Hello! I’m the director of Nolleogal Lab – a research institute dedicated to exploring exciting travel destinations!
Today, I’m excited to share my travel report on Garak Agricultural & Fisheries Wholesale Market, the largest wholesale market for agricultural and marine products in Seoul.
Despite being located in the heart of Seoul, this market offers an experience that feels like you’re at a seaside market. It’s a fantastic place for seafood lovers, and it’s the ideal destination for anyone seeking fresh, affordable seafood. Let’s explore why Garak Market is considered a “hidden gem” for seafood shopping!
Garak Agricultural & Fisheries Wholesale Market
📍 Location: 932 Yangjae-daero, Garak-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
⏰ Operating Hours: Open 24 hours daily
🚫 Closed on Holidays: Closed for Chuseok, Seollal, and other holidays (announced in advance)
🚗 Parking:
- Free for the first 10 minutes
- 1,000 KRW for up to 180 minutes
- 500 KRW for every 10 minutes after that
1. Travel Report
Visiting Garak Market is perfect whether you’re buying seafood for yourself or planning a fun shopping trip with friends. It’s a wholesale market, so prices are quite affordable. However, prices can vary between stores, so it’s essential to compare before making your purchase.
Known as the “Holy Land for Seafood Shopping,” Garak Market offers both freshness and great prices, making it a must-visit destination for seafood enthusiasts!
2. Useful Tips from Nolleogal Lab
Here are some insider tips from the director of Nolleogal Lab to ensure you have the best experience at Garak Market!
- Early Visit: The market opens early in the morning, and to find the best products, it’s ideal to arrive before noon. By lunchtime, many of the best items may already be sold out, so don’t miss the early hours!
- Payment Methods: Most stores at the wholesale market accept card payments and bank transfers. However, don’t expect to use Onnuri gift certificates here (although they are accepted at Danong Mart).
- Danong Mart: If you need to buy groceries, Danong Mart is a great option. It accepts Onnuri gift cards, which makes shopping even more affordable. You can use both card and mobile versions of the Onnuri gift card.
- Parking Tips: Remember to get your parking ticket after shopping. If you don’t ask for it, you might end up paying for parking despite spending a lot inside the market. Ensure you ask for the ticket to avoid extra charges.
3. Why Visit Garak Market?
Have you ever been to Garak Market? Many people visit but rarely explore the wholesale area. As a first-time visitor to the wholesale section, I found it vibrant and full of opportunities for saving money while getting fresh, quality seafood.
The atmosphere is lively, and the prices are often better than regular retail markets. So, if you’re into seafood shopping, I highly recommend visiting the wholesale section next time!
Fresh Seafood at Your Fingertips
From squid and stingray to flounder, the market is stocked with a variety of fresh seafood. Even in the late afternoon, many vendors still offer fresh catches of the day, giving you plenty of options to choose from.
Dried Fish Section
You can also find stores selling dried fish. Watching the drying process in real-time gives you a deeper appreciation of the market’s atmosphere.
Popular Items
The market offers a wide range of products like scallops, shrimp, and king crab. If you didn’t know about Garak Market before, now’s the time to visit!
4. Seafood Deals You Can’t Miss
Seafood Prices
The fresh fish options here are impressive, and choosing which one to buy can take some time since everything looks so fresh and appetizing. The fish is so fresh, you can’t go wrong with any choice!
- Box of Sea Snails: One of our picks was a box of sea snails, which we bought for just 25,000 KRW. It was plenty for 4 people, and the quality was excellent.
- Flounder: Another fantastic pick was the flounder, which varied in price depending on the store. We bought around 90 fish from two different shops for a total of 80,000 KRW. The size was perfect for our needs, and at less than 1,000 KRW per fish, the deal was excellent!
4-1. Danong Mart – A Must-Visit for Affordable Shopping
About Danong Mart
Danong Mart, located in Garak Market, operates 24 hours a day and is well-known for its wide variety of affordable, bulk-sized items. You can shop for groceries, fresh produce, and even snacks. Plus, you can use Onnuri gift cards here, making it an even more cost-effective experience.
Bulk Items at Great Prices
Danong Mart is a great option for purchasing large quantities of items like vegetables, fruits, and fresh produce at competitive prices. I bought some delicious strawberries here, and they were absolutely amazing!
Convenience
One of the best things about Danong Mart is how they package your purchases. After checkout, the staff will neatly pack your items into a box for easy carrying.
5. Nearby Attractions to Explore
After your seafood shopping adventure, here are some nearby attractions you can visit within a 10-minute drive from Garak Market:
6. Director’s Final ThoughtsAfter visiting Garak Market
I can confidently say that it’s one of the best places for seafood shopping in Seoul. Fresh seafood at unbeatable prices? Count me in!I hope you enjoyed learning about this hidden seafood haven. Stay tuned for more exciting travel stories from Nolleogal Lab, and we’ll see you in the next post!
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