Noryangjin Fish Market!

Some things in life are just too fun and too good to pass up.  If you ever get a chance to go to Noryangjin Fish Market you should go -  even if it is just to look.  If you are worried about the smell don't go on a blazin' hot day.  Go during the winter, or just suck it up and deal with it, wear a nose plug or a face mask - they are all the rage here.  After the first 10 minutes you don't notice the smell anyway.   

    Last Sunday we had friends over for dinner, but first we met early to go pick out our dinner at the fish market:

Don't worry, we didn't have that, I don't even know what that is!  However those mussels in the bottom left corner look pretty scrumptious!

The fish market is filled with rows and rows of unidentifiablefish and shellfish.  See those big mussel looking things in the picture below?  When you open that shell it looks like a HUGE scallop (see just below the shells, that is what they look like out of their shells) .  We tried them last time we lived here thinking they were going to be the BOMB DIGGITY, they were anything but!  All tough and chewy.  I'll stay away from them this time.  

However I plan to buy these prawns one of these days and pop them on the grill.  Wanna come over?  I wonder how long you cook these bad boys....I'll have to do a little research.

What the what, what?!?  I so wouldn't be able to hang with Andrew Zimmerman.  Does anyone know what these are and how to cook them?  Not that I really want to try.

Long fish, fat fish, puffer fish, flat fish.  OH, and fish guts.....!

HOLY OCTOPI Batman!  Check out the head at the bottom of this frame!  It was bigger than 2 of mine! 

Fish mongering on the floor.  I know some of my stateside friends and having heart failure about now. 

And finally, our DINNER!  FRESH TUNA STEAKS!

2.5 kilos for 35,000 won!  Oh BABY!  In English that is - 5.5 pounds for $30.79

After buying our dinner we headed out to the fresh fruit and vegetable alley, but our first stop was the drink lady.  (I was a little sad she didn't remember me - I bet if we had the kids with us she would have...) When in Korea, do as the Koreans do....10:30AM and it is time for a little brewsky. (Plus it was after 5PM in the states.)

One happy man.  Beer in one hand, coffee in the other.  Life is good.  :o)

We finished our trip off buying a few veggies...

and dried fish....
(not really)

And of course no trip is complete without Hubby daring someone to do something.  This time he dared Brent to stick his hand in the live sardine bowl, and of course Brent complied....BOYS!

Cooked to perfection...

I made Hubby's favorite - Pan Seared Tuna with Avacado which was a big hit with our guest! 
(Click the link/red words for the recipe)

Trish's Tips for the fish market:
1)  If you go and plan to buy, ask a Korean friend (or go to Kohome and ask one of the workers) and ask them to teach you how to say in Hangul the fish you are looking.  Also ask them to write it down in Hangul for you.  This way you can look for the stalls that have the same word as what you are looking for, or you can show it to one of the many fish mongers at the fish market.  This will make your trip go more smoothly! 
2) Take won
3) Wear rain boots
4) Take your camera
5) Take your kids!
6) Be open minded and HAVE FUN!