Fish and Seafood Recipes

Fish und Meeresfrüchte

Germany may not be famous for its seafood - you rather expect saussage (Wurst) and pork meat (Schweinefleisch).

However, since Germany has two main coasts (Nordsee and Ostsee) Northern Germany has quite a tradition concerning fish and seafood. If you visit a city like Hamburg you will be offered seafood in almost every single restaurant (People hating fish even insist that the beer from Hamburg tastes like fish).

In Hamburg there is a very famous fish market which is a real tourist attraction since the vendors perform like entertainers when selling the fish.

So let's explore the world of seafood recipes (in cooperation with www.weloveseafood.com - a delicious resource for hundreds of seafood recipes)

Seafood
In German: Meeresfrüchte - actually has the same meaning as in English - Früchte being fruits (the plural of Frucht - fruit). Seafood is any sea animal that is served as food or is suitable for eating. This usually includes seawater animals, such as fish and shellfish. Most of the times people differentiate between fish and seafood.

Shrimps
There is some confusion in German how to call what is called shrimps in English. Most people call it Krabbe. This is related to the English word crab. In recent time the English word shrimp is also used in German. So if you want to get it right just use the English word shrimp in German. Most people will understand you. Where the exact naming can by confusing here and there - there is no doubt that shrimps are very delicious. You can find them in Germany in many fastfood restaurants served with a garlic cream. Please also see our recommendation on shrimp recipes for more ideas on how to prepare shrimps.

Crabs
What is called crab in English is mostly referred to as Garnele in German. As with the example of shrimps - some poeple name it differently also depending on which region of Germany you are in. Most times Garnelen are larger than Krabben. Crab recipes are usually prepared in Spanish of Italian restaurants. The crabs there are usually imported from the Mediterranian. However, dishes with crabs are usually rather expensive compared to dishes with meat.

Lobster
This is a very delicious - and very expensive meal in Germany with a name you will be able to memorize easily. The German word for it is Hummer. In some regions people might also understand the English word lobster - especially in Northern Germany. Just be prepared to spend 30 Euros or more when ordering a Hummer. If you want to prepare it yourself during a stay in Germany go to a Chinese supermarket, get a frozen hummer and head over to lobster recipes for some ideas how to prepare it.

Scallops
Scallops in German is Jakobsmuschel (Jacob's mussel). It is usually served as an entry and sometimes as part of a salad. See also scallops recipes for more ideas on how to prepare scallops.

Clams and mussels
Clam in German is Venusmuschel where mussle means Miesmuschel. As you may notice the term Muschel - actually related to the English mussel - is used for many types of seafood. Clams and mussel recipes can be prepared in different ways, including steaming, boiling, baking or frying.

Fish
The word fish is pronounced exactly as it is in English. Only the way you write it slightly different. In German it is Fisch - but when pronouncing it you cannot hear any difference. Fish recipes are very common in Germany since Germany has a pretty long coast line in the North. Hamburg is one of the biggest ports in the world.