If you have never had a seafood boil before, the first question you ask is. What exactly is in it?
It is a fair question. A seafood boil looks like a giant, chaotic pile of food on a tray. But there is a real method behind it. Every ingredient is chosen for a reason. The seafood, the sides, the seasoning, and the sauce all work together to create something that is more than the sum of its parts.
At Mermaid Boil in Mississauga, we have spent years perfecting what goes into our platters. Our head chef Hesham Abdelrehim has built each boil from scratch, choosing seafood combinations and sauce profiles that actually make sense together. Nothing on our platter is filler. Everything earns its place.
This guide breaks down exactly what a seafood boil contains, what sides and sauces come with it, and how to choose the right platter when you visit us in Mississauga or anywhere across the GTA.
So What Actually Goes Into a Seafood Boil?
A seafood boil is a shared meal built around a generous mix of fresh seafood, hearty sides, and bold seasoning. The whole point is abundance. You are not ordering a single plate. You are ordering a spread.
The core of any seafood boil is the seafood itself. That usually means a combination of shrimp, crab, mussels, and lobster. Around that, you get sides like corn on the cob, potatoes, or rice. Everything gets tossed or coated in a flavoured sauce, whether that is Cajun butter, lemon garlic, or something the restaurant has developed on its own.
What separates a good seafood boil from a great one is the quality of each component. Fresh seafood that is properly cooked, sides that actually complement the dish, and a sauce that ties everything together without overpowering the natural flavors of the seafood.
At Mermaid Boil, every platter is served on a tray, not in a plastic bag. You get to see exactly what you ordered. The presentation is part of the experience.
What Seafood is Commonly Used in a Seafood Boil?
This is where most restaurants play it safe and stick to shrimp and crab. We go further.
Here is what you will find in a Mermaid Boil seafood boil:
Shrimp
Shrimp is the anchor of any seafood boil. It absorbs sauce well, cooks quickly, and works with every flavour profile. We use whole shrimp because they hold flavour better than peeled shrimp during cooking.
Mussels
Mussels bring a briny, ocean-forward flavour that adds depth to the overall platter. They open up during cooking and soak in whatever sauce surrounds them. If you have only ever had mussels in a French bistro, try them in a Cajun boil. It is a completely different experience.
Calamari
Most seafood boil restaurants skip calamari entirely. We include it because it adds a different texture to the platter. Tender rings alongside shrimp and mussels make the eating experience more interesting. In our Mermaid Fried boil, the calamari is fried to a crisp golden finish.
Lobster Tail
Every single Mermaid Boil platter includes lobster tail. This is not an add-on or an upgrade. It comes standard. Lobster tail adds a sweetness and richness that you cannot get from shrimp alone. It is also what makes our platters feel like a proper dining experience rather than a casual takeout order.
Snow Crab (Add-On)
For guests who want to go bigger, we offer snow crab as an add-on. Snow crab legs have sweet, delicate meat that pairs well with our Lemon and Garlic sauce in particular.
Tentacles (Add-On)
Tentacles are not something you see on many menus in Mississauga. We offer them as an add-on for guests who want something bold and different. They absorb sauce in a way that calamari rings do not.
Fresh Fish (Add-On)
We also offer fresh fish as an add-on for guests who want a lighter protein alongside the heavier shellfish. It rounds out the platter if you are feeding a group with varied preferences.
What Vegetables and Sides are Included in a Seafood Boil?
The sides in a seafood boil are not afterthoughts. They are there to balance the richness of the seafood and give you something to soak up the sauce with.
At Mermaid Boil, you choose two sides with every platter. Your options are:
Corn on the Cob
Corn is a classic seafood boil side for good reason. The natural sweetness cuts through the heat of a spicy sauce. It also soaks up butter and seasoning. We serve it in thick cuts so you actually get a proper piece, not a decorative slice.
Fries
Golden, crispy fries work especially well with our Mermaid Fried platter. They give you something to dip and snack on between bites of seafood.
Brown Rice (Sayadeya)
Sayadeya is a traditional Egyptian-style spiced rice cooked with a rich, deeply seasoned broth. It is aromatic, filling, and completely different from plain steamed rice.
Yellow Rice
A lighter, fragrant option for guests who want rice without the bold spice profile of the Sayadeya.
Egyptian Salad
A fresh garden salad to balance the heaviness of the platter. Simple, crisp, and a smart choice if you are ordering a larger size.
What Seasonings and Sauces Are Used in a Seafood Boil?
The sauce is what defines a seafood boil. You can have the same seafood and get a completely different meal depending on what you toss it in.
At Mermaid Boil, we offer three sauce and flavour options:
Lemon and Garlic
This is the cleanest and brightest option. Fresh lemon and garlic let the natural sweetness of the lobster tail and shrimp come forward. If you are a first-time guest or someone who prefers lighter flavours, start here. It is zesty without being heavy.
Mermaid Sauce (Cajun and Tajine)
This is our signature sauce and the one that makes us different from every other seafood boil restaurant in Mississauga. Chef Hesham blends Cajun seasoning with Tajine spices to create something you genuinely cannot find anywhere else in the GTA. It is bold, layered, and complex without being just heat. The Tajine spices add a warmth and depth that Cajun alone does not deliver.
Fried
The Mermaid Fried option is for guests who want a different texture experience altogether. Instead of a sauced boil, the seafood comes fried to a crisp finish. The calamari rings, shrimp, and sides come together in a way that feels like elevated comfort food. Note that mussels are not included in the fried option.
You also choose your heat level. Mild, Spicy, or Fire. Our Fire level is genuinely hot. If you are not a regular spice eater, start with Spicy before committing to Fire.
What Makes Mermaid Boil’s Seafood Boil Different?
A lot of seafood boil restaurants in Mississauga and across the GTA serve their food in plastic bags. You shake the bag, dump it on the table, and eat off paper. That is one way to do it.
We do not do it that way.
Every Mermaid Boil seafood boil is served on a tray. You can see the lobster tail, the mussels, the corn, the rice, and the calamari laid out in front of you. It feels like a proper meal, not a takeout experience. That matters when you are dining with family or bringing a group.
Beyond presentation, what separates us is the combination of ingredients and the sauce profile. Most seafood boil restaurants in GTA stick to Cajun butter and call it a day. Our Mermaid Sauce blends Cajun and Tajine spices in a way that Chef Hesham has refined specifically for our menu. It is not something you can replicate at another restaurant.
Lemon and Garlic Seafood Boil
Clean, bright, and fresh. This platter lets the seafood speak for itself. The lemon cuts through the richness of the lobster tail and the mussels, while the garlic adds a savory depth. Great for guests who want bold flavor without heavy sauce. Includes shrimp, calamari, mussels, lobster tail, two sides, and your choice of heat.
Mermaid Sauce Seafood Boil
Our most popular platter. The Cajun and Tajine sauce blend is rich, aromatic, and completely unique to Mermaid Boil. The sauce coats every piece of seafood and gets absorbed into the rice and corn. If you are visiting for the first time and want the full Mermaid Boil experience, order this one. Includes shrimp, calamari, mussels, lobster tail, two sides, and your choice of heat.
Mermaid Fried Seafood Boil
For guests who love crunch. The seafood is fried rather than boiled and sauced, which gives you a completely different texture. The calamari rings come out golden and crispy. The shrimp have a light, crunchy coating. Served with fries and your choice of a second side. Note that mussels are not included in this option.
Can I Customise a Seafood Boil?
Yes, and we actively encourage it.
Every Mermaid Boil platter lets you choose your size, your sauce, your heat level, and your two sides. On top of that, you can add extra seafood to any platter. Add-on options include:
- Lobster
- Lobster Tail
- 1LB Tentacles
- Fresh Fish
- 1LB Shrimp
- 1LB Mussels
- Snow Crab
- 1LB Calamari
You can also substitute mussels or calamari with shrimp if you have a preference. We want you to build the platter that actually works for you, not just pick from a fixed menu.
What Size Seafood Boil Should I Order?
We offer three sizes across all our platters:
1LB – 5 pieces shrimp, 5 pieces calamari, 5 pieces mussel, and 1 lobster tail. This is the right size for one person with a good appetite or two people sharing alongside other dishes.
2LB – 10 pieces shrimp, 10 pieces calamari, 10 pieces mussel, and 2 lobster tails. A solid option for two people or one very hungry person.
3LB – 15 pieces shrimp, 15 pieces calamari, 15 pieces mussel, and 3 lobster tails. This is the group platter. Order this if you are coming with family or a few friends and want a proper shared dining experience.
If you are bringing a larger group, combine two platters with different sauce options so everyone gets to try something different.
Which Seafood Boil Flavour is Suitable for Diners?
Here is a simple way to think about it:
- First time trying a seafood boil? Start with Lemon and Garlic at Mild heat. It is the most approachable and lets you understand what a seafood boil actually tastes like before you go bold.
- Do you love Cajun food? Go straight to Mermaid Sauce. The Cajun and Tajine blend will give you everything you want from a Cajun boil plus something extra.
- You prefer fried over sauced seafood? The Mermaid Fried platter is your order.
- Can you handle serious heat? Try Mermaid Sauce at Fire level. It is not for everyone but it is genuinely rewarding if you love spice.
Where Can I Find a Seafood Boil in Mississauga?
Mermaid Boil is located in Mississauga and serves guests from across the GTA. Whether you are coming from Brampton, Toronto, Oakville, or anywhere in between, we are worth the drive.
We serve fresh seafood platters in a proper sit-down setting. No plastic bags, no paper table covers, no rushed experience. Just a well-built platter, a bold sauce, and enough seafood to make it a meal worth remembering.
FAQs
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What does a seafood boil usually have?
Most seafood boils have shrimp and crab as the base. At Mermaid Boil, we also include calamari and lobster tail in every platter, with add-ons like snow crab, tentacles, and fresh fish available.
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What seafood is best for a boil?
Shrimp, mussels, lobster tail, and calamari all work exceptionally well in a boil. They absorb sauce, cook evenly, and offer different textures in a single platter. Snow crab is also a great addition for guests who want something meatier.
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Are seafood boils spicy?
They can be. At Mermaid Boil, you choose your heat level. Mild, Spicy, or Fire. You are in control of how much heat your platter carries.
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What sauce goes on a seafood boil?
Common options are Cajun butter and lemon garlic. At Mermaid Boil, we also offer our signature Mermaid Sauce, a blend of Cajun and Tajine spices developed by Chef Hesham. It is the most popular option on our menu.
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What sides come with a seafood boil?
At Mermaid Boil, you choose two sides from salad, fries, brown rice (Sayadeya), yellow rice, and corn.
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What is the difference between a Cajun seafood boil and a regular seafood boil?
A regular seafood boil uses basic salt and seasoning in the cooking water. A Cajun seafood boil uses a spiced butter sauce loaded with paprika, cayenne, garlic, and other aromatics. Our Mermaid Sauce takes it further by blending Cajun spices with Tajine, which adds a depth you will not find in a standard Cajun boil.
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Does Mermaid Boil offer lobster, shrimp, and mussels?
Yes. Every Mermaid Boil platter includes lobster tail, shrimp, mussels, and calamari as standard. You can also add extra lobster, lobster tail, or mussels as add-ons.
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What seafood boil flavor should I choose at Mermaid Boil?
If you want something light and fresh, go with Lemon and Garlic. If you want something bold and complex, order the Mermaid Sauce. If you prefer fried over sauced, the Mermaid Fried platter is the one for you.
