Ever feel like your dinner plate is stuck in a boring routine?

Get ready to get into the most exciting ocean of flavors! Seafood isn’t just food, it’s a global miracle waiting to happen right on your plate.

From the familiar fish you know to wild sea creatures you’ve never imagined, we’re about to take you on a mouthwatering stroll through these incredible seafood options.

Grab your fork, and let’s start.

Types of Seafood Found in Freshwater: One Must Try

Here are some freshwater fish options that might make you crazily in love with them:

1. Trout

Trout is a delicate, freshwater fish with a mild, nutty flavor and tender texture. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it’s not only tasty but heart-healthy.

It is commonly found in freshwater rivers and lakes, and it’s especially popular in regions like North America and Europe. This seafood has a typical lifespan of around 4–6 years, making it a sustainable and widely enjoyed choice.

• Best Paired With: Lemon dill sauce, roasted potatoes, and sautéed green beans.

2. Salmon

Salmon is loved for its rich, fatty texture and bold flavor. Packed with nutrients like omega-3s and vitamin D, it’s a versatile fish.

It is commonly found in the Northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and is especially famous in Canada, Norway, and Japan. Additionally, it typically lives for 2–7 years, making it a key player in both the wild and farmed seafood markets.

• Best Paired With: Asparagus, wild rice, and honey mustard glaze.

3. Tilapia

Tilapia is a lean, mild white fish that’s perfect for quick meals. With its light taste and soft texture, it adapts to any seasoning. It’s commonly raised in freshwater farms, especially in regions like Africa, Asia, and the United States.

This seafood lives around 5–10 years, making it a reliable and accessible fish for everyday cooking.

• Best Paired With: Mango salsa, quinoa, and steamed broccoli.

4. Catfish

This Southern favorite has a slightly sweet, firm texture that holds up well to frying and blackening.

Catfish is commonly found in freshwater rivers and ponds, and is widely recognized in regions such as the Southern United States and parts of Asia. With a lifespan ranging from 8–20 years, it’s both a regional staple and a versatile option for many dishes.

• Best Paired With: Cornbread, coleslaw, and Cajun remoulade.

5. Bass

Bass is a flaky white fish with a clean, gentle flavor. It’s ideal for grilling or roasting and pairs well with citrus or fresh herbs.

This fish is commonly found in freshwater and coastal areas and is popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Bass typically live 5–10 years and are a favorite in both sport fishing and gourmet kitchens.

• Best Paired With: Lemon butter, baby carrots, and herbed couscous.

Types of Seafood Found in Saltwater: One Must Try

Here are some more delicious fish options that are available in markets and stores easily:

6. Cod

Cod is a soft, flaky white fish known for its neutral flavor, perfect for soaking up sauces and seasonings. It’s most commonly found in the North Atlantic Ocean, and is especially popular in Iceland, the UK, and Canada.

It has a long lifespan of approximately 13–20 years, which has enabled it to remain a seafood staple for centuries.

• Best Paired With: Garlic mashed potatoes, peas, and tartar sauce.

7. Tuna

Tuna is dense, meaty, and rich in flavor, often compared to steak in texture. It’s typically found in tropical and temperate oceans, with major popularity in Japan, Spain, and the USA.

It can live anywhere from 15 to 40 years, making it one of the most enduring species in the ocean—and on sushi menus.

• Best Paired With: Wasabi mayo, seaweed salad, and jasmine rice.

8. Halibut

Halibut has firm, lean flesh with a subtly sweet taste that shines when baked or grilled. This species is native to the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and is especially prized in the USA, Norway, and Canada.

Known for its longevity, halibut can live 25–50 years, adding value and depth to the seafood world.

• Best Paired With: White wine, butter sauce, asparagus, and roasted tomatoes.

9. Mackerel

Mackerel is oily, bold, and packed with healthy omega-3s, often grilled or smoked for rich flavor. It’s commonly found in temperate and tropical seas, with high popularity in Japan, Norway, and the UK.

This seafood typically lives for 4–20 years, and is a staple in both traditional dishes and modern health-focused meals.

• Best Paired With: Pickled vegetables, soy glaze, and brown rice.

10. Mahi-Mahi

Mahi-Mahi offers a sweet, mild flavor and firm, flaky texture that’s perfect for tropical recipes. It’s commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters, especially around Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

With a lifespan of 4–5 years, Mahi-Mahi is fast-growing and perfect for sustainable, flavorful cooking.

• Best Paired With: Pineapple salsa, coconut rice, and grilled zucchini.

11. Grouper

Grouper is thick, firm, and buttery with a mild, approachable flavor that works well grilled, baked, or blackened. It thrives in coastal coral reefs and is especially popular in Southeast Asia, Florida, and the Caribbean.

Along with a lifespan of about 10–15 years, the grouper remains a prized catch for both commercial and local fishers.

• Best Paired With: Herb crust, sautéed spinach, and lemon caper sauce.

12. Snapper

Snapper, especially the red variety, has sweet, firm flesh and is often cooked whole to preserve moisture.

This fish is commonly found in warm coastal waters, particularly in Australia, the United States, and the Caribbean. It can live 10–20 years, making it a reliable option for high-quality seafood meals.

• Best Paired With: Cilantro lime rice, black beans, and avocado.

Types of Crustaceans One Must Try

Bored with fish? Here are some other fresh seafood types:

13. Shrimp

Shrimp are tender, slightly sweet, and quick to cook, making them a worldwide kitchen favorite. They are found in both marine and freshwater bodies and are especially famous in China, the USA, and Thailand.

Though their lifespan is shorter, around 1–6 years, shrimp are one of the most consumed seafoods globally.

• Best Paired With: Garlic butter pasta, corn on the cob, and cocktail sauce.

14. Prawns

Prawns are larger and meatier than shrimp, with a rich, sweet flavor and a satisfying bite. They thrive in warm marine and freshwater environments and are highly popular in India, Australia, and the UK.

Their typical lifespan is 1–2 years, but their bold taste ensures they are always in demand.

• Best Paired With: Coconut curry, jasmine rice, and grilled pineapple.

15. Lobster

Lobster is a luxurious treat, known for its tender, sweet meat found in the tail and claws. These crustaceans are found in cold marine waters, especially near Maine, USA, and Canada.

They are surprisingly long-lived, with lifespans ranging from 20 to 70 years, adding to their premium appeal.

• Best Paired With: Drawn butter, baked potato, and buttered corn.

16. King Crab

King crab is celebrated for its massive legs and succulent, rich meat. It inhabits the Bering Sea and North Pacific, with major catches coming from Alaska and Russia.

These crustaceans typically live 20–30 years and are a highlight on any luxurious seafood platter.

• Best Paired With: Lemon wedges, clarified butter, and garlic toast.

17. Snow Crab

Snow crab offers sweet, delicate meat that’s easier to crack than king crab. It lives in the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans, especially off the coasts of Canada and the USA.

With a lifespan of 10–20 years, snow crab is a popular choice for seafood boils and buffets.

• Best Paired With: Old Bay seasoning, coleslaw, and corn muffins.

18. Blue Crab

Blue crabs may be small, but they pack tender, flavorful meat that’s a favorite in Maryland. Found in the Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, they’re especially famous in the USA.

These crabs have a shorter lifespan of about 1–3 years, but their taste makes them unforgettable.

• Best Paired With: Vinegar-based slaw, hot sauce, and saltines.

19. Langoustine

Langoustines look like mini lobsters and deliver a refined, buttery flavor in every bite. Native to the Northeast Atlantic, they are particularly popular in Scotland, Norway, and France.

They have a lifespan of 5 to 10 years and are usually cherished in high-end cuisine and gourmet dishes.

• Best Paired With: Truffle butter, risotto, and baby greens.

Different Types of Mollusks to Try On

Here are some more different kinds of seafood options that you can consider trying:

20. Oysters

Oysters offer a briny, rich taste and are often served raw for their ocean-fresh flavor.

They are harvested from coastal waters around the world, with top spots in France, the USA, and Japan. Also, they can live up to 20 years, making them both a delicacy and a sustainable seafood choice.

• Best Paired With: Mignonette sauce, lemon, and dry champagne.

21. Clams

Clams have a sweet, slightly chewy bite with a clean, salty finish. They are excellent steamed, baked, or stirred into pastas and chowders.

They are harvested from coastal waters, especially in Italy, the USA, and Japan, and their lifespan typically ranges from 1 to 10 years, making them a plentiful and popular seafood pick.

• Best Paired With: Linguine, white wine, garlic sauce, and parsley.

22. Mussels

Mussels have a soft texture and mild oceanic flavor, often steamed in broth with garlic and wine. These bivalves grow in intertidal coastal zones and are especially well-loved in Belgium, France, and New Zealand.

Living for around 1 to 3 years, mussels are quick-growing and widely available year-round.

• Best Paired With: White wine broth, crusty bread, and shallots.

23. Scallops

Scallops are sweet, buttery, and tender, known for their golden sear and melt-in-the-mouth texture. They thrive in deep sea and coastal waters, and are widely enjoyed in the USA, Japan, and China.

With a lifespan of 5–10 years, scallops are a treasured delicacy in many cuisines.

• Best Paired With: Creamy risotto, peas, and lemon butter sauce.

24. Squid

Squid offers a mild flavor and firm, chewy texture. It’s served as crispy calamari, grilled, or used in savory stews. Found in open oceans worldwide, squid is a favorite in Japan, Spain, and Italy.

Though short-lived at just 1–2 years, its versatility keeps it in high demand.

• Best Paired With: Marinara sauce, lemon wedges, and aioli.

25. Octopus

Octopus is a meaty and satisfying dish, with a subtle, briny taste. It requires tenderizing and shines when grilled or braised.

Native to tropical and temperate oceans, the octopus is especially favored in Greece, Japan, and Spain. Even with a lifespan of 1–2 years, it’s a quick-growing yet deeply flavorful seafood.

• Best Paired With: Roasted potatoes, paprika, and olive oil.

26. Abalone

Abalone is a rare mollusk with a sweet, buttery, and slightly chewy bite. Often served pan-seared or as sushi, it’s harvested from coastal rocky shores, mainly in New Zealand, Japan, and South Africa.

It has a lifespan of 10–40 years, and it’s a prized delicacy known for its richness and rarity.

• Best Paired With: Soy-ginger glaze, bok choy, and jasmine rice.

Types of Various Exotic Seafood to Enjoy

Here are some luxurious and unique seafood options that you might love to try:

27. Sea Urchin

Sea urchin roe is bright orange, creamy, and packed with a bold, oceanic flavor. It’s usually eaten raw in sushi or spooned onto bread.

Found on rocky ocean floors, sea urchins are especially popular in Japan, Chile, and the Mediterranean. They typically live 5–30 years, contributing to both their flavor and value.

• Best Paired With: Sushi rice, nori, and light soy sauce.

28. Geoduck

Geoduck is a giant clam with sweet, crunchy meat, often served raw or in hot pots. Native to the Pacific Northwest, it’s most famous in Washington (USA) and Canada.

These unique clams can live over 100 years, making them both a culinary marvel and a biological wonder.

• Best Paired With: Ponzu sauce, wasabi, and daikon radish.

29. Conch

Conch is chewy yet mild and sweet, making it perfect for fritters, ceviche, or caribbean stews. It’s found in warm Caribbean waters and is a staple in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Turks & Caicos.

It typically lives 10–30 years, adding both flavor and tradition to island cuisine.

• Best Paired With: Lime juice, tomatoes, and hot peppers.

30. Jellyfish

Jellyfish surprises with its light crunch and neutral taste, often served chilled in salads. Found in oceans worldwide, it’s a common ingredient in China, Korea, and Japan.

While its lifespan ranges from just a few hours to several months, jellyfish make a unique and refreshing addition to seafood menus.

• Best Paired With: Sesame oil, cucumber, and rice vinegar.

31. Monkfish

Monkfish is nicknamed the “poor man’s lobster” for its dense, sweet, and meaty flesh. Great when seared or baked, it’s commonly found in the North Atlantic Ocean and is especially enjoyed in France, the UK, and the USA.

It usually lives around 10–30 years, offering a rich, luxurious bite for a fraction of the price.

• Best Paired With: Brown butter, roasted cauliflower, and capers.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t be afraid—grab a new seafood and enjoy a yummy meal that’s different from your usual dinner!