Watch any You Tube video regarding Korea and you're bound to see one (probably more) where the subjects are eating raw, moving octopus parts. Eeew, right?!? But we came halfway across the world, over the Pacific Ocean and sat 13 hours on a plane. We're already on an adventure, my friends, so why the heck not try it?
As you follow the street directions towards the market, you'll be led into this tunnel that is filled with makeshift vegetable stalls.
This is not the Noryangjin Market that is prominent in most YouTube videos. Evidently, there is a new market (this one) and an old one, which I later found out was tucked beside this enormous building. Apparently, the tenants at the old building did not want to move here yet, so now you have two markets that are each half-full. Needless to say, the new market is clean and bright and I'm assuming, that had I known how to read Korean, those digital signs would be helpful, as well.
Prawns of every sort |
Live clams |
If you're a seafood lover, this is paradise. Most of the sea creatures here are still alive and breathing when you buy them, so you can't get any fresher than that. Also, apparently, if lives in the sea, it can be eaten. Just as in the case of the crudely named Penis Fish.
These are actually some sort of sea worm, if you squish it, it squirts! :) We did not taste these creatures.
Some sort of ocean tube worm |
The Lucky Octopus |
We were quite frugal, with our meal only amounting to KRW 17,000. I mean, we only had the prawns grilled and the rest were prepared raw, so that's reasonable. Most people pay upwards of KRW 50,000 because they add the drinks in. As you can see, we're quite content with the service water.
The food finally arrived. We got our raw octopus cut up into squirmy bits. The suction cups in the tentacles are still active at this point, so it is imperative that you chew and chew and chew before you swallow. They try to climb up and down the chopsticks, too, or walk out of the plate altogether! Hilarious.
The meal came with sesame oil, chilli, garlic, lettuce and wasabi. |
Our grilled prawns. |
The salmon hoe or sashimi was juicy and creamy, and the prawns were sweet and succulent.
Our neighbors next table were already at it with the soju at 11:00 AM! :) Ahhh, to enjoy food and drink like Korean millenials...
Definitely check out this cool market when you come to Seoul. You don't have to try the San-nakji but there's fish aplenty. Just bring your appetite and don't let your nose lead the way.
If you haven't seen it yet, come watch our Noryangjin Market video!
Xoxo,
Karrisa and Ketie