Terminal Pesquero de Santiago

The Terminal Pesquero de Santiago is a wholesale seafood marketplace in Lo Espejo with over a hundred shops and retail counters selling fresh fish and shellfish from the Pacific. Different sections are organized by product type so buyers can navigate easily to what they need.

The facility was established in 1996 through Japanese government support and transitioned to private management in 2004. This shift marked a turning point in how Chile organized its fish wholesale distribution.

The market connects Santiago residents directly with fishing communities, keeping alive how people here have traditionally sourced and valued seafood. You see local chefs and home cooks shopping daily, maintaining customs around fish preparation and consumption.

The market operates most actively in early morning hours when wholesalers and restaurant kitchens do their shopping, so arriving early gives you the best chance to see the action. By afternoon, activity slows significantly, making morning the ideal time to experience the real energy.

Many vendors offer preparation services where they portion and prepare fresh catches exactly as customers request. This saves time for chefs and also helps less experienced buyers feel confident buying more exotic types.