Jungang Galchi 중앙갈치, Seoul – Braised Cutlassfish in Namdaemun Market Hairtail Alley

21 June 2024 Gwendolyn

Namdaemum Market has a Hairtail Alley where numerous restaurants selling braised hairtail occupy the narrow lane.

One of the most popular hairtail restaurants is Jungang Galchi 중앙갈치. It is easily recognizable from the long queue. The ahjumma can also be seen cooking stews and steamed eggs outside the restaurant.

English menu is available here.

Food is served fast upon order.

The menu offers the signature Spicy Braised Cutlassfish with Steamed Rice KRW 12000 and Spicy Braised Mackerel with Steamed Rice KRW 12000 alongside dishes like Grilled Mackerel KRW 10000, Grilled Half-dried Pollack with Spicy Sauce KRW 10000 and Fermented Soybean Stew KRW 7000.

Menu

The Spicy Braised Cutlassfish is served with a bowl of rice, steamed egg, fried fish, seaweed sheets, dipping sauce and banchan.

It is quite a spread. The stew is rich and tasty, and not really spicy. The fish is fleshy but has lots of small bones. There are also some other ingredients cooked together inside.

The fried fish has a nice crisp on the surface and is tender within. It also allows you to taste the fish without any sauce.

The steamed egg tastes amazing. It is soft and custardy.

I would return again for this.