Sokcho Fish Market

I met a fabulous couple on top of the mountain during my hike at Seoraksan National Park. We kept eachother in good company while making our way through the intermittent cloud cover, back down into the valley. It was a very unique experience, which you can read and see more about in this post, and it was followed by a dinner which was even more so.

Back in the oceanside town of Sokcho, near the North Korean border, we decided the only logical thing for me to eat on my last night in town was some local fish.  I learned on this night, that when you ask for fresh fish at Sokcho harbor, they do take you quite seriously.

Raw fish dishes are called “Saengseon hoe” in Korea, and are similar to Japan’s “sashimi”. In contrast to Japan, however, the Koreans like a little extra reassurance that their fish is fresh, and don’t seem to fancy pre-cut fillets commonly found in sushi joints.

Here, especially at the harborside restaurants, you pick some fish from a tank and then watch as the fish is gutted in front of you, in this case while still alive. Then you carry it on up to the dining room in a plastic bag where it is dressed with all the fixings.

Live fish are gutted for us in Sokcho before being prepared as sashimi or "Saengseon hoe" (2010, P.Lydon)

Saengseon hoe fresh raw fish dish in Sokcho, South Korea, served with soy sauce, wasabi, and various leaves to wrap it all up in (2010, P.Lydon)

Saengseon hoe fresh raw fish dish in Sokcho, South Korea (2010, P.Lydon)

Sokcho Harbor as a storm makes its way in, the restaurant is at the far left side (2010, P.Lydon)

It’s strangely refreshing to see people extremely aware of the food that they eat, at least in the process from the tank to the table. Without some constant reminder, it’s sometimes difficult to put the pieces of your dinner into perspective.

Now, if only the Koreans believed in really fresh beef…

Seoraksan National Park

I decided to get out of the city this past week and headed to Sokcho, a small city a few hours east of Seoul by coach bus.

With the Sea of Japan on one side, and a Seoraksan National Park on the other, Sokcho’s many hotels, motels, and hostels fill with both beach-goers and hikers on most weekends. Fortunately, I was there during the week and was able to enjoy a few calm and beautifully mild partly cloudy days.

The following are some shots from my hike through Seoraksan National Park:

One of the many temple grounds set against a briliant mountain range at Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan National Park, Korea

Seoraksan National Park, Korea

Lush foliage in Seoraksan National Park, Korea

One of the omnipresent rock stackings at Seoraksan National Park, Korea

Halfway up and into the fog at Seoraksan National Park, Korea

A meadow at Seoraksan National Park

Temple at Seoraksan National Park, Korea

Stream at Seoraksan National Park, Korea