In Seoul, the two most prominent seafood markets are Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market and Garak Market. Unlike the bustling traditional markets, these two places are primarily wholesale hubs, which can make them somewhat less accessible to foreigners. They are filled with busy merchants, and the absence of fixed prices can be daunting for those unfamiliar with the dynamics. In this guide, we will compare and contrast these two markets, providing valuable insights for foreign visitors. Plus, we’ll share some essential tips to enhance your experience!

Noryangjin Fisheries Market VS Garak Market

Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market and Garak Market are Seoul’s top two seafood markets, each with its own similarities and differences. Explore the table below to compare the distinctions.

Topic	Noryangjin Fisheries Market	Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Market
Location	Noryangjin-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul (Google Map)	Geoye-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Google map)
Main Products	Fish, seafood, shellfish, dried seafood	Fish, seafood, shellfish, fruits, vegetables, livestock products
Size	Smaller in overall size but with a larger scale of seafood sales compared to Garak Market	Larger in overall size compared to Noryangjin Fisheries Market, but with a smaller scale of seafood sales due to the variety of products
Market Atmosphere	Lively atmosphere, attracts many tourists	Quiet atmosphere, primarily for local residents
Restaurants and Dining Options	Abundance of restaurants and raw fish eateries, pickup and dining options available	Mainly self-service style, simple dining options available, with a focus on pickup
Quality and Price	High-quality seafood available at affordable prices, but limited availability of fruits and vegetables compared to Garak Market	Generally good quality and reasonably priced, but a limited variety of seafood products

Must-try foods at the seafood market

When traveling to South Korea, one must-try food is the assorted sashimi, also known as ‘hoe’ (회) in Korean.

No matter where you go, it’s challenging to find such a diverse range of sashimi options all in one place. You can sample a variety of fresh seafood, including assorted sashimi, live shrimp, king crab, sea cucumber, sea squirt, and more, all at reasonable prices. However, the absolute best is the assorted sashimi.

South Korea is one of the few countries in the world with all four seasons, and the variety of available fish changes with the seasons. Therefore, we highly recommend trying the seasonal assorted sashimi. You can always find delicious sashimi options like sea bream, salmon, and red snapper all year round. These three are universally loved, but during the different seasons, you can add 1-2 types of seasonal sashimi to create a fantastic assorted sashimi experience.

Tips for Foreign Visitors to Noryangjin fisheries market and Garak market

1. Get a Parking Ticket

Both Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market and Garak Market have spacious parking lots, so if you’ve rented a car, you can bring it along. If you’ve parked your car, make sure to ask the shop owner for a “주차권” (parking ticket) after making purchases inside the market. Otherwise, you may have to pay a parking fee.

2. Use the ‘Ineogyojuhaejeokdan'(인어교주해적단) App

Many vendors at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market and Garak Market update their prices daily on the ‘Fishermen’s Gouge’ app. If possible, check the prices in advance because shopkeepers might charge you higher prices if you visit without knowing the market rate. Additionally, there are coupons available, so using them can be helpful. The screenshot below shows the market listing when searching for Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market on the app. This app not only provides prices but also allows you to download coupons.

3. Use the ‘Baedal Minjok'(배달의 민족) App

‘Baedal Minjok’ is a prominent food delivery app in South Korea. Think of it as a service similar to Uber Eats. You can use this app for deliveries as well as takeout from nearby areas. So, it’s recommended to use this app before visiting the seafood market for either delivery or takeout.

4. Avoid Places Known as ‘Chojangjip’ (초장집)

While this concept is familiar to Koreans, it might be confusing for foreigners. After purchasing food at the market, you can pay an additional fee at a place within the market itself, and they will prepare and serve your meal. This is often called “상차림 비용” (sangcharim cost). Such establishments are generally considered unwelcoming, and the prices are relatively high. Locals tend to avoid these places. It’s recommended to pack your purchases and enjoy your meal outdoors, at your hotel, or by the Han River, if possible.

Exciting Promotions at Noryangjin and Garak Markets

Until the end of this year, both Noryangjin Fish Market and Garak Market are running a promotion where you can receive 20,000 KRW worth of gift vouchers. This promotion is open to both Koreans and foreigners. The vouchers you’ll receive are called ‘Onnuri Gift Vouchers,’ and they can be used at any traditional market in South Korea. If you’re an international visitor looking to savor the experience of South Korea’s market culture, be sure to participate in these exciting events

1. Duration

August 31st, 2023 – December 15th, 2023 (Weekdays: 13:00 – 18:00, Weekends: 9:00 – 18:00, Gift Voucher Redemption Available)

2. Locations

Noryangjin Fish Market, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and Garak Market, Songpa-gu, Seoul

3. Eligibility

Customers who purchase domestic seafood at participating stores.
For domestic and foreign seafood and processed products, at least 70% of the main ingredients must be domestic seafood to qualify.

4. Benefits

Receive Onnuri Gift Vouchers within a limit of 20,000 KRW per person based on the amount spent on domestic seafood.

⭐ Spend over 50,000 KRW, receive a 20,000 KRW Onnuri Gift Voucher.
⭐ Spend over 25,000 KRW, receive a 10,000 KRW Onnuri Gift Voucher.

5. How to Receive Gift Vouchers

Submit your receipt for the purchase of domestic seafood at the gift counter. (Personal identification required!)

Order
Purchase domestic seafood at participating stores	Register receipt sales information on the ‘Haenuri’ app. (What the seller does)	Visit the event venue in market. *Personal identification required.	Get the Onnuri gift certificate after confirmation of receipt

Receipt verification and Onnuri Gift Voucher refund – applicable only to card receipts and cash receipts (income tax receipts only).
Business expenditure receipts are not eligible, and reissued receipts are not accepted.
Personal identification requires an ID card, mobile phone number, or credit card.

6. Notes

• Ineligible Items: General restaurants, alcohol, beverages, Zero Pay discounted items, government-stored release items are not eligible for double discounts.
• Substitute receipt collection on behalf of the purchaser is not allowed.
• Individuals cannot bring multiple receipts and collect on behalf of family members.

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