Can You Eat Jellyfish? Yes, But Not All Jellyfish

Cannonball jellyfish are one of the edible species. Humberto Ramirez / Getty Images

Jellyfish might look like something you’d never want near your dinner plate, but people have been eating them for centuries. But can you eat jellyfish safely?

Yes, and not only are some species edible, they’re considered a delicacy in several Asian countries.

In fact, edible jellyfish show up in dishes like jellyfish salad across China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. These gelatinous marine animals aren’t just eaten raw; people also deep fry, marinate, and cook them in soups.

Not All Jellyfish Are Edible

Out of the thousands of jellyfish species floating around the ocean, only a handful are edible. These edible jellyfish species include the cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus meleagris) and the moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita).

Edibility varies significantly by species, and consuming the wrong jellyfish species can lead to illness or even be fatal due to toxins they contain. That’s why only certain jellyfish species make it through the traditional methods of processing jellyfish safely.

How Jellyfish Are Processed for Eating

Fresh jellyfish are more than 95 percent water, so turning them into food is a science all its own. After being caught—often in coastal areas using fishing nets—jellyfish are processed quickly to prevent spoilage.

Processing jellyfish typically involves salting (often with alum) and drying for several weeks. This lengthy curing process reduces the jellyfish’s water content, firms its texture, and removes most toxins.

This method turns the slippery marine animal into a firm, dehydrated jellyfish product that can be stored and shipped.

Where People Eat Jellyfish (and Why)

Chinese marinated jellyfish — Crunchy, chewy, and likely different from most salads you've tried. deeepblue / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Several Asian countries consider jellyfish a high-protein, low-calorie food source. It’s common to see jellyfish as food in markets across China, Japan and Thailand. Dishes often pair the jellyfish with vegetables and sesame oil.

Jellyfish collagen, which gives them their structure, can be broken down through salting and dehydration. This results in a crunchy, chewy texture perfect for salads.

Jellyfish as food is beginning to gain attention in Western countries too, thanks to its unique texture and nutritional profile. It contains essential amino acids and low fat, making it a seafood alternative with potential health perks.

Jellyfish Populations and Global Fisheries

Jellyfish blooms have been reported to increase in many areas, often attributed to ocean warming and the loss of natural predators from overfishing.

By removing jellyfish predators, overfishing can create a vicious cycle where jellyfish thrive and prey on fish eggs and larvae, further undermining fish stocks.

Jellyfish fishery — Overfishing jellyfish predators has caused jellyfish populations to surge in some regions.
kampee patisena / Getty Images

Jellyfish population booms have opened opportunities for new jellyfish fisheries. In recent decades, countries outside Asia—including parts of the U.S., Mexico, and Ecuador—began harvesting local jellyfish for export to meet Asian market demand.

Countries along the Mediterranean coast are exploring jellyfish as a food source, while researchers like Jack Rudloe advocate for expanding human consumption to help balance marine ecosystems.

What to Know Before Trying Jellyfish

If you’re planning to try eating jellyfish, make sure it’s from a safe, edible species. Never eat jellyfish you find at the beach; even a dead jellyfish can still have active stinging cells in its tentacles. Also, improperly processed jellyfish can cause skin reactions or cardiac problems.

The same species can vary in toxicity, depending on where the jellyfish live. Always rely on seafood markets or restaurants that specialize in jellyfish dishes. As with all seafood, safety starts with sourcing.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.