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What to eat in Incheon

Written by hand, not generated. Dishes, markets, timing and prices for Incheon.

Eating in Incheon: a local guide

Incheon holds a treaty port, a working harbour and a set of islands in one city. Korean black bean noodles started in its Chinatown, and Soraepogu and Yeonan Pier bring in crab, shrimp and salted seafood as each season turns. Downtown food and harbour food are two different things here.

What people eat here

  • Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) Chinatown

    Began as a cheap noodle sold to dock workers by Shandong Chinese settlers after the port opened. There is a small museum about it in Chinatown.

  • Dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken) Sinpo Market

    Large pieces of fried chicken tossed in a sweet chilli glaze, sold by the tub and meant for sharing.

  • Steamed or stewed blue crab Soraepogu and Yeonan Pier

    Roe-heavy females in spring, meatier males in autumn.

  • Baendaengi muchim (shad salad) Sorae and Ganghwa

    An oily little fish tossed with vegetables and chilli vinegar dressing. The season is short.

  • Jjolmyeon (chewy cold noodles)

    Thick springy noodles in a spicy sauce, said to have come out of a noodle factory in this city.

Where the food is

Chinatown (Bukseong-dong)

A hill road of Chinese restaurants, hollow sugar bread and clay-oven dumplings.

Sinpo International Market

A downtown market for fried chicken, dumplings and street snacks.

Soraepogu Fish Market

A harbour market for salted shrimp, blue crab and prawns; buy at a stall and have it steamed on the spot.

Yeonan Pier Fish Market

A large market focused on live fish and raw fish platters.

Open Port Street (Jung-gu)

Cafes and bakeries set among preserved early-modern buildings.

When to go

  • Blue crab is best as females from April to June and as males from September to November.
  • Salted shrimp is at its best during the autumn harvest.
  • Shad has a short season, roughly May and June.

Worth knowing

  • At the harbour markets a preparation or table charge is usually added on top of the seafood price. Ask for the total first.
  • Chinatown queues are long on weekend afternoons; weekdays or early hours are easier.
  • With the airport and port nearby, more restaurants than usual stay open around the clock.
  • The metro reaches downtown, Sorae and Chinatown, so a car is not necessary.

What it costsBlack bean noodles run KRW 7,000-9,000, a tub of sweet crispy chicken about KRW 20,000, and crab stew around KRW 50,000 for two.

KR

What to Eat in Incheon — Local Food Guide | TastyLog