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Wangpo Fisheries: Experience an Incredible Seafood Feast in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul – A Local’s Hidden Gem

Hello everyone! Kim Sa-won, reporting live from one of my favorite neighborhoods in Seoul! Today, I ventured into the peaceful Yeonhui-dong, a place I truly adore in Seoul, for a relaxing stroll. During my walk, I stumbled upon a sign that seemed too good to be true, reminiscent of a bygone era. It felt like stepping back to 2014, not 2024! Intrigued, I immediately headed to the place – let’s give a round of applause for Wangpo Fisheries!

For those unfamiliar, Yeonhui-dong is a charming neighborhood in Seoul, quite secluded from subway stations, adding to its serene and tranquil atmosphere. As I was wandering around, something caught my eye – a banner that looked like it had been there for a decade! I initially thought it was an old, outdated advertisement. However, the restaurant itself looked surprisingly new, with a warm and inviting ambiance and a clean interior. Without further ado, let’s dive into this unbelievable spot I discovered at the start of the year.

First up, the menu! Their course options are quite something. Course A is particularly impressive: for two people, you get lobster; for three, snow crab; and for a party of four, a whole king crab! Truly a mind-blowing offering. However, today, I was drawn in by the “Today’s Special #1” banner – promising exceptional value.

Inside, I noticed pristine water tanks, typical of high-quality seafood restaurants in Korea, assuring freshness. Soon after, a magnificent array of sashimi appeared, meticulously arranged with various cuts and accompaniments, including fresh wild chives (dalrae), a delightful and special touch.

Let’s begin this culinary journey! The first course was a stunning sashimi platter. The options for the day were exclusively Greater Amberjack (Buri, 대방어). While you could choose only Greater Amberjack, I opted for the ‘Modeum’ (모듬 – assorted) selection to enjoy a variety. Notably, the sashimi here is aged to perfection, enhancing its texture and flavor.

Let’s take a closer look at the sashimi selection. From top to bottom, we have cuts of Greater Amberjack belly and back, flounder, mackerel, pufferfish, and finally, sea bass. Looking at this composition, it’s hard to believe the price point. Just look at the generous cuts of Greater Amberjack belly – it’s like a seafood encyclopedia on a plate!

For my first bite, I wanted to savor the pure flavor of the fish, so I skipped the chili sauce and enjoyed it plain. The taste? Rich, oily, and intensely flavorful thanks to the aging process. One bite was enough to tell me the chef here truly knows their sashimi. And of course, this calls for a celebratory drink!

Next, I tried the flounder sashimi. They must have used incredibly large flounder because the slices were thick and substantial, with a firm, almost muscular texture – like the flounder is a bodybuilder! Then came the mackerel sashimi. Despite the many more dishes to come, the quality of this initial course was already astounding, making me wonder if the owner was operating at a loss. I cautiously asked the owner about it, and they explained they personally source the seafood fresh from auction every morning – a testament to their incredible sourcing skills.

The platter also included wonderfully chewy pufferfish sashimi and sea bass, which had a reddish hue in the fillet, indicating its prized quality. Following the sashimi, a spectacular seafood platter arrived. First up was fresh oyster ( 석화). As a tip, the oysters with a clear black rim are considered the freshest. Inspired by something I saw before, I added a bit of chili, garlic, and chili-vinegar sauce (초장) on top. It slid into my mouth effortlessly, like a bobsleigh run! Paired with a shot of soju, it was the perfect winning combination.

Next up, a dish that would surely amaze foreigners – live octopus (산낙지)! It’s incredibly lively and fresh. Following the octopus, sea squirt (멍게) arrived, completing the perfect seafood course. The sea squirt was refreshingly tart and invigorating, making me question if I was still in Yeonhui-dong or at a seaside market! From now on, I’ll be calling the owner ‘Captain’!

And the feast continues! Just when I thought I couldn’t eat any more, our ‘Captain’ came to the rescue with a life-saving spicy fish stew (매운탕)! I had visited at the beginning of the year, and unfortunately, they were out of crab that day, so it was replaced with a truly excellent maeuntang. One taste, and any disappointment vanished. A must-order here is the 2,000 KRW handmade sujebi (수제비 – Korean pasta). Unlike pre-packaged versions, these are hand-torn, offering an incredibly chewy and satisfying texture.

Digging into the stew, it was so packed with ingredients, it was hard to tell if it was maeuntang or galbitang (short rib soup)! Where does the generosity of this place end? Is the owner’s name perhaps Hye-ja (혜자 – meaning generous)? Look at the rich color of the maeuntang broth coating the perfectly cooked sujebi – the depth of flavor and refreshing spiciness were incredible. It was hands down one of the best maeuntangs I’ve had at a sashimi restaurant.

To summarize, and please don’t misunderstand, all the amazing courses I’ve shown you weren’t per person for 50,000 KRW – it was the total cost for the entire 50,000 KRW course! In this day and age, finding a restaurant like this is a true gem. Considering the quality of the sashimi, the unbelievable value, the friendly owner, and the exceptional taste, Wangpo Fisheries in Yeonhui-dong is a must-visit.

Finally, on a personal note, this year marks my 5th year of running my YouTube channel as a hobby. I started when I was a rookie employee, and now I’m a manager hopeful! My channel will continue to be consistent, humble, and focus on sharing delicious experiences like this. To everyone who has visited my channel this year, I wish you a Happy New Year! Kim Sa-won’s flavorful Seoul travels will continue to be fun and exciting. If you enjoyed this review, please subscribe and like! I’m signing off for today! [Music]

Restaurant Information:

• Name: Wangpo Fisheries (왕포수산)
• Location: Yeonhui-dong, Seoul, South Korea (연희동, 서울)
• Rating: Highly Recommended for Value and Quality