Indulge seafood cravings at Seoul fish market

It’s the summer travel season, and many are asking me about what to do and see in Korea.

My favorite place to take my friends is to visit the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market. Many compare it to Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. It’s the biggest fish market in Seoul and you can find almost anything edible from the ocean there. But for islanders the thing to look for is live king crab or snow crab.

There are over 700 vendors in two rows hundreds of yards long. You will see tanks full of king crab, snow crab, hairy crab, blue crab and other seafood. The vendors will sell seafood by the kilogram. For Americans, one kilogram equals 2.2 pounds. The vendor will help you select the meatiest crab and weigh it. Prices will range by the season, but a single king crab will cost $80 to $120 and feed three to four of the hungriest kamaaina.

There is always some negotiation wiggle room depending on how much you buy. You can attempt to haggle a little or ask for more, and the vendor might throw in a live abalone or live squid.

After you purchase your seafood, there is a line of restaurants on the second floor to prepare your meal. Depending on how much was purchased downstairs, preparation will often cost $40 to $70, with all the trimmings. Crab is prepared only steamed and cracked. The sweet meat in the knuckles and merus section of the leg is unforgettable.

THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES

“Breezy Love”
Episodes 6 and 7

>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Keumshil loans Cheongja money in hopes of getting Jango and Heera together. Jango rescues Heera from danger. Mipoong moves into Jango’s house. Keumshil misunderstands the nature of Jango and Mipoong’s relationship. Jangsoo runs into Juri’s husband.

>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Keumshil wants Youngae’s family to move out of her house. Mipoong sees Jango and Heera together but tries not to let it get to her. Heera discovers Jango’s true feelings. She ends up getting hospitalized with Jangsoo. Jango can’t help but be drawn to Mipoong.

“My Sassy Girl”
Episodes 9-12

>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: The princess keeps silent about why she leaves the palace. Thus, she is confined to her quarters. Kyun-woo, concerned after hearing she isn’t eating, heads for the palace. A mysterious letter is delivered to the princess’s quarters.

>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: The princess is chased by unknown men in the marketplace. Kyun-woo rescues her. Relieved to see him, she faints in his arms. He takes her to his residence. Ki-joon searches desperately for the princess.

“Love in Trouble”
Episodes 25-28

>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Ji-wook blows up at seeing Hyun-soo, who doesn’t feel an ounce of guilt. Enraged at his attitude, Ji-wook plans to take revenge. Bong-hee hugs him tightly in support.

>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-soo gets into an accident while being chased and ends up in the hospital unconscious. Ji-wook and Yoo-jung are accused of coercion. Ji-wook announces that he and Bong-hee are dating. They go on a date and run into someone.

“Band of Sisters”
Episodes 19 and 20

>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Se-joon drags Ha-ri to the staircase and professes his love for her. Chairman Goo receives a call that the stalker has been caught. But the stalker is in critical condition from an accident.

>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Dal-hee sees Se-joon professing his love for Ha-ri. She speaks ill of Ha-ri to Kye-hwa. The stalker informs Chairman Goo who hired him.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD-TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.