Meowjo's Travel Memories.....: Korea Day 4 (Cheonggyecheon Stream > Best Western Premier Kukdo Hotel > Noryanghin Fish Market

Cheonggyecheon Stream

4th Day morning...before checking out Jongno Aventree...we went back to Cheonggyecheon stream from a morning walk and view...

Along the streams, there were many small nice pretty flowers (eg: forget-me-not) and several different type of bridges or rocks path to cross over to the other side of the stream.

There are some themes or art features along different part of the stream. However, it will take hrs to complete the whole stream so we only walked partial of it.

We were surprised to see big carp like fishes in this shallow stream, 30-40cm long.

After this, we just had a simple brunch @ Insadong, grabbed a couple more Poopoo biscuits & headed back to hotel for check out.

Check in Best Western Premier Kukdo Hotel

The BEST WESTERN PREMIER Hotel Kukdo is a brand-new hotel opened in March 2007 in the heart of Seoul.

There is a subway station (Uljiro 4-ga Sta.) 5mins walk from the hotel that connects to line No.2 and No.5 and the airport limousine bus (605-1) to Incheon Airport is just right in front of the hotel.

The hotel is within a business district and near to major tourist/shopping areas like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Lotte Duty free, Insadong and Nandaemun. However, all are not like within 10mins walking distance. You can take subway (1-2stations) or taxi (5-10mins ride). There are also 2 markets 5mins away if you will like to see their some of their locals' lifestyle.

The hotel also has an all ladies level, gym and a nice looking restaurant.

Would give the hotel an overall rate of 8 out of 10.

Pleasant and comfortable stay experience. Clean and easy accessible to Subway and Airport bus. Near to major shopping areas.

Most taxi drivers seems to know this hotel.

Clean, spacious room, big window view with ledge, modern design, friendly helpful doorman and concierge staff

Noryangjin Fish Market

Noryangjin Station (Subway Line 1) – Exit 1. Seoul station and transfer to Line 1

"This 24-hour, 7 days a week wholesale fish market is not just a cultural attraction, but both a sight for the eyes and a sensation for the taste-buds."

"A wave of raw fish heralds your arrival at Noryangjin Fish market, 6,000 sqm of floow space given over to edible wonders of the deep. Throughout the day, there is on display just about everything that swims, slither, or sits about under water and is edible - plus a few that don't exactly look too taste-tempting. The wholesalers start auctioning of their catches during the early hrs of the morning (1-6am), then follow the sellers to their shops - each one a hive of activity."

Source: tripadvisor.com, 123travelguide.blogspot., timeout.com

Though 24/7, when we reached in mid afternoon, only half the market is opened. BUT it was good enough for us to wander the alleyways for at least half an hr, checking out the prices from several stalls before before picking 2 stalls with good selection, bargained and buy.

"Uh" = fish, Flounder or "gwang uh", Sea bass or "nong uh", Rockfish or "woo ruck"

All prices fluctuate- a lot. On the avg, the prices are around.....

- King crab (Russia): 80,000 won and up for a 1.5 kg crab which can be shared by 2-4 persons

- Or when in season (spring and fall), flower crab or "kkotge": 10,000 to 15,000 won per crab (hairy crabs (털게) and snow crabs (대게) are from North Korea)

- Abalone or "jeonbok": 3-4 small size for 12,000 won

- Oysters or "gool": A dozen for 5,000 won - oysters are very cheap in Korea (if you buy several stuff, ask them to throw in a plate of oysters for free)

- A whole fish will cost anywhere from 20,000 to 60,000 won, on average. Bigger fish command higher prices.

The scallops string in sticks are gigantic. There are several seafood which we have not seen before too. And the octopus we saw in most stalls are HUGE!

We are not adventurous enough to try their live small octopus which are famous in this market. From what I read in others blogs...interesting but eeekks experience & taste.

Below our buys!

We were then brought to a restaurant on 2nd level where the handling/cooking fee is charged @ about 12,000 - 20,000won/dish for 4 pax. We can choose the cooking method for our purchased seafood. (Stir-fried, grilled, steam, raw sashimi)

Live snapper fish, good for 4-6 Pax @ 10,000 won. We ate most raw and some cooked in the boiling "maeoontang" (delicious spicy/Non-Spicy fish stew @ 5,000 won/person).

Settled the kids meal with the yummy soup and rice. Healthy nutritious meal for them.

- Abalone or "jeonbok": 2 big ones for 18,000 won (S$20)
- Giant prawns (bigger than men's palm size)
- A bag of juicy fat lala
- 1 topshell-like item (actually we bought this for the shell)

The seafood goes well with soju (3,000 won per bottle).

In total, it was about S$230 for the whole meal for 4 adults, 3 kids. Quite a touristy price.

My dad liked the experience of the market walk. My mum & dear too but they felt that the food could be cooked tastier...like those we had in Hong Kong SaiKung. One of the best live seafood experience we have. Pricey too but the food tasted real good.

LOTTE MART @ JAMSIL

Next we target for supermarket shopping. Local snack shopping and eating them in hotel is always in my to do list and agenda for overseas trip. An event that all my family members will enjoy. (Esp my girls on food tasting)

We bought O' Market Brownie, crackers, bread, biscuits and the MUST-TRY. Yakult can Banana Milk!!! (A fav among their locals..it's everywhere!)