Not many travelers can say they have experienced the exciting sights, sounds, and smells of a local fish market. Even fewer can claim they had their fresh seafood treasure grilled on the spot! Only a slim minority of visitors find their way into one of these fun cultural encounters. Here is a firsthand look into what you might expect; hidden away in the busy center of Houmt Souk, Tunisia, an authentic Djerba Fish Market.

Buying Your First Fish

During busy morning hours, the market is buzzing with life. From the second you enter the covered roof, you will be greeted by a plethora of new smells, sales calls, and slimy friends. There are dozens of fresh-catch options of fish, shrimp, and squid to choose from. Most of which, unless you are very familiar with seafood, you will not have a clue what it is. Delivered early this morning, these catches were reeled in somewhere deep in the Mediterranean sea. They are now on display for you!

In typical African fashion, the business sales strategy is not subtle. Fishermen are enthusiastic about showing you their favorite shrimp and healthiest bass. They might even hold it right in your face for a good look! The yelling and in-your-face advertising can be overwhelming for some. Many travelers find market vendors pushy and intimidating. Rest assured, it is nothing personal against you. In fact, they are typically very happy to see a foreigner visiting and trying out their food. But for sake of competition with the fisherman around the corner, they will use their best sales tactics to convince you to buy their fish first. Look ahead for some tricks and rules for haggling with street vendors.

Navigating foreign markets, being stared at by locals, and just generally making yourself uncomfortable often takes a strong traveler’s confidence, or better yet, a local guide who knows the best tips and tricks. Nevertheless, if you are alone or with company, don’t stress yourself over it. Enjoy the experience. Relish the chaos. Use your non-verbal communication skills to pick out any variety of fresh fish that sticks out to you, exchange the local currency, and prepare for a delicious meal!

Grill Your Fishy Friend at a Local Restaurant

Once you have selected your favorite foreign fish, the fun is far from over. The next step is to take the catch to a nearby restaurant to be grilled. In the Houmt Souk, Djerba Fish Market, there is a restaurant that right across from the seller tables. This is a typical practice in many coastal marketplaces. Whereas restaurants in the Western world are often restricted by menus and health codes, abroad there are many small community cooks who are delighted to cook just about anything to order. Only, be flexible to wait longer wait times. As a byproduct of the laid-back, no-hustle culture, locals are known to underestimate wait times. Be ready to add 10 or more minutes to your wait time.

Eating in the Djerba Fish Market

Once you have given your fish to the chef, they will be thrown on the grill and seasoned for a tasty, authentic preparation. As you wait, the restaurant may provide the table with a traditional Tunisian appetizer such as a baguette and an assortment of salad dips. Before you even realize it, your fish will return. Your fish, shrimp, and squid are dressed in lemon and assorted to your savory. Locals can surely make some delicious Tunisian food! Enjoy!

Animal lover warning! While you eat, you may also receive a few visitors. Stray pets, particularly cats, show lots of affection to generous foreigners with fish. They may sound an adorable meow, but you should resist dropping them some of your scraps. If you feed one, the whole city of cats will hear word of your gift. Quickly, you will have many, many more cat friends than you can feed! You have been warned.

Plan Your Adventure to Tunisia

Eating at fresh fish markets, traveling, and encountering an unfamiliar world is an opportunity only a few get to take. It is unforgettable. If this experience seems like your kind of adventure, you should take your own trip to visit the Tunisian markets! Our company specializes in private tours crafted to give you the most memorable, excitement-packed trip. Contact one of our travel experts today!

Have you ever tried fresh, market-sold fish? Leave a comment below.