Places & Food

Hoe Picnic by the Han River: Where to Buy Raw Fish, Where to Sit and How to Keep It Safe

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AI-generated raw fish platter and cooler bag on a riverside mat, with white handwritten notes reading Han River picnic and Korean raw fish.

AT A GLANCE

Buy
Noryangjin Fish Market, Seoul (takeaway sliced raw fish)
Eat
Riverside spots such as Nodeulseom or Yeouido Hangang Park (Yeouinaru Station, Line 5)
Ask the seller
Total price, sauces and utensils, advance booking and pickup time
Safety
Cooler bag with ice, keep it cold until eating, avoid raw seafood if in a high-risk group

A “hoe picnic” (회크닉, from hoe, Korean-style raw fish, and picnic) means buying takeaway sliced raw fish and eating it by the Han River instead of at a market restaurant. A September 28, 2026 report describes customers buying takeaway fish at Noryangjin Fish Market, a seafood market in Seoul, and picnicking at Nodeulseom, an island in the Han River. It also describes shops offering picnic sets (Hankyung, in Korean). That is a reported trend, not a claim that everyone in Seoul eats this way. Checked on 2026-10-12.

The hero image is AI-generated and is not a photo of a real shop’s platter or park location.

Choose your spot before buying

The market and your picnic spot are separate stops, so plan the trip between them before buying the fish. Another option is Yeouido Hangang Park, a public park beside the river. “Hangang” is the Korean name for the Han River. Seoul’s directions list Yeouinaru Station on subway Line 5 for the park (Seoul’s park directions). Check whether the area you want to use is open that day, and do not assume every riverside lawn or event space allows the same activities.

What to ask the seller

  • What is the total price for the fish and takeaway packaging?
  • Are sauces and utensils included? Chojang, a sweet, tangy chili sauce often served with raw fish, is one to ask about.
  • Does the order need advance booking, and when can it be collected?

There is no verified set price or booking rule for all shops, so confirm with the seller.

Keep it cold

Cool autumn air does not keep raw fish safe on its own. Pack it in a cooler bag with ice packs, go straight to your spot and keep it chilled until eating. Do not leave it on the mat while waiting for sunset. FDA guidance recommends carrying picnic seafood in a cooler and keeping it cold until serving (FDA seafood guidance).

Raw seafood is not suitable for everyone. The same guidance advises young children, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems to avoid it. A cooked meal can still be part of the same riverside plan.

Clean up

  • Pack a waste bag alongside the mat.
  • Keep leftover food and sauce sealed.
  • Take trash home if suitable bins are unavailable.
  • Do not empty food or sauce into the river or park drains.

Good for / not for

Good for

  • Groups who want a different kind of Han River picnic
  • Anyone who likes raw fish and can keep it cold

Not for

  • Young children, older adults, pregnant people or anyone with a weakened immune system, who are advised to avoid raw seafood

FAQ

Where do I buy the fish? The reported example is Noryangjin Fish Market. Shops set their own prices and booking rules.

Is it safe to eat by the river? Only if you keep it cold in a cooler with ice and eat it promptly.

Where can I sit? Check each riverside area’s current rules and access notices.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-12. Shop prices, collection times and booking policies need checking with the seller. Check the park’s current access notices.