Where to Buy and Cook Fresh Seafood in Shenzhen Like a Local (2026)
Go to Shekou Seafood Market 蛇口海鲜市场. Take Metro Line 2 to Dongtoujiao Station and walk 5 minutes to the wet market. The market opens at 5 AM when fishing boats unload; tourist hours work fine from 10 AM to 8 PM. Buy live seafood by the jin (500 grams): clams around ¥10 per jin, mantis shrimp ¥80 to ¥120, abalone ¥10 per piece. Haggling is normal; expect 10 to 20 percent off the first quote. Carry the bag of seafood across the street to a processing restaurant. De Ji 德记 and Long Ji 龙记 are the locals' picks. They charge ¥10 per jin for steaming or salt-and-pepper, and ¥20 per jin for stir-fry with garlic or chili. A meal for four costs around ¥400 to ¥500 total including drinks. The restaurants supply rice, vegetables, and beer separately at fixed prices on the menu. No English menus; use Google Translate camera mode or point at the photos. Pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay; cash works but breaks the rhythm. Confirm the restaurant accepts outside seafood before sitting down, as some places now require you to buy from their own tank under tightened hygiene rules.
- Take Metro Line 2 to Dongtoujiao Station; the market is a 5-minute walk and runs daily 5 AM to 9 PM.
- Buy live seafood by jin (500 g): clams ¥10 per jin, abalone ¥10 per piece; haggle 10-20 percent off the first quote.
- Drop your seafood at De Ji or Long Ji across the street; processing fee is ¥10 per jin steamed, ¥20 per jin stir-fried.
- Budget ¥400-500 for four people including beer and rice; Alipay or WeChat Pay works at every restaurant.
- Confirm the restaurant accepts outside seafood before sitting; some now require you to buy from their tank due to hygiene rules.
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