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Sokcho Central Market
Best time to visit
Come on a weekday morning around 9-10, when the market is just starting to operate at full capacity and the crowds of tourists have not yet arrived. The most delicious sashimi is available before 11 am.
Budget tips
Entrance to the market is free. You can try hoe-sets from 15,000 won, and dried squid or rice sweets from 5,000 won. Bring cash: many of the older vendors do not accept cards.
Recommended for
Food tourists, Street food photo hunters, Budget travelers
Plan your visit
1.5-2.5 hours
About
Quick facts: Around 30,000 people pass through Sokcho Central Market every day, especially during fresh seafood season. Here you can try hwe, Korean sashimi, on the go, buying it from fishermen who have just returned with their morning catch.
Highlights: In the alley behind the fish section, there is a tiny hwe street where for 15,000 won they slice sashimi for you right on a Styrofoam box, and nearby they grill the leftover fish over charcoal. Locals call this poor man's sashimi, but in terms of freshness, it is on par with expensive restaurants.
Insider tips
- Do not miss the alley with fried fish cakes. The most delicious one-ogai (fish pie) is sold right at the exit of the main entrance.
- The best place to take photos is near the seafood row, when the sun shines through the awnings. Around 10 am the light is perfect.
- Do not buy the first portion of hoe you see. Walk to the end of the row; there the prices are 20-30% lower and the freshness is the same.
- Avoid the lunch break from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Many stalls close and the market noticeably empties out.
- Try tteokbokki in a paper cup in the eastern part of the market. It has been made according to a family recipe for 25 years.
Where to Stay in Sokcho
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