Namdong fish restaurant: icy sashimi at Veteran General Fish Market

Fresh raw fish in Guwol-dong for the first time in ages

Veteran General Fish Market Incheon Guwol Branch (베테랑종합어시장 인천구월점) is somewhere my husband and I used to come eat at all the time when we were dating! There are several branches around Incheon, and it was a raw-fish restaurant we often saw around the places we spent time. I have been to other branches too, but the Guwol branch is the one where I was most satisfied with everything that came with the meal!

One reason we came so often in the first place was that the fish was in great condition and delicious, while the complimentary dishes were varied and tasty too! Until recently, we had been going often to a raw-fish restaurant near our neighborhood, so we had not made it here much—but we came back for fresh raw fish after a long time!

Hours and parking

Unlike most raw-fish restaurants that open in the afternoon, this one operates from 11 AM until 3 AM the following day. (They have lunch specials too!) It feels like the place that opens earliest and stays open latest. Last orders are at 2 AM!

Parking is available in the building, but you need to go around the back to find the parking-lot entrance. Naturally, since we drink, I have never once driven here...

You can tell that the fish tanks are kept very clean. Since so many people come through, turnover is high, so the seafood is always fresh and in good condition. When I see fish tanks that have not been maintained, with water that looks bad or fish floating belly-up, I do not want to go in...

Part of the prep area is open like this, so you can see them preparing the fish, and it looked seriously busy. Good thing we came for a relatively early dinner—the place fills up with people in no time! Delivery orders kept coming in without a break too. The staff are amazing...

Because there is so much included, even two people need to sit at a four-person table. Once you order the spicy fish stew too, the table is completely full 😅 There is also more seating expanded into the back!! That must mean that many people come here.

Red seabream and flounder for two, plus generous included dishes

We usually get flounder and rockfish, but this day we ordered the red seabream and flounder set for two, plus soju and beer! We used to easily finish a portion for three between us, but decided to keep it light~ There was sushi rice too, and we considered adding a bowl of rice and spicy fish stew, then put that idea on hold for a moment. The spicy fish stew here is also... extremely generous in portion!

What I really like is that when you order the spicy fish stew here, you can add noodles or sujebi (hand-torn dough flakes). But I do not think we have ever managed to eat all of that. Why: we are already one step away from bursting before then.

While you wait, you can fry up kimchi pancake. They bring over a scoop of the batter like this, so it is only polite to fry at least one pancake.

The included spread also comes with nicely browned grilled saury,

And looking at the spread, first up is the seaweed soup! It is piping hot, perfect to sip while waiting for the sashimi—and it is not bland at all. Maybe because it is simmered with dried pollack, it has quite a deep flavor.

And this myeongran (salted pollack roe) was so~ my style. That savory flavor when you put it on a wrap..! There is also raw fish mixed with chojang (sweet-tangy chili dipping sauce), and honestly, you are already getting pretty full before the main sashimi arrives.

We could not resist alcohol, so we ordered some. There are lots of drinks, but truly, my husband's unwavering love for Red Turtle beer. We waited while eating the kimchi pancake he fried so well, and before long the sashimi came out too!

Guwol-dong favorite raw-fish restaurant, Veteran General Fish Market red seabream and flounder set for two

Red seabream and flounder on an ice platter

The ice under the plate—now that is someone who knows what they are doing. It made the sashimi genuinely delicious. It needs to be cold for that texture to be even bouncier and tastier!

Oh wow, scales could look this pretty? Red seabream is this beautiful... what am I supposed to do with that color? Now we have no choice but to eat sashimi every Friday. How could we get distracted by anything else when this is so delicious? First we ate it plain, then dipped it in soy sauce, wrapped it in perilla leaf, added more wasabi—it was a proper seafood festival.

The fin section too, like this... I absolutely love its distinctive chewiness and tenderness - ♡♡♡

My feelings for our seafood friends, straight into my mouth—a tender texture that encourages just the right amount of chewing. I think the best dinner before welcoming the weekend is, of course, sashimi.