Hanasaki King Crab Appears at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market... Prices for Flounder and Red Sea Bream Rise Ahead of Holidays

In the early morning of September 17, 2026, one week before the Chuseok holiday, seafood prices at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market are fluctuating in anticipation of holiday demand. In particular, along with the 'Hanasaki (thorny king crab)' which has appeared for the first time in a year, there is a clear upward trend in the prices of major species such as flounder and red sea bream. According to a FOODBOX video, consumers need to be careful as price differences between the auction house and retail stores are occurring by item ahead of the holiday.

Hanasaki King Crab and King Crab Price Status Appearing After 1 Year

The most eye-catching item in this auction is the 'Hanasaki (thorny king crab)' which has been stocked for the first time in about a year. As the name suggests, the Hanasaki in the video has many thorns on its surface, requiring caution when handling it by hand, and its size is relatively small, around 1.5kg, compared to typical king crabs. It is characterized by a uniquely chewy texture, and its price was also mentioned as a special option.

Looking at the overall market prices for crustaceans, in the case of king crabs, the Red King Crab is forming the highest price range. Grade A king crabs are traded at the 89,000 won level, while the cost-effective line is maintaining a range of 55,000 won to 65,000 won. Brown king crabs are being supplied mainly focusing on the legs and are being sold in the 40,000 won range per 1kg. Snow crabs are currently in a state of very low supply, with prices staying almost stagnant at the 60,000 won level. As the holiday approaches, it is projected that crustacean prices will rise more than they are now next week.

Flounder and Red Sea Bream Rising Ahead of Holidays... Gizzard Shad Lacks Supply

The upward trend in prices for major live fish is also clear. Flounder prices are rising gradually due to a supply shortage, and there is a possibility that prices could rise to the 40,000 won per 1kg level for the 3kg size at the time of the holiday. Red sea bream prices also rose slightly compared to last week, and the prices of both farmed and wild red sea bream are maintaining very high levels. Large Amberjacks between 3kg and 6kg have arrived in good size, but prices are continuing to trend upward.

On the other hand, there are temperature differences depending on the item. For Kuruma prawns, the price has dropped slightly, and they are being traded at a good price of around 10,000 won per piece, and sweet shrimp prices are also stable. Skrey fish, which are cost-effective for grilling, were also mentioned. However, in the case of gizzard shad, there is still a lack of supply, and the price of live gizzard shad within the Noryangjin market is being traded at high prices, exceeding 40,000 won per 1kg. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the supply of wild yellowtail has increased and the price of Spanish mackerel has become somewhat expensive.

Chuseok Auction House Holiday Schedule and Seafood Purchasing Tips

The operating schedule of the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market auction house during the holiday period must be checked. While auctions will proceed on Sunday, September 21, the auction house will be closed from Friday, September 25 to Monday, September 28. However, retail stores and restaurants operate normally without holidays, so this should be noted when using them on the day of the holiday.

When purchasing seafood, the condition of each item must be examined in detail. In the case of blue crabs, there is a large price difference depending on the grade, such as high-quality, medium-quality, or low-quality, so it is better to check the condition directly rather than simply looking at the price. Products sold in small portions at retail stores are convenient as they are selected focusing on high-quality items, but the price may be somewhat higher than buying in large quantities directly at the auction house. For holiday gifts such as abalone, if you reserve in advance, you can use various services such as oxygen packaging. Additionally, for highly popular items like bigfin reef squid, reservations may close quickly through band notices, so caution is required.