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※ The actual region of the content is selected."Grilled Fish and Soju?" "Sounds good," says a nearby fabric store owner. Through kindness and unchanging taste, the Grilled Fish Street has gained the affection of many.
It's been more than 40 years since the development of this alley. It started with one fried-food restaurant that began to sample grilled fish here and there to customers. Eventually, the restaurant changed its focus, and grilled fish restaurants started to appear one by one. Just from a simple stroll through the alley, you will encounter the sight of friendly ahjummas calling out to you, cooks flipping fish over a grill, delivery men with orders piled high, and customers wondering which restaurant to go to.
The alley features around 14 different grilled fish restaurants, which might feel a little overwhelming. While each restaurant may have its regular customers, those who come often know that at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter where you go. Every place offers delicious food that has customers coming back over and over again. During lunch time, many people that frequent this alley are business owners/workers from the nearby Pyeonghwa Market. The crowds start to form near the "Jeon Tae Il" bridge area.
All of the fish on this alley is bought fresh on a daily basis. Japanese Spanish Mackerel, Mackerel, etc. are pickled in Korean sea salt and then kept in the refrigerator to enhance the "ripening" process. Fish is first lightly grilled in advance, and as soon as an order is made, the fish is grilled again on a charcoal cooker within 5 minutes. No matter how busy you are, you'll still be able to get a meal in due to their quick, and skilled cooking methods. Between restaurants, the menu, price, and banchan (side dishes) do not vary all that much. Every restaurant on this alley typically sells Mackerel, Largehead hairtail, Mackerel Pike, etc. Restaurants also offer stir-fried octopus and squid, extra fermented soy bean paste soup, etc. Side dishes include soy bean paste soup, seasoned bean sprouts, radish water Kimchi, and pickled perilla leaves. The sour and salty flavors of the banchan go well with the light and clean taste of the fish.
This alley has become well known to many foreigners as well. Through word-of-mouth and a simple internet search, many have come and gone. Chinese people tend to come for croakers, Westerners like their fish extremely crispy, and Japanese people generally look for grilled mackerel. Not only does Dongdaemun Food Alley boast grilled fish and "Dak Hanmari," it is also well-known for its hoddeuk and sundae food stalls.
③ Tourists as well as workers from the Pyounghwa Fashion town gather at the grilled fish street.
④ Grilled Mackerel Set.
⑤ A variety of fish are available such as Atka Mackerel, Largehead hairtail, Mackerel, etc. for around 7,000 won.
⑥ Fish is lightly grilled at first and upon ordering, is grilled once more in a coal cooker.
Towards the inside of the grilled fish alley, there are several "dak hanmari" (whole chicken) restaurants as well. Although grilled fish is the focus of this alley, many come looking specifically for this dish as well. These restaurants are located at the west end of the alley.
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Subway: Line 1, 4, Dongdaemun Station, Exit 9 |
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Buses: 101, 105, 152, 201, 262, 370, 720,721 |
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Jongo-gu Office: http://www.jongno.go.kr |
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Inquiries: 02-2148-1853 |
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Gwangjang Market http://www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr/ |
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Changsindong Cliff Village |
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Looming right before your eyes, this cliff village once held very sad memories during the Japanese occupation. But, to first-timers, one cannot help but be in awe of the beautiful sight. |