{
  "id": 15759629,
  "title": "Raw fish replaces fried chicken as Seoul's new Han River picnic craze",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/raw-fish-replaces-fried-chicken-as-seouls-new-han-river-picnic-craze",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-20T15:47:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/trends/20261021/raw-fish-replaces-fried-chicken-as-seouls-new-han-river-picnic-craze"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A novel trend called \"hoe-cnic,\" a fusion of \"hoe,\" the Korean term for raw fish, and \"picnic,\" is rapidly gaining traction along Seoul's Han River. This new culinary craze is replacing fried chicken, a traditional favorite for riverside gatherings. The emergence of raw fish as a popular food choice in Seoul is evident, with enthusiasts embarking on hoe-cnic adventures at various locations such as Yeouido Hangang Park, Nodeulseom Island, and Yanghwa Hangang Park. The typical outing involves purchasing sashimi takeout from Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, followed by a meal featuring raw fish, often accompanied by instant noodles cooked at the riverside and alcoholic beverages. Some participants even rent picnic mats, tables, or tents to create an ideal outdoor ambiance. The trend has also gained traction on social media, with celebrity endorsements and influencers like Ahn Jae-hyun sharing their experiences. Noryangjin vendors have even started offering specialized \"hoe-cnic omakase\" packages.",
  "summary": "com. 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…",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Hoe-cnic\" trend combines raw fish and picnic in Seoul.",
    "Raw fish replaces fried chicken in Han River picnics.",
    "Trend popularized by celebrity endorsements and social media."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Raw fish replaces fried chicken as Seoul's new Han River picnic craze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/raw-fish-replaces-fried-chicken-as-seouls-new-han-river-picnic-craze-15763884",
        "published": "2026-10-20T16:22:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}