Seafood basket

Seafood basket

Un seafood basket - Alex Favali - cc

If you’re a fan of seafood platters or traditional Irish fish and chips, you’re sure to love seafood basket. This speciality, quite common in Ireland, allows you to enjoy a plate of seafood, generally made up of fish, prawns, squid, oysters, or even scallops… all fried! It’s usually accompanied by coleslaw and French fries… for even more gourmet delights… And the icing on the cake: it’s as tasty as it is economical!

Seafood basket snack

A fried version of the seafood platter!

Fried fish fillets, breaded crab sticks, gourmet shrimp fritters, seared octopus… Don’t look any further: the Seafood basket is a sort of revisitation of the traditional seafood platter… but with fish and shellfish, all cooked with a deep-fried base!

Also similar to fish and chips, this terribly addictive dish is delicious and rather high in calories. But above all, it’s a real pleasure to taste!

Served in many seaside restaurants, some Irish pubs also offer it à la carte for a rather affordable €10 to €20 per person.

Please note: the contents of the dish vary according to the establishment and the catch of the day. You can also have a seafood basket based solely on shrimp, scallops or squid. Some may combine fish fillets, hot oysters and shellfish on the same platter, but this is generally rarer… or intended to feed an entire group of people!

It is usually accompanied by dipping sauces such as tartar sauce, mayonnaise or cocktail sauce… and can also be paired with French fries or crudités, such as coleslaw or mashed split peas.

As far as drinks are concerned, we can’t deny that seafood basket is a dish that goes very well with a good pint of stout… But it’s all a question of taste! (to be consumed in moderation, as usual).

Generally speaking, seafood basket portions are generous, even disproportionate. It’s enough to set you up for the rest of the day, and treat yourself to the best the ocean has to offer!

It’s the perfect dish for the adventurous traveler, who likes good things without breaking the bank or making a fuss. A sure bet for junk food fans!

So much more to discover...