Noryangjin is Seoul's massive wholesale fish market: buy live seafood downstairs, haul it to a second-floor restaurant that slices it into sashimi or cooks it for a fee. Sections run near round-the-clock. Thrilling and fresh, but haggle hard and confirm all prices first.
Key facts
| Hours | General fish market: approx. 1:30am-10:00pm High-class section: 24 hours Restaurants upstairs: roughly late morning to late night (varies) |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Noryangjin Station (Line 1 / Line 9), connected by footbridge |
| Time needed | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Late morning for full stalls, or pre-dawn for the wholesale auction spectacle |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.6/10- Value6.5
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.3
- excellence7.5
- Crowd level6.5
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is it good for solo travelers?
- It is workable but built for groups, since minimum purchases and table fees make small orders pricey per head. Solo, focus on a modest sashimi portion at one vendor. Some stalls do smaller set portions if you ask.
- How does Noryangjin actually work?
- You pick and buy live seafood from a ground-floor vendor, agree a price, then carry it upstairs to a restaurant that preps it. They slice fish into hoe (sashimi) or cook it, charging a per-person table and cooking fee on top of what you paid for the seafood.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Late morning to afternoon for a relaxed browse with full stalls, or come pre-dawn (around 3-6am) to catch the live wholesale auctions, a genuine spectacle. Peak restaurant hours are dinner, when the upstairs fills with groups.
- Do I need to haggle?
- Yes, and it matters. Vendors quote higher to tourists, often via calculator. Ask a few stalls, compare, and negotiate before committing. Knowing rough market prices for your target seafood saves you real money and earns respect.
- How much are the upstairs cooking or table fees?
- Restaurants charge a set fee per person for slicing, side dishes, and cooking, often a few thousand won each, plus extra for spicy stew (maeuntang) made from the bones. Always confirm these fees before handing over your fish to avoid surprises.
- Is it a rip-off for foreigners?
- It can be if you do not check weights and fees, since some vendors overcharge and swap fish. Watch the scale, confirm the exact fish goes upstairs with you, and agree all costs in advance. Done carefully, it is fresh and fair.
- What should I buy?
- Popular picks are live flatfish and sea bream for sashimi, king crab, abalone, sea squirt, and shrimp. King crab is a splurge sold by weight; watch it weighed. For a first visit, a mixed sashimi platter plus a spicy fish stew is a classic combo.
- How do I get there?
- Noryangjin Station serves Line 1 and Line 9, linked to the market by a covered footbridge, so it is easy and weatherproof. The modern market building replaced the old open hall; both the seafood and the upstairs restaurants are inside.
Nearby in Ask Seoul
- Mapo Hangang Park (Nodeul Island area)Park0.48 km · 6 min walk
- Pong DangBar2.16 km · 27 min walk
- Yeouido Hangang ParkPark2.42 km · 30 min walk
- National Museum of KoreaMuseum2.54 km · 32 min walk
- Fritz Coffee CompanyCafé2.78 km · 35 min walk
Where to stay near Noryangjin Fish Market
Compare hotels & stays on Booking.com · doesn’t affect the Friend Score