Dahing Seafood Market

In the preparation of Lunar New Year 2014, the importance of attaining two whole fishes (including the head) is vital which signifies abundance, thereby having fish for dinner is believed to ensure an auspicious beginning for the New Year. As an inexperienced cook, I did not shop here alone, together with my Mom we asked three whole fishes to be de-​scaled and cleaned but intact complete with the head. All seafood sit on wooden stalls filled with ice. Weighing a total of approx. 6 lbs., one would never be able to find a good catch from a typical non-​Asian supermarket.
I sadly miss the fish markets of Hong Kong where customers can point to a tank and select live fishes of their choice where it gets killed, de-​scaled, and cleaned in your presence (yes, it’s that fresh).
Bargaining is common but the staff at Dahing would not lower the price for the expensive seafood as crabs and lobsters. With a budget we were happy to patronize Dahing at cheap prices of $ 3.99 per lb., $ 2.99 per lb. There are no walls or doors, Dahing makes the most of their space including stands on the sidewalk. Note: Patrons mind your step, despite rubber mats in place it is very wet and messy floor from the wooden stalls filled with ice.

A little Chinatown seafood market, located right off old Little Italy.
Stall here is filled with seafood on ice, and if you want something, just point at the guy in the long heavy water slicker, and he’ll get it right up for you to the guys who will de-​scale, and clean out your fish. If you want frogs, turtles, or other, they can carve them up for you, too.
Crabs and lobsters here are decently cheap; as of 5/​2009, they were the cheapest in the Chinatown area per pound by a dozen cents compared to other groceries and seafood stalls in the area. And they know it, too, they’ll not bargain too much on that. Live fish are fewer recently; I think they realize the market is smaller for the more expensive fish, or the catches just aren’t as good anymore.
You can bargain on the bigger fish or orders, though. Watch your step in here… it’s slick and messy. Best to bring something you don’t mind ruined (footwear-​wise) and avoid sandals/​heels/​flip-​flops if you want to go in here. Make sure you fully inspect anything they give you.
Cash only here, too.