Jumunjin Beach Resort, Fish Market and Silbi Saengseon Gui Seafood Experience in Gangneung Gangwon Province near Seoul!

Chances are you've already heard of Nami Island in Korea! It is reachable from Seoul and is part of Gangwon province. Chances are too that you have already heard of Busan with its Jagalchi Market and Haeundae Beach. Did you know that there's a popular destination for locals (reachable from Seoul) like that in Gangwon province too since it goes all the way to the east coast of Korea?! This is the charming city of Gangneung - a winter wonderland and summer (actually all-season) escape closest to Seoul ;) As of now, you can take a bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal but soon the KTX (less than 2 hours ride) will be finished in time for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics! Check out the quiet and clean Jumunjin market of Gangneung and our Silbi Saengseong Gui experience below!

I was very thankful for this simple yet wonderful first stop in Gangneung. Good thing our group fits a mini coaster or else having this local experience would not be possible. Our guide took us to Silbi Saengseon Gui seafood restaurant 실비생선구이near the Jumunjin Fish Market!

 

 

 

 

Our meal was 12,000 won per person and it already includes yummy (but a bit spicy) doenjangjigae, banchan and at least 3 kinds of fish like herring, mackerel and red fish.

 

 

You see that brownish radish dish next to me? I had like so many rounds haha. I can't believe it's just soybean sauce, sugar and vinegar...

 

 

Best eaten like so with a slurp of that soybean soup =)

 

 

 

 

We had time to explore a bit of the market the next day. You can buy mostly dried goods to take home from here!

 

 

There are dried anchovies and pollack of all sizes that you can use for soup stock, pika-pika, etc. They also have like dried fish strips, crustaceans and even sting ray.

 

 

 

 

 

I was pretty amazed with the taste of this angler fish so I bought smaller packs for 5000 won... =) Most of the prices are 10000 won for a big pack, cheap already according to our guide. This market is a sure winner if you've been planning to try cooking Korean cuisine, esp. soups I think =) Make sure to wrap them really well or the smell might linger in your luggage hahaha.

 

One thing I would advise, since foreign tourists don't make it much to Gangneung is to invite a local to go with you to translate and show you around. They don't speak English here, only Korean. We turned somewhere and got to the wet market part! This lady was selling prawns and lots of fugu (blowfish!).

 

 

 

Then we saw huge crabs... Locals shop here so the storekeepers prefer that you always clear the way.

 

 

 

And you have to be careful on where you step because the floor is mostly wet but good news is it is not smelly at all and it felt very cool inside like there's an airconditioner. Most of the seafood were also alive and crawling in tanks or in plangganas like this.. There's an octopus trying to escape..

 

 

If I'm not mistaken, this is matangbaka or big-eyed scad fish. Just outside the market, I believe they can cook and grill the seafood for you and you can eat Hue (Korean sashimi) =)

 

 

For accommodations, we stayed at the Jumunjin Resort 주문진 리조트에 (around 10 minutes away from the market by car). If you're feeling really experimental then perhaps you can try cooking fish in the kitchen of the condo!

 

 

 

 

 

I love that it has a converted train car restaurant used for the breakfast and that it is a beachfront hotel! It's almost summertime in Korea (July to August) so they might probably already open their pool and water facilities soon. This is Jumunjin Beach. There are many other beaches like the Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung.

 

 

 

Within the hotel grounds is a pine tree area, which I love =) After just one day, I could already get why the locals love it here with the mountains and sea both nearby. There's even a lake with cherry blossoms (in my next post) and I heard it's near the Guryong waterfall...

This tour of Gangwon Province was made possible by the Korea Tourism Organization and the cities of Gangneung and PyeongChang!

Hotel Details:

Jumunjin Hotel Resort Gangneung  주문진 리조트에 강릉 

033-6617400

Website
How to Get to Jumunjin Beach in Gangneung

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