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Korean ribbonfish is by no means cheap. Some Korean restaurants use it as a side dish, but usually only a little bit, and it's not so terrific. This time, I went to Namdaemun Market, which is located next to Myeongdong, and is known as the favourite place of Korean Ajummas. Here, you can taste the traditional Korean dish "spicy ribbonfish (갈치 조림)" with at great price. Let's go.

Namdaemun Market Food：Spicy Ribbonfish "Huirak Sikdang" I Information

• Address：22-6, Namdaemunsijang-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea / 서울 중구 남대문시장길 22-6
• Hours：07:00-21:00；Closed on Sundays

Namdaemun Market Food：Spicy Ribbonfish "Huirak Sikdang" I How to Get There

Hoehyun Station Exit 5

Go straight to the right and you will see the street of the two pictures above. There are many Ajummas searching for treasures around. Let's not disturb them and move on.

Continue past the visitor centre

When you see "수입 명품 상가 (Imported Brand Merchants)" in white letters with a blue background on the right, turn left here.

Go into the dumpling shop at the alley, and then go into the first lane on the right side called "Ribbonfish Alley (갈치골목)", which is the street with that we're targeting.

After entering, you will see a whole row of restaurants serving spicy ribbonfish.

Namdaemun Market Food：Spicy Ribbonfish "Huirak Sikdang" I Review

After following the Ajummas, we went to an alley specialised in spicy ribbonfish in Namdaemun Market. In lunchtime in Korea, many locals are waiting in line to eat. The kitchen is just outside the dining room. During the waiting period, guests can admire the cooking skills of the Ajummas and learn the secrets! 

There are two particularly well-known places in this alley, they are "중앙 갈치 (Central Ribbonfish)" and "희락 갈치 (Joy Ribbonfish)". When they saw "Joy Ribbonfish", Ajummas were more enthusiastic, so they chose to eat there. The restaurant is dominated by Tiffany Green, which was popular since the 1960s. Wall-mounted electric fans and stools are truly nostalgic.

And! The menu here is written only in Korean. It seems to be right over here. It really is the food that the locals love.

Joy Ribbonfish / 희락갈치

The 50-year-old restaurant has also been interviewed by Korean TV shows, and the taste of "Joy Ribbonfish" at Namdaemun Market is wonderful.

Ajummas in the restaurant make lots of spicy ribbonfish stews at the same time, which is always very delicious. As for the other side, another Ajumma kept turning the fish on the grill to avoid it scorching.

This colour was popular in Korea in the 1960s.

We were got seats on the second floor of the restaurant. Without thinking twice, we ordered the signature dish "the ribbonfish". The food was served very quickly, and the spicy stewed ribbonfish is served as a set menu. Not only rice and kimchi, but also with dried fish and steamed eggs. All this and only ₩ 9,000 per person, which is really worth it!

Seasoned with the traditional Korean sweet and spicy sauce, it gets rid of the fishy smell of the ribbonfish and makes the whole food more delicious. The helpings are very large, and the fish is not too soft. The shop uses the Jeolla province method, adding a lot of white radishes that are soft, sweet, delicious and nutritious!

It comes with a pot of steamed eggs for free. The extra large portion is for you to eat with rice. Isn't it a good deal?

Assorted side dishes include kimchi, peanuts, kelp, and laver, which are super spicy, and are very diverse. When I saw Korean guys wrapping rice and fish with seaweed, we followed suit! There are two ways to eat the dish, which is awesome.

There are also other menu choices. Refer to the below translation so that you can order easily.

Next time I will go to other traditional markets and discover cheaper and delicious authentic cuisine! 

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