Raw fish replaces fried chicken as Seoul's new Han River picnic craze

Hoe-cnic, a raw-fish picnic trend, is gaining popularity along the Han River in Seoul. Participants buy takeout sashimi at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market and eat it at riverside parks with ramen or alcohol. The trend appeals to younger consumers through its novelty and perceived health benefits, but cold weather, wind and alcohol can create safety risks.

Popular hoe-cnic destinations include Yeouido Hangang Park, Nodeulseom Island and Yanghwa Hangang Park.

Noryangjin vendors have introduced special offerings such as hoe-cnic omakase sets.

Raw fish is described as high-protein, low-fat and low-calorie, with nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, taurine and vitamins.

The trend is attracting more customers in their 20s and 30s to Noryangjin, which was traditionally frequented by people in their 40s and 50s.

Alcohol can create a sensation of warmth while lowering the body’s core temperature, increasing the risk of hypothermia in cold outdoor conditions.

Published Oct 21, 2026 12:10 am KST

People are increasingly enjoying “hoe-cnic,” a picnic featuring takeout raw fish by the Han River. Captured from Instagram account 46000g

A new trend known as “hoe-cnic” — a combination of "hoe," the Korean word for raw fish, and picnic — is gaining popularity along the Han River. Replacing fried chicken, long a staple of riverside outings, fresh raw fish is emerging as a new food trend in Seoul.

A typical hoe-cnic outing begins with picking up takeout sashimi at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market before heading to destinations such as Yeouido Hangang Park, Nodeulseom Island or Yanghwa Hangang Park. Participants often pair their raw fish with instant noodles cooked at the riverside or alcoholic drinks, and some rent picnic mats, tables or tents to create the perfect outdoor setting.

Online content featuring people enjoying takeout sashimi and raw shrimp by the river is also spreading rapidly across social media. Celebrities and influencers, including actor Ahn Jae-hyun, have been sharing their outings on their own channels.

Some vendors in Noryangjin have even introduced special offerings for the trend, including “hoe-cnic omakase” sets. The trend is also said to be bringing younger customers to the market, with more people in their 20s and 30s visiting a place traditionally frequented by those in their 40s and 50s.

What makes hoe-cnic so appealing? One major draw is the novelty of the experience. Eating sashimi while enjoying an ocean view may be nothing unusual, but having a raw fish picnic at a riverside park in the heart of Seoul offers a different experience. Increasingly, consumers are spending their time and money on memorable experiences, making novelty a powerful driver of consumption.

The growing emphasis on healthy eating is another factor behind the trend. Compared with familiar picnic favorites such as fried chicken and pizza, raw fish is generally a high-protein, low-fat and low-calorie food. It also contains beneficial nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, taurine and vitamins.

For people in their 20s and 30s who embrace “healthy pleasure” — the pursuit of wellness in enjoyable ways — hoe-cnic offers an appealing combination of a distinctive culinary experience and health-conscious eating.

However, an outdoor sashimi picnic comes with its share of challenges. Weather is a major consideration, as rain and strong winds can quickly spoil the experience. Social media is full of posts documenting what users call the “worst-case scenario” of hoe-cnic outings. Some recount how strong gusts blew their sashimi away or how their ramen quickly went cold, while others say they had to pack up and leave in less than an hour.

The recent sharp drop in temperatures is another factor to consider. Eating chilled raw fish and drinking alcohol outdoors in cold, windy conditions can put more strain on the body than expected. Those planning a hoe-cnic outing should dress warmly and, if possible, choose a time when the sun is out.

Alcohol also warrants particular caution, as wine and soju are common accompaniments to these picnics, especially as temperatures fall. Drinking in cold weather may create a sensation of warmth, but it does not actually raise body temperature. On the contrary, alcohol can lower the body's core temperature.

People who mistake this sensation for genuine warmth may dress too lightly or remain outdoors for extended periods, increasing their risk of hypothermia. Taking precautions against the cold is therefore essential for anyone planning to enjoy a sashimi picnic by the Han River.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

生鱼片野餐（Hoe-cnic）这种新潮流正在首尔汉江沿岸兴起。参与者在鹭梁津水产批发市场购买外带生鱼片，然后在河边公园享用，佐以拉面或酒水。这种潮流凭借其新颖性和人们认为的健康益处吸引了年轻消费者，但寒冷的天气、大风和酒精都可能带来安全隐患。

热门的休闲旅游目的地包括汝矣岛汉江公园、诺德岛和杨花汉江公园。

鹭梁津的商家推出了特色菜品，例如日式料理套餐。

生鱼被描述为高蛋白、低脂肪、低热量，富含omega-3脂肪酸、牛磺酸和维生素等营养物质。

这一趋势正在吸引更多 20 多岁和 30 多岁的顾客前往鹭梁津，而鹭梁津传统上是 40 多岁和 50 多岁的人经常光顾的地方。

酒精会产生温暖的感觉，但同时会降低身体的核心温度，从而增加在寒冷的户外环境中发生体温过低的风险。

发布于2026年10月21日凌晨12:10（韩国标准时间）

人们越来越喜欢“hoe-cnic”，也就是在汉江边享用外带生鱼片的野餐。图片来自Instagram账号46000g

一种名为“生鱼野餐”（hoe-cnic）的新潮流正在汉江沿岸兴起。“生鱼”一词由韩语中“生鱼”和“野餐”两个词组合而成。这种新潮流取代了长期以来一直是汉江野餐主食的炸鸡，成为首尔新的美食风尚。

典型的韩式野餐（hoe-cnic）活动以在鹭梁津水产批发市场购买外卖生鱼片开始，然后前往汝矣岛汉江公园、诺德岛或杨花汉江公园等目的地。参与者通常会将生鱼片与在河边煮的方便面或酒水搭配食用，有些人还会租用野餐垫、桌子或帐篷，打造完美的户外用餐环境。

人们在河边享用外卖刺身和生虾的视频也在社交媒体上迅速传播。包括演员安宰贤在内的名人和网红们也在自己的社交媒体账号上分享了他们的河边用餐体验。

鹭梁津的一些商家甚至针对这一趋势推出了特色菜品，例如“日式料理套餐”。据说，这一趋势也吸引了更多年轻顾客，越来越多二三十岁的人光顾这个以往主要由四五十岁人群光顾的地方。

是什么让“野餐野餐”（hoe-cnic）如此吸引人？其中一个主要吸引力在于其新颖的体验。一边欣赏海景一边享用生鱼片或许并不稀奇，但在首尔市中心的河畔公园里享用生鱼野餐却别有一番滋味。如今，消费者越来越愿意将时间和金钱投入到令人难忘的体验中，这使得“新奇感”成为推动消费的强大动力。

人们越来越重视健康饮食，这也是推动这一趋势的另一个因素。与炸鸡和披萨等常见的野餐食品相比，生鱼通常是一种高蛋白、低脂肪、低热量的食物。它还含有丰富的营养成分，包括omega-3脂肪酸、牛磺酸和多种维生素。

对于 20 多岁和 30 多岁、崇尚“健康快乐”（以愉快的方式追求健康）的人来说，hoe-cnic 提供了一种独特的烹饪体验和健康饮食的诱人组合。

然而，户外生鱼片野餐也并非一帆风顺。天气是主要考虑因素，因为雨水和强风会迅速破坏用餐体验。社交媒体上充斥着用户记录的所谓“最糟糕的野餐经历”的帖子。有人讲述了强风如何吹走他们的生鱼片，或者他们的拉面如何迅速变凉，还有人说他们不得不在不到一个小时的时间里收拾东西离开。

近期气温骤降是另一个需要考虑的因素。在寒冷多风的户外食用冰镇生鱼片和饮酒，对身体的负担可能比预期更大。计划进行户外野餐的人应该注意保暖，并尽可能选择阳光明媚的时间。

饮酒也需格外注意，因为葡萄酒和烧酒是野餐时常见的饮品，尤其是在气温下降的时候。在寒冷的天气里饮酒可能会让人感觉温暖，但实际上并不会升高体温。相反，酒精会降低人体的核心温度。

人们如果将这种感觉误认为是真正的温暖，可能会穿得太少或在户外停留太久，从而增加体温过低的风险。因此，对于任何计划在汉江边享用生鱼片野餐的人来说，做好防寒措施至关重要。

本文来自韩国顶级医疗保健门户网站 Kormedi.com，由人工智能生成系统翻译，并由《韩国时报》编辑。