Noryangjin is not the most exciting place in Korea, but it sure is the best place to experience Korean people’s lives. Through the tour, you’ll get to feel how it is like to be a Korean.
Noryanjin station is close to Yeouido and Han river. The name ‘Noryanjin‘ comes from its past when it was once a home for many white herons. A village formed around the Noryanjin ferry also called ‘Nodlenaru‘. A passenger train was in operation until 2005, currently a normal train is available.
Walking out of the exit of Noryangjin station, the unique Noryangjin scenery will instantly catch your eye. Dozens and dozens of private educational institutes, food vendors filling the streets, the fish market with its distinct ocean smell, and most of all, the people.
Let’s dive right into the passionate Korean life!
1. Noryanjin Station Hakwon street and Cupbab street
Along the road of Noryangjin station exit-3 is a line of private educational institutes, aka hakwons. It is the most hakwon-populated area in Korea. The reason for the abundance of hakwons is linked directly to the past Korean government’s population control. In the late 1970s, The government moved all the hakwons to the outside the area surrounded by four gates of Seoul in an attempt to control the overpopulation of Gangbuk area. Most of them moved into the Noryangjin area, resulting in a mass increase in student population, which in turn increased the number of hakwons. Alongside the Hakwon street are many street food vendors, naming the street ‘Noryangjin cupbab street’. Cupbab street formed for its convenience and accessibility, which attracted the massive student population in the area. The foods on the street are much cheaper than the other areas of Seoul. You can buy 3-4 kinds of foods with only 10,000won(about 10usd), so this area is also popular for many food tourists.
2. Noryangjin fish market
The Noryangjin fish market is the worlds biggest. Originally it started near the Seoul station as ‘Gyeongseong aquatic products’, it was after 71 years that it was rebuilt at the current location. Various marine products gather in this market, soon to be auctioned and shipped to the markets across the country. The market was operated by 3 private companies until the January of 2002 when it was taken over by Suhyup (National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives). Starting from the December of 2012 modernization project took place, resulting in a massive community center and many modernized buildings. The Noryangjin fish market was officially listed as one of the Seoul future heritage in 2013 for its economic importance, as it can supply fresh marine products quickly to Seoul.
You’ll be the witness of the changing Noryangjin fish market, walking alongside the mixture of new modernized buildings and preserved old buildings. You can also purchase many kinds of seafood such as sea urchin, pinna, shrimp, jumbo shrimp, king crab, lobster, sea cucumber. If you wanna try something rare, then you should try sliced raw octopus and seafood maeuntang(spicy fish soup).
Recommended lunch: To fully experience Korean life, you’ll have to drink like a Korean. Sliced raw fish goes really well with soju and beer.
3. Sayuksin park
There is a park at the 15-minute walking distance from Noryangjin station. Sayuksin park is built to Commemorate the loyalty of Six martyred ministers. In the park is a tangible cultural asset, the tomb of Sayuksin(Six martyred ministers). Sayuksin were six ministers of the Joseon Dynasty who were executed by King Sejo in 1456 for plotting to assassinate him and restore the former king Danjong to the throne.
King Sukjong, to commemorate Sayuksin‘s loyalty, built Minjeol temple in the near mountain in 1681. The park has the total area of 49,40㎡ with over 15,000 trees of 33 kinds.
Cherry blossom fully blooms in the spring, and the area remains somewhat cooler than the other area, so many visitors come to rest and have a family time.
Join our food tour at Noryangjin Fish Market!
Read another article: Noryangjin Fish Market. Seafood Heaven.
