When you come to Sanya, you’ve got to have a seafood feast.

Sanya boasts not only the warm, healing “glass sea” in winter but also stands as a culinary paradise floating atop the azure waters. Its unique geographical location bestows upon the city the most abundant gifts from the ocean. For discerning food-loving travelers, Sanya’s charm lies not only in its scenery but also in the vibrant flavors that arrive at the table fresh from the sea. From upscale oceanfront restaurants to bustling seafood markets, Sanya’s chefs masterfully unlock ingredients’ potential through diverse techniques—crispy frying, spicy stir-frying, blanching, and braising. Whether you’re a purist who prefers the simplicity of steamed seafood or a fan of rich, savory sauces, this Sanya seafood guide will take you on an unforgettable culinary journey.

 

Salt and Pepper Spicy Mantis Shrimp

Among Sanya’s myriad seafood preparations, mantis shrimp stands as the quintessential fusion of freshness and aroma—a true social star on any dining table. This dish demands precise timing: freshly caught mantis shrimp undergoes high-heat frying, transforming its shell into a golden, crispy crust that locks in the succulent juices within.

Peel away the crispy shell to reveal tender, springy shrimp meat with a satisfying chew. The savory salt and subtle heat of chili permeate every fiber, leaving a lingering, rich aroma on the palate. An exceptional choice to pair with drinks or accompany rice.

Sichuan-Style Spicy Crab

If you wish to experience the fusion of regional flavors in Sanya, Sichuan-style spicy crab is an absolute must-try. This dish typically features locally sourced fresh crabs, plump with roe and meat, stir-fried with a specially crafted spicy sauce.

The rich creaminess of the crab roe melds with the fiery sauce at high heat, preserving the crab’s natural sweetness while adding an appetite-whetting kick. That finger-licking satisfaction is the very taste that draws many food enthusiasts to Sanya.

Garlic-Steamed Lobster

For diners seeking the ultimate in sweet and succulent flavor, garlic-steamed lobster stands as the finest tribute to premium ingredients. Selecting large, fresh live lobsters, they are halved and generously coated with finely minced golden garlic before being steamed to perfection.

This method preserves the lobster’s natural essence to the fullest. The snow-white meat remains firm and plump, delivering a sweet and savory taste. The garlic’s aroma permeates the flesh through the steam, enhancing the freshness without overpowering it. This dish stands as the soul of any seafood feast, capable of anchoring an entire table of delicacies.

Pan-Fried Horse Mackerel with Garlic Scallops

In Sanya, beyond lavish feasts, there are many authentic seafood delicacies worth exploring, often hiding the most down-to-earth flavors of local fishermen.

Pan-Fried Horse Mackerel: Hailed as the “steak of the sea.” Premium horse mackerel boasts tender flesh. Simply pan-seared, its skin develops an enticing caramelized sheen—crisp outside, tender within. Each bite delivers the distinctive, rich aroma of deep-sea fish, its pure flavor striking straight to the soul.

Garlic Scallops: A vibrant appetizer that awakens the palate. A garlic sauce infused with chili peppers coats plump scallop meat. Bite into it, and the savory juices burst in your mouth, delivering an intense umami rush that tingles your taste buds.

Expert Guide: How to Select Top-Quality Seafood

To savor Sanya’s cuisine like a local, discerning ingredients is key. Here are selection tips passed down from seasoned fishermen:

For crabs, inspect the abdomen: Examine the shell on the crab’s back and press the abdominal area (belly button). If it feels firm and substantial, it usually indicates the crab is plump with roe and meat, offering exceptional flavor.

Check Shrimp Legs for Redness: When buying sea shrimp, pay attention to the color of their legs. Those with red legs are typically wild-caught, boasting more delicious and firm meat.

Identify Fish by Cut Surface: Fresh Spanish mackerel have bright eyes, a rounded body, and glossy skin. When cut open, a vivid red blood color indicates peak freshness (locally termed “local fish”); absence of redness suggests lower freshness.

Sanya Seafood Dining Guide

No matter which bay you find yourself in Sanya, there’s always a restaurant to satisfy your seafood cravings. Here are our recommendations:

Notable Seafood Restaurants

Dragon Palace Seafood Restaurant (Dadonghai Branch)

Lin Jie Fragrant Seafood

Yilong Seafood (Ximei Road Branch)

Defu Xuan Seafood Harbor (Banshan Banshan Sailing Port Branch)

Fei Po Seafood Restaurant (Sanya International Shopping Center Branch)

Bu Zai Ke Seafood

Bustling Seafood Squares & Street Food Stalls

Sanya Train Head Ten Thousand People Seafood Square

Hong Sha Street Food Stall (Yalong Bay Dongrong Food Court Branch)

Little Dolphin Seafood Square