You must try the sashimi at the fishing port! 10 fishing ports in Taiwan suitable for eating seafood

Taiwan is surrounded by the sea, so if you want to eat seafood, you don't necessarily have to go to a high-end restaurant. Sometimes, the most memorable meal is by the fishing port. Walking into the fish market, seeing plates of sliced sashimi, freshly landed fish, shrimp, and crabs, with people ordering dishes, selecting fish, and asking for prices at the stir-fry restaurants nearby, the feeling is very different from a regular restaurant. For foreigners, fishing ports are not just places to eat, but also a very Taiwanese travel experience. However, not all fishing port seafood is cheap, and you can't just order randomly just because you see the word "fresh." There are a few principles to keep in mind before you go. Before going to a fishing port to eat seafood, remember these things: First, always ask clearly when you see "market price." Especially for crabs, lobsters, live fish, or more expensive seafood, it's best to ask how much a portion costs, how the weight is calculated, and if the cooking fee is charged separately. Second, if you want to eat sashimi, choose a clean, well-refrigerated stall or shop with a stable flow of customers. Raw food is inherently more demanding on the digestive system, so be especially careful if you have a sensitive stomach, are pregnant, are a child, or have a weakened immune system. Third, it's easier to order dishes when there are more people. Portions at fishing ports are often quite large, so it might be difficult to order too many dishes for just two people; with three or four or more people, it's easier to try different types of dishes. Fourth, don't judge whether a fishing port is worth visiting solely based on whether it has "cheap sashimi." Some places are suitable for sashimi, some for crabs, some for oysters, fish soup, stir-fries, or fried seafood. Each fishing port has its own strengths. 1. Fudji Fishing Port: A classic choice for seafood on the North Coast Fudji Fishing Port in Shimen District, New Taipei City, is a common seafood choice for those starting from Taipei or New Taipei. This place is very suitable for people experiencing "eating a table of seafood at a fishing port" for the first time. You can enjoy sashimi, crabs, shellfish, shrimp, and various fresh fish. It's often combined with a day trip to Baishawan, Fugui Cape Lighthouse, and Laomei Green Reef. If you have friends driving, Fudji Fishing Port is very convenient; if you take public transportation, it will take a bit longer, but it's still a great introduction to fishing port seafood in the north. 2. Badouzi and Bisha Fishing Ports: Harbor vibes not far from Taipei The Badouzi and Bisha Fishing Ports area in Keelung is also suitable for a half-day trip. The advantage here is that it's not too far from Taipei, and Keelung itself has a strong port city atmosphere. You can enjoy the sea and seafood during the day, and then head to the Keelung Miaokou Night Market in the evening. For foreign students or newcomers to Taiwan, this place allows them to experience the "Taiwanese life of eating seafood from the sea" without traveling too far. 3. Wushi Fishing Port: Seaside travel plus seafood Wushi Fishing Port in Yilan is very suitable for those who want to "see the sea + eat seafood." It's not just a fishing port; it's often combined with activities like Wai'ao, surfing, the Lanyang Museum, and whale watching tours to Guishan Island. Rather than going just for a meal, Wushi is more like a seaside travel destination where you can spend the whole day. If you want to eat some sashimi, and then enjoy the sea, take photos, and have coffee, Wushi Fishing Port offers a more travel-like experience than a pure seafood restaurant. 4. Daxi Fishing Port: Come here if you want to see the fish auction Daxi Fishing Port in Yilan has a strong fish market feel. Many people specifically come to watch the afternoon fish auction, where you can see fish being landed, traded, and called out. The focus here is not on fancy decorations, but on the direct, bustling port atmosphere. If you want to understand that Taiwanese fishing ports are not just about eating, but are truly connected to the fishing industry, Daxi Fishing Port is worth visiting once. 5. Nanfangao Fishing Port: Experience a complete port city Nanfangao in Yilan is one of Taiwan's important fishing ports, offering a wide selection of seafood and a strong sense of fishing village life. In Nanfangao, you can eat seafood and also visit nearby attractions like Su'ao Cold Spring, Neipi Beach, and Nantian Temple. It's not just a single restaurant or market, but an entire port settlement. If you want to eat seafood and experience a more complete Taiwanese fishing port atmosphere, Nanfangao is very suitable. 6. Wuqi Fishing Port: A convenient choice for seafood lovers in Central Taiwan Wuqi Fishing Port in Taichung is a common tourist fishing port in Central Taiwan. It has a fish wholesale market and seafood restaurants, suitable for buying fish, eating stir-fries, fried dishes, and various seafood preparations. It might not be specifically for sashimi, but if you live in Central Taiwan and want a convenient fishing port for seafood, Wuqi is a practical choice. During the mullet roe season in winter, you can also find more products related to mullet roe. 7. Budai Fishing Port: The taste of the sea in the southern coastal area Budai Fishing Port in Chiayi is very suitable for those who want to experience the southern coastal region. The Budai and Dongshi areas are great for oysters, shrimp, fish soup, seafood congee, and various seafood dishes. The focus here is not necessarily on sashimi, but on seafood dishes with a more everyday southern coastal flavor. If you want to visit the High Heels Church, salt fields, or other coastal attractions in Chiayi, you can include Budai in your itinerary. 8. Kezailiao Fishing Port: A fish market frequented by Kaohsiung locals Kezailiao Fishing Port in Kaohsiung is a place where many Kaohsiung residents go to buy fish and eat seafood. It has a fish wholesale market and surrounding seafood shops, with a more local atmosphere. For foreigners, it might not be as easy to understand as a tourist night market on the first visit, but precisely because of this, you can see the everyday life of a southern fishing port. If you want to experience a fishing port that is more than just a "photo spot," Kezailiao can be added to your list. 9. Xingda Port: Suitable for friends to stroll and eat together Xingda Port in Kaohsiung is also very famous, especially with large crowds on weekends. It has seafood stalls, cooked food, fish products, and various snacks, feeling more like a fishing port market where you can stroll and eat. Whether you want sashimi, grilled items, fried items, or to buy fish to take home, there are plenty of options. If you go with friends, Xingda Port is more fun than going alone because you can share more dishes. 10. Donggang: The representative of black tuna, sakura shrimp, and southern seafood Donggang in Pingtung is a seafood destination for many people. Donggang is most famous for its black tuna, sakura shrimp, and fish roe (bottarga). It also has the Overseas Chinese Market where you can eat seafood. Donggang becomes particularly lively during the annual black tuna season. If you want to make your seafood trip more complete, you can combine Donggang with a trip to Xiaoliuqiu and Dapeng Bay. If you want to taste representative southern seafood, Donggang is worth visiting once. First time visiting a fishing port, how to choose? If you live in Taipei or New Taipei, you can start with Fudji Fishing Port, Badouzi, or Bisha Fishing Ports. These places are relatively close and easier to arrange. If you want to see the fish market and auctions, Daxi Fishing Port offers a more authentic experience than just eating. If you want a seaside travel experience, Wushi, Nanfangao, and Donggang are all suitable, and you can arrange surrounding attractions. If you are in Central Taiwan, you can choose Wuqi Fishing Port; if you are in the South, Budai, Kezailiao, Xingda Port, and Donggang can all be chosen based on distance and the type of seafood you want to eat. Many people think of sashimi first when they think of fishing ports. But the fun of Taiwanese fishing ports is that they don't just sell raw food. Some places are suitable for stir-fries, some for fish soup, some for oysters, crabs, fried seafood, seafood congee, or freshly cooked fish ball soup. Sashimi can be tried, but don't make it your only goal. The real fun is that while you eat, you can see the boats, the wind, the fish market, the sounds of people, and the sea all mixed together. This feeling is hard to replace in a regular restaurant. Next time you want to eat seafood, don't just go to a city restaurant. Find a weekend, choose the fishing port closest to you, order a plate of sashimi, and pair it with a bowl of hot soup or a plate of stir-fried clams. Perhaps then you'll better understand why Taiwanese people love to frequent fishing ports.