MERCADOS DEL MUNDO (01-05)

1. La Boqueria Market: Barcelona, Spain

Formally known as the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, this market tops our list at number one. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona and one of the best-known markets in Europe. Located on the popular La Rambla boulevard, the large indoor market sells everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to seafood and spices.

The first mention of the market dates back to 1217, when tables were set up near the old door of the city to sell meat. After years of the area changing its purpose and structure (it was originally an open-air traveling market), in 1914 the metal roof that exists today was constructed. Now, the market is home to vendors selling produce, seafood, meat, cheeses, dried fruit, olives and preserves, and ready-made meals.

Visitors can wander the market indulging their senses and sample the traditional Spanish dish, seafood paella, at various stands throughout the space. The market also has two tapas bars, El Quimand Pinotxo, which are always busy with customers. El Quim offers a variety of tapas as well as their specialty — two fried eggs with your choice of topping, like baby squid, ham, and their signature seasonal item, llanqueta (tiny fish). La Boqueria also has a food school that teaches participants about the origin and history of foods, culinary traditions, and preparations. 

2. Borough Market: London

London’s oldest market, Borough Market, attracts locals and visitors alike. With more than 100 stalls, the market, which can trace its roots back to the 11th century, can be difficult to navigate, but is home to a vast amount of ethnic and specialty foods. Borough Market captures the rich culinary history and diversity of London, offering a wide variety of food, like fine cheeses and olive oils alongside creative dishes like ostrich burgers. The full market is open Wednesday through Saturday, and visitors can mingle with chefs and producers as they sample their way through the various stalls. The market sells fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, dairy, and breads, but if you’re visiting for a meal, there are also many vendors selling prepared foods to choose from. Some notable vendors include Khanom Krok, which sells authentic Thai street food (like mango and coconut sticky rice), and Gujarati Rasoi, which sells British Indian food (like samosas and samosa chaat) made with recipes one of the owners knows by heart.

3. Noryangjin Fish Market: Seoul, South Korea

The Seoul Fish Market is both a wholesale fish market and a cultural attraction. More than 300 tons of seafood from South Korea arrives at this market every day, and visitors who arrive early in the morning can watch the fish auction, which occurs every day except Sundays and holidays. Some of the exotic seafood items, like the giant squid tentacles, are sold for hundreds of dollars. Visitors can also dine on the second floor of the market, which houses about a dozen traditional-style restaurants. Many of these restaurants specialize in raw fish, but some also serve cooked dishes like spicy soup with octopus (sometimes served alive!). Fish are available to be purchased all day at more than 700 individual stalls, and once they've selected a fish (or in some cases, octopus), visitors can be escorted to one of the restaurants, like Jinnam Sushi Restaurant, where their fresh purchase is cut and served as sashimi. The Korean specialty is hwae, sliced raw fish placed on lettuce and topped with raw garlic, green pepper, and a bit of vinegared red pepper paste. 

4. La Vega Central: Santiago, Chile

Off the beaten path of the city’s center, La Vega is a hidden gem in the usually crowded Santiago streets. The market is filled with colorful produce and freshly butchered meats, and is a true reflection of the culture of the country, with vendors offering street food like sopaipillas, deep-fried pumpkin dough, to office workers and laborers on their lunch break. Stands around the market sell local treats like freshly blended juices using seasonal fruits (like strawberries, peaches, and raspberries), and tiny restaurant stalls located on the east side of the market are usually packed with locals lining up for Chilean home-style comfort food. Some of these popular traditional dishes served are cazuela (a light soup made with chicken, pumpkin, corn, potato, soup made with chicken, pumpkin, corn, potato, carrots, and onion) and humitas, mixtures of corn, onion, and lard wrapped in corn husks and boiled or steamed.

5. Sydney Fish Market: Sydney

The Sydney Fish Market is a working fish market and is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, trading both national and international species. It is the second-largest seafood market in terms of variety in the world, after Tokyo. Visitors can pick up fresh seafood to cook at home or enjoy a meal at the market, like fresh sashimi, oysters, or fish and chips from one of the many retailers, like the Fish Market Café. Guests can also participate in a behind-the-scenes tour to learn more about the bustling hot spot. The market is also home to the Sydney Seafood School, which is one of Australia’s largest cooking schools and works to encourage Sydney residents to eat more seafood.