With its narrow walkways, the constant rush of carts hauling goods in and out, and sashimi masters filling orders right on their cutting boards, Seoul's Noryangjin Fish Market is a worthy stop for adventurous foodies.
Founded in 1927, it is the city's largest indoor seafood market and a genuine place to see the ocean's bounty up close, with no frills, in a bustling bazaar that stays open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Noryangjin moved to its current home in 1971, and a modernization project followed in 2015. The eight-story structure houses hundreds of shops, many of them unnamed and unnumbered.
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According to official figures, the market handles roughly 50% of the capital's seafood volume, with 250 to 300 tons of marine products sold here every day.
Seafood is shipped in from ports all across the country to keep up with demand.
The market is open at any hour, but the real fun kicks off during the morning auctions. And by early morning, we mean one o'clock in the dead of night.
Some people might find it a little unnerving to look the fish they're about to eat in the eye, and the blood and guts on the floor can be off-putting too, but more often than not the taste buds win out.
You can pick your seafood straight from the tank, and the vendors will prepare it right there on the spot. Nearby restaurants will cook up the fresh catch you bought at the market. It's not fancy, but that's exactly why it tastes so good.
Even though prices at Noryangjin run 20 to 30% lower than the big stores around it, you still have to haggle. Just keep in mind that the vendors wield very large, very sharp knives, so you'll want to keep yourself in check.
