Market food · Namdaemun & Seoul Station
Huirak Galchi
희락갈치
Korea time, from recent reviews. Hours may differ on holidays.
The best-known restaurant in Namdaemun Market's galchi (cutlassfish) alley, open about 50 years. Thick pieces of cutlassfish are braised with radish in a spicy red sauce and brought to the table in a little pot, along with fluffy steamed egg and fried fish on the side.
서울특별시 중구 남대문시장길 22-6
How it works here
🥢 How Korean restaurants usually workWaiting
Weekend lunchtimes mean about 20 to 30 minutes in line; other times can be 5 minutes or none. You give your order while you wait, so the food comes soon after you sit down.· 3 reviews
What to order
- Braised cutlassfish (galchi jorim)갈치조림
The signature: thick pieces of fish and radish in a spicy, savory sauce. Ordered per person.
- Steamed egg (gyeran-jjim)계란찜
Soft and mild, the classic partner to the spicy fish.
- Grilled fish생선구이
Mackerel and other fish, if you prefer something not spicy.
- Cheonggukjang (strong soybean stew)청국장
How much to order
- 👤 1One serving of braised cutlassfish with rice. Solo diners are welcome.
- 👤 2Braised cutlassfish for two, plus a steamed egg.
- 👤 3-4Braised cutlassfish for everyone, a steamed egg, and a grilled mackerel to share.
How to eat it
- 1Spoon the sauce and soft radish over your rice and mix it in. Rice with the sauce is the heart of galchi jorim.· 2 reviews
Insider tips
- Order the steamed egg. Reviewers call it almost a rule here, because it cools your mouth between spicy bites.· 3 reviews
Why it's famous
A family-run restaurant in the market's cutlassfish alley for about 50 years.· 3 reviews
- Local favoriteUsually named first among the cutlassfish alley restaurants, and featured on TV and on TV host Choi Hwa-jung's YouTube channel.· 3 reviews
Good to know
- Monday to Saturday 07:00 to 20:30. Closed on Sundays.· 3 reviews
- In the cutlassfish alley (galchi jorim golmok) inside Namdaemun Market, a short walk from Hoehyeon Station exit 5 (Line 4).· 3 reviews
Where this comes from (19 reviews)
Summarized in our own words from Korean diners' blog reviews; each fact is backed by at least two reviews. Last checked 2026-10-23.
- 2026-10-23 blog.naver.com/flxmf285/224450965296
- 2026-10-22 blog.naver.com/osi_log/224450231178
- 2026-10-21 blog.naver.com/sulhahaha/224448581411
- 2026-10-21 blog.naver.com/ggaggam2/224447052500
- 2026-10-20 blog.naver.com/rirahome-/224447982759
- 2026-10-20 blog.naver.com/leear98/224446923242
- 2026-10-20 blog.naver.com/jojinho0917/224447493000
- 2026-10-20 blog.naver.com/yozumigo/224447878522
- 2026-10-20 blog.naver.com/ivnvs3788/224447348890
- 2026-10-20 blog.naver.com/rosegate68/224448256554
- 2026-10-19 blog.naver.com/youkcando_eat/224447003162
- 2026-10-19 blog.naver.com/tnwl80/224446819521
- 2026-10-19 blog.naver.com/iiioopp890/224446505914
- 2026-10-19 blog.naver.com/o__o_v0404/224447066947
- 2026-10-18 blog.naver.com/rhqhr_777/224445385163
- 2026-10-17 blog.naver.com/khn2357/224445020199
- 2026-10-16 blog.naver.com/90-_-83/224443772049
- 2026-10-16 blog.naver.com/nnjjoo__/224443431287
- 2026-10-16 blog.naver.com/kdreams777/224444155608