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Hanbyeokjib Jeonju: 80-Year Tradition of Refreshing Freshwater Fish Stew – A Local’s Pick Near Hanok Village

Hello everyone! Today, I want to introduce you to a truly special restaurant in my hometown, Jeonju. As you might know from my recent videos, I’m moving back to Seoul after living in Jeonju for the past few years. Before I leave, I wanted to share some of my favorite local spots, and Hanbyeokjib is definitely high on that list.

Discovering Hanbyeokjib: An 80-Year Legacy of Omojari Jjigae

Hanbyeokjib is a restaurant with nearly 80 years of history, specializing in freshwater fish stew, also known as “Omojari Jjigae.” For Jeonju locals craving a soup with a deep, refreshing flavor, especially when seafood stew isn’t quite the right fit (since Jeonju isn’t by the sea), Hanbyeokjib is the answer. While it’s not exactly seafood stew, the level of refreshment it offers surpasses even that, in my personal opinion.

The Unique Taste of Saewoo-tang (Shrimp Stew) at Hanbyeokjib

The menu at Hanbyeokjib features various freshwater fish dishes like Soy Sauce Marinated Mandarinfish, Korean stumpy bullhead, Korean aucha perch, and Korean minnow. However, I’ve always been drawn to their Saewoo-tang (새우탕), or Shrimp Stew. Every time I visit, which is about three or four times a year, I order the Saewoo-tang. For this review, I ordered a medium size, although usually, a small size is more than enough for two people, often with leftovers to take home!

What makes Hanbyeokjib’s Saewoo-tang so special? It’s made with tiny freshwater shrimp called “Sae-bang-i” and features a generous amount of fermented radish greens (Siraegi) that have been aged for a year. This aged Siraegi is key to the incredible depth of flavor. The stew is served boiling hot in an “Omogari,” which is a traditional earthenware pot in the Jeolla dialect.

A Refreshing Broth Unlike Any Other

The broth is unbelievably refreshing. Despite being made with tiny freshwater shrimp that seem almost flavorless, the soup is incredibly savory and clean-tasting, completely different from seafood or Pollock roe stew. I’m not usually a fan of freshwater fish stews due to a perceived muddy or fishy smell. However, Sae-bang-i shrimp, being small and shrimp-like, avoids any unpleasant odors, resulting in a delicious and clean taste. I’ve always loved the Saewoo-tang so much that I haven’t ventured to try other fish dishes here, not because I suspect them to be bad, but simply because the shrimp stew is consistently so satisfying.

For those who might be curious about the best freshwater fish stew in Jeollabuk-do, many point to restaurants near Lake Okjeongho in Imsil. I’ve tried Saewoo-tang there as well, but personally, I find Hanbyeokjib’s version to be even more delicious.

Atmosphere and Location: Riverside Dining Experience

Hanbyeokjib offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is set up on Pyeongsang (traditional Korean wooden platforms) right next to the Jeonjucheon stream. It’s a lovely experience to dine outdoors, enjoying the view, especially on a pleasant day. They even have power outlets available at the outdoor tables! I also noticed some friendly cats roaming around, which I personally found charming.

The restaurant is conveniently located in Gyo-dong, Jeonju, very close to the popular Hanok Village. This makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting Hanok Village.

Delicious Side Dishes and a Hearty Meal

The side dishes are simple but delicious, especially the Kimchi, which has a deep, fermented flavor reminiscent of well-aged Kimchi. It’s so good that it reminds me of the famous Seochogalbi Kimchi in Busan! Every time I eat here, I end up ordering extra rice. Dining outdoors by the Jeonjucheon stream adds to the enjoyment. And for those concerned about the water quality, Jeonjucheon is actually a class 1 water stream and a habitat for otters, a natural monument in Korea!

Takeaway Recommendation: Don’t Leave Without a Doggy Bag!

Hanbyeokjib generously offers 포장 (packaging) for leftovers, including both the Saewoo-tang and even the Sungnyung (scorched rice water). Reheating the Saewoo-tang the next day makes for an excellent meal or 술안주 (drinking snack). Don’t hesitate to ask for 포장!

Conclusion: A Must-Try Jeonju Local Restaurant

In conclusion, Hanbyeokjib is a Jeonju gem with an 80-year legacy, offering a unique and refreshing freshwater fish stew experience. Even if you’re not typically a fan of freshwater stews, I highly recommend trying their Saewoo-tang. It’s a dish that has me craving it regularly. And once again, thank you to all my subscribers for making it possible for me to move back to Seoul! Stay tuned for my next video, which will be a comprehensive review of Jeonju Hanok Village!

Location: Jeonbuk Jeonju Wansan-gu Gyo-dong 117-1 (전북 전주시 완산구 교동 117-1)

Rating: Highly Recommended (Local Favorite)

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