Great seafood starts long before it reaches the pan — it starts with freshness. Knowing how to tell if seafood is fresh helps you shop smarter at the market and recognise quality on your plate. Use these simple, senses-based checks.
Why freshness matters
Seafood is delicate and begins to lose quality quickly. Truly fresh seafood is sweeter, firmer and safer to eat, while seafood past its prime turns soft, sour-smelling and dull. The good news: your eyes and nose can tell you most of what you need to know.
How to tell if fish is fresh
The eyes
Fresh whole fish have clear, bright, slightly bulging eyes. Cloudy, sunken or grey eyes are a sign the fish is old.
The gills
Lift the gill cover — gills should be a vivid red or pink. Brown, grey or slimy gills mean the fish is past its best.
The smell
Fresh fish smells clean, like the sea or a cucumber. A strong “fishy”, sour or ammonia-like smell is a clear warning sign.
The flesh
Press the flesh gently — it should be firm and spring back. If your finger leaves a dent, the fish is no longer fresh. Shiny, tight skin and scales are also good signs.
How to tell if shellfish is fresh
Crab and lobster
Live crab and lobster should feel heavy for their size and still move. Cooked crab should smell sweet and have a tight, intact shell.
Shrimp
Fresh shrimp are firm and slightly translucent, with shells that cling to the meat. Avoid shrimp with black spots or a slippery, mushy texture.
Clams, snails and mussels
These should be alive when raw — closed shells, or shells that snap shut when tapped. Discard any that stay open or smell off.
How to tell if squid is fresh
Fresh squid is firm and glossy with skin that ranges from creamy white to a spotted pinkish-grey. As it ages it turns pinkish-purple and slack, and the smell grows sharper. The flesh should feel slippery-smooth, not sticky.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if fish is fresh?
Look for clear, bright eyes, vivid red or pink gills, firm flesh that springs back when pressed, and shiny, tight skin. Fresh fish should smell clean like the sea, not strongly fishy or sour.
What does fresh seafood smell like?
Fresh seafood smells clean, mild and slightly sweet — like the ocean or a fresh cucumber. A strong fishy, sour or ammonia-like odour means the seafood is no longer fresh.
How do you know if a crab is still good?
A live crab should feel heavy and still move. Cooked crab should have a sweet smell and a tight, intact shell. A sour or ammonia smell, or a loose, watery body, means it has gone off.
Should fresh fish smell fishy?
No. A pronounced fishy smell is actually a sign of age, not freshness. Very fresh fish has only a faint, clean sea-like aroma.
At Kim Anh Restaurant we buy from the local boats every morning, so freshness is never in doubt. See today’s catch on our menu or read how we source our seafood.