Millak Town Raw Fish Centre

Lonely Planet review

This collection of raw-fish shops provides a rustic dining experience. Located at the northeast end of Gwang·an beach, purchase a fish for around and walk upstairs to eat; the woman selling you the fish will indicate which floor. Inside the seating area, your fish will be prepared and served for a per person fee.

Raw fish is called hoe (회; sounds similar to 'when' without the 'n'). A typical raw-fish dinner starts with a small banquet of appetisers including raw baby octopus still wiggling on the plate. A platter of thinly sliced raw fish without rice is the main course. Fish is dipped into a saucer of chogochujang (초고추장), a watery red-pepper sauce, or a dish of soy sauce (간장) mixed with wasabi (와사비). The meal is customarily finished with rice and a boiling of pot of mae·untang (매운탕; spicy fish soup). Most Koreans love raw fish, which they say has a delicate taste and smooth texture. Western travellers may find the taste bland with a slightly tough, almost rubbery texture. A small platter starting at around ₩400 is rarely sufficient to satisfy a pair of raw-fish aficionados. Japanese sushi is also popular, which is also called chobap (초밥) or the longer, more accurate name saengseon chobap (생선 초밥). Like most special outings in Korea, raw fish is best accompanied with soju (the local firewater - Korea's national hootch and leading cause of headaches).