Seafood Markets in Phuket
Fish and seafood are a must-eat in Phuket. Here you can try delicacies at a reasonable price, and most importantly, they will definitely be fresh, caught from the sea literally the same day. The freshest seafood should be sought at fish markets. We’ve detailed what sea creatures you can buy here, but now we’ll tell you where you can buy fresh shrimp, octopus, and lobsters in Phuket.
Rawai Seafood Market
This is definitely the most famous fish market in Phuket. It’s located in the south of the island. The special feature of this place is its direct connection with fishermen, as the famous sea gypsy village is nearby. This means that here you’re literally buying seafood from those who just caught it – direct supply without intermediaries.
Shrimp, langoustines, crabs, cuttlefish, octopus, and fish – it seems you can buy everything here. Most importantly, you can dine, as they say, right on the spot: nearby restaurants will happily (and for a small fee) cook the seafood you’ve selected.
Prices at the Rawai market aren’t the lowest, however, you’re paying for the freshest seafood imaginable – many of them are actually still alive. And of course, no one forbids bargaining.
To catch the largest selection of seafood and buy them to take home, we recommend coming to the market early in the morning. But if you want to immediately enjoy dinner with freshly prepared seafood at the market, come in the evening.
Chillva Market-2
Many who have visited Phuket know the Chillva Market in Phuket Town. But not everyone knows that nearby there is Chillva Market-2 – a place with fresh seafood. Here they sell shrimp, squid, lobsters, oysters, crabs, and other sea creatures, which they can immediately cook for you.
The atmosphere at Chillva Market is very authentic: the market more closely resembles a trendy food court. There are many tables, the space is decorated with lanterns and flags, and local musicians perform on stage. In general, it’s not just dinner, but a whole experience.
Banzaan Fresh Market
A large two-story complex with fruits, vegetables, meat and of course, fish and seafood. If you’re staying in Patong, then you definitely need to come here. On the first floor of Banzaan, various sea creatures are sold, and on the second floor there are small restaurants where you can ask them to cook the products you’ve purchased. The atmosphere here is not restaurant-like, but it’s very authentic.
There are no other special seafood markets in Phuket. The fact is that fresh shrimp, squid, and fish can be bought at any night market on the island, the only difference is in the assortment. Of course, the largest selection is at the Rawai market, but if it’s far for you to get to this part of the island, visit one of the markets that is closer to you. You can find it in our compilation of Night Markets.
What to Buy at the Seafood Market
- Tiger prawns – huge, juicy, perfect for grilling with lime sauce
- Langoustines and lobsters – local specimens are often larger and cheaper than in restaurants
- Crabs – from small blue ones to impressive mangrove crabs
- White fish — sea bass, dorado, snappers, and groupers. Rarer marlin and sailfish are also available, which are excellent for baking whole
- Tuna – fresh fillets for sashimi or steaks
- Scallops – the freshest, often sold right in the shells
- Octopus and cuttlefish – local varieties are especially tender and tasty
- Parrotfish – a bright fish with an unusual taste
- Mantis shrimp (praying mantis crab) looks intimidating, but its meat resembles a mixture of shrimp and lobster
We wrote in detail about what sea creatures you can try in Phuket here. You can also try seafood delicacies in the numerous establishments on the island; find suitable ones for you in the Cafes & Restaurants section. And remember: it’s easy to overeat protein, but protein poisoning is a terrible thing. Enjoy, but don’t overdo it.
