Back

What to eat in South Gyeongsang

Written by hand, not generated. Dishes, markets, timing and prices for South Gyeongsang.

Eating in South Gyeongsang: a local guide

Gyeongnam holds south coast fishing towns and inland cities in the same province. Seafood in Tongyeong and Geoje, cold noodles and bibimbap in Jinju, braised monkfish in Masan — and a particularly developed culture of drinking spreads.

What people eat here

  • Chungmu gimbap Tongyeong

    Plain rice rolls served with radish kimchi and seasoned squid on the side, a format that came from keeping food from spoiling on boats.

  • Oyster dishes Tongyeong and Geoje

    Raw, in soup with rice, or in pancakes. The farming grounds are close, so winter supply is heavy.

  • Jinju naengmyeon Jinju

    Buckwheat noodles in a seafood broth, topped with battered beef. A different lineage from the Pyeongyang and Hamhung styles.

  • Agu jjim (braised monkfish) Masan, Changwon

    Dried monkfish steamed with bean sprouts in a hot sauce. Chewier than the fresh version.

  • Anchovy ssambap Namhae

    Spring anchovies braised and wrapped in leaves — big enough to eat bones and all.

Where the food is

Jungang and Seoho Markets, Tongyeong

Two fish markets close enough together to cover both breakfast and a raw fish lunch.

Masan monkfish street

A street of braised monkfish specialists.

Jungang Market, Jinju

A downtown market with long-running cold noodle and bibimbap shops.

Mijo Port, Namhae

A harbour working in anchovy and hairtail.

Hwagae Market, Hadong

A market on the Seomjin River selling clam soup and mountain greens.

When to go

  • Oysters are in season from November to February.
  • Anchovies are best around Namhae from April to June.
  • During cherry blossom season, Jinhae and the roads around it are extremely congested.

Worth knowing

  • Tongyeong dachi and Masan tongsul serve drinks with a full table of food priced per head, which makes them hard to visit alone.
  • When water temperatures rise, oysters are safer cooked than raw.
  • The heat level of braised monkfish varies a lot between restaurants. Ask first.
  • On the islands, meal times are governed by ferry schedules — check departures before you plan.

What it costsChungmu gimbap runs around KRW 8,000, braised monkfish about KRW 40,000 for two, and oyster soup with rice around KRW 10,000.

KR

What to Eat in South Gyeongsang — Local Food Guide | TastyLog