A small fishing village in Busan, Yeonhwari offers a somewhat unusual breakfast experience. At small shops, customers pick the seafood they want, then the owner carves it up on the spot and serves it in an eating area behind the shop.
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One-woman seafood shops —
Each tiny hoe-jip (Korean sashimi restaurant) is run by just one woman, who does all the cooking, serving and cleaning.
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Humble setting —
Although eating areas are stark, they're clean and quiet and come with wonderful views.
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Real-life mermaids —
Haenyeo ("sea women") begin diving at around 5 a.m. each day. Their catches will appear on menus in Yeonhwari within hours.
courtesy Kijanggun maritime affairs division
More fish —
Dried fish for sale just across the street from the rows of hoe-jip.
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Rook lighthouse —
Quirky lighthouses are a trademark of the Busan region.
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Yes, that's a baby bottle —
Busan's Baby Bottle Lighthouse was built to symbolize and encourage childbirth. South Korea's birth rate is among the lowest in the developed world (1.2 in 2010).
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Thick green porridge —
Junbokjuk (abalone porridge) goes best with kimchi and barley tea.
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Next course, live octopus —
San nakji (live octopus) is a local delicacy. The tentacles writhe on the plate even after being chopped up.
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Busan's best raw eats —
Conch and live octopus are served with their respective sauces -- gochujang (red pepper paste) and salty sesame oil.
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Wonderful views —
Yeonhwari's small seafood shacks have no windows -- you get full views like this one.
