone" or simply "abalone," is a high-quality variety belonging to the abalone family, renowned as the "king of seafood" for its unique flavor. Abalone meat is tender and rich in nutrients, and has been considered one of the "eight treasures of the sea" since ancient times. Even in earlier times, Europeans regarded abalone as a premium fresh ingredient, praising it as "soft gold on the table."
7. Sun-drenched Golden Squid
Rizhao Golden Squid is a seafood specialty of Lanshan District, Rizhao City, Shandong Province, and is also one of the national geographical indication agricultural products. Golden squid, also known as cuttlefish, belongs to the class Cephalopoda, order Sepiformes, family Sepiidae, and genus Sepiformes. It is relatively large, with thick and delicious flesh. It has extremely high economic value, being a high-quality wild species of large economic cephalopods found in warm waters. Rizhao Golden Squid is one of the four major local specialties of Rizhao, mainly inhabiting the nearshore waters of Rizhao City. Its plump body and delicious flesh are unique characteristics of Rizhao Golden Squid. Furthermore, "squid eggs," made from the ovaries of the golden squid, are a traditional delicacy, listed as a traditional tribute item, and enjoyed at state banquets, becoming a shining symbol of Rizhao's aquatic products.
8. Zhoushan ribbonfish
Zhoushan ribbonfish, caught in the waters around Zhoushan, is a specialty of Zhoushan and one of the first seafoods in China to receive a geographical indication trademark. It is also one of the four major economic fish species in the Zhoushan fishing grounds. Zhoushan ribbonfish has a broad body, delicate flesh, and an exceptionally delicious taste. It is rich in nutrients, especially high in protein and unique in DHA, which are not found in ribbonfish from other sea areas. Zhoushan ribbonfish is highly flexible; when held by the middle, it can be hooked to the tail, forming an inverted U-shape. Fresh Zhoushan ribbonfish is best cooked by steaming; the flesh is delicious and not fishy, and it lacks the large bones or foreign objects commonly found in other ribbonfish. Due to its unique characteristics, Zhoushan ribbonfish is widely popular both domestically and internationally, and is hailed as "the most delicious ribbonfish in the world."
9. Sanmen Blue Crab
Sanmen mud crab is a specialty of Sanmen County, Zhejiang Province, and a geographical indication product of China. Sanmen County is known as the "Hometown of Mud Crabs," thanks to the Sanmen Bay waters, which boast moderate temperature and salinity and are rich in microorganisms. The mud crabs have bright blue-green shells, thin shells, large claws, and robust, plump bodies. Their meat is tender and has a rich aroma, making it a low-fat, high-protein delicacy. Sanmen mud crabs have low water content, high protein content, and are rich in sweet amino acids. Their meat is firm and delicious, with an excellent texture. The mud crab's distinctive features include a "blue back, yellow belly, golden claws, and red pincers," contributing to its cold resistance and adaptability to varying salinity and temperature. In my opinion, Sanmen mud crab is a seafood specialty worth trying.
10. Sea cucumber from Kongtong Island
Kongtong Island sea cucumber is a specialty of Zhifu District, Yantai City, Shandong Province, and a national geographical indication agricultural product. Growing under specific cultural, historical, and natural environmental conditions, Kongtong Island sea cucumbers are mainly produced in the waters surrounding the Kongtong Islands. The cultivation area reaches 7,690 hectares, producing approximately 280 tons of fresh sea cucumbers annually. Kongtong Island sea cucumbers have thick, firm flesh, a smooth and delicate texture, and a chewy, elastic consistency. They are delicious and rich in nutrients, especially protein.
The ranking of China's top ten seafood specialties is based on a selection of unique seafood products within my country. It takes into account factors such as the "National Geographical Indication Products" and "Agricultural Product Geographical Indications" designated by the Ministry of Agriculture, domestic brand recognition, online popularity, and awards received, as well as relevant internet rankings/lists. The ranking is not in any particular order and is for reference only. Any questions or criticisms are welcome in the comments/criticisms at the end.
