Discover Authentic Pohang Mulhoe: A Must-Try Seafood Experience in Korea

Mulhoe (물회), a Korean-style cold raw fish soup, is a refreshing and flavorful dish especially popular during summer. Originating from the coastal city of Pohang, South Korea, Mulhoe is known for its unique blend of spicy, sweet, and sour flavors, combined with fresh seafood and crunchy vegetables. Recently, a group including Korean celebrity Lee Dong-gook visited a restaurant in Pohang to experience the true taste of authentic Mulhoe. Let’s dive into their experience and discover what makes Pohang Mulhoe so special!

Finding the Original Pohang Mulhoe

The group in the video were on a quest to find the “original” Pohang Mulhoe. They visited a restaurant with a beautiful seaside view, reminiscing about past memories and eager to taste the local specialty. The key point they emphasized throughout their meal was the authentic Pohang style of eating Mulhoe, which surprisingly, involves skipping the Chojang (초장), the vinegared red pepper paste commonly used in Korean cuisine.

The Secret: Gochujang-Based Sauce

Instead of Chojang, authentic Pohang Mulhoe uses a Gochujang (고추장)-based sauce. This special sauce, made with a blend of Gochujang and other secret ingredients (which the restaurant owner playfully kept secret!), delivers a richer and deeper flavor profile. They described it as having a “rich sauce taste” that perfectly complements the freshness of the seafood.

The method they recommend is simple: mix the provided Gochujang sauce with the fresh seafood and vegetables, add ice and water to your preference, and enjoy! They experimented with and without adding Chojang, and unanimously agreed that Mulhoe without Chojang offers a far superior and more authentic taste, allowing the true flavors of the fresh ingredients and the special sauce to shine.

A Feast of Fresh Seafood and Delicious Side Dishes

The restaurant impressed them not only with its Mulhoe but also with its generous side dishes. They enjoyed:

• Abundant Fresh Seafood: The Mulhoe featured fresh, locally sourced seafood from the Pohang coast. They specifically mentioned Godeungeo (mackerel) and praised its freshness, stating it was caught just off the coast.
• Grilled Godeungeo (가자미 구이): A surprising and delightful side dish was grilled Godeungeo. They were amazed by its quality and taste, commenting that in Seoul, this alone would be a main dish on a set menu.
• Spicy Fish Stew (매운탕): The Maeuntang served was highly praised, described as “much better than a Maeuntang specialty restaurant!”. They loved the deep, spicy, and flavorful broth, highlighting that even those who don’t usually enjoy spicy food would find it irresistible because it’s “spicy and delicious, not just blandly spicy”.
• Complimentary Dessert: Adding to the generous hospitality, the restaurant even offers a complimentary dessert, described as “ice shavings,” resembling a refreshing shaved ice treat, perfect after the spicy and cold Mulhoe.

Restaurant Atmosphere and Location

The restaurant boasts a beautiful view overlooking the Pohang sea, creating a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. They mentioned that the restaurant was located at the “end of the road” and held sentimental value, suggesting it might be a well-known and perhaps slightly secluded spot favored by locals. While the exact name isn’t mentioned, we know it’s a cafe-like restaurant in Pohang with a stunning ocean view.

Overall Impression and Rating

The group was thoroughly impressed with the authentic Pohang Mulhoe and the overall dining experience. They highly recommended trying Mulhoe without Chojang to truly appreciate its original flavor. Based on their overwhelmingly positive reactions, this restaurant in Pohang seems to offer a top-notch Mulhoe experience. We’d give it a general rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on the freshness of ingredients, delicious taste, generous side dishes, beautiful location, and enthusiastic recommendation from the group.

If you’re planning a trip to Pohang or simply crave authentic Korean seafood, be sure to seek out a restaurant serving traditional Pohang-style Mulhoe. Prepare to be amazed by the refreshing flavors and the unique way of enjoying this iconic Korean dish!