‘Haenyeo(Female Divers) Village’ Abalone Porridge, Yeonhwa-ri, Busan
Busan is both my hometown and a place I frequently visit due to various gatherings, despite living in Seoul.
During a weekend gathering in Busan, I took the opportunity to revisit Yeonhwa-ri in Gijang Daebanghang, a place I hadn’t been to in a while.
Recently renovated, it has become cleaner, and the spacious parking lot has made it more convenient.
However, even on weekends, parking can be challenging due to the influx of cars and people.
Yeonhwa-ri in Gijang, a place I occasionally visited since my school days.
Located near Gijang Daebanghang, it is always crowded with many people.
Yeonhwa-ri features a cluster of seafood Food Stall, where actual female divers sell freshly caught seafood.
We stopped by the Mijin Grandma’s(미진이할매) Food Stall among them.
Seafood set for 30,000 won, a price and composition unheard of in Seoul.
One of our group abstained from drinking and took the role of the designated driver while we enjoyed a shot of soju with the complimentary ‘honghap tang(mussel soup)’ that arrived first.
The ‘honghap tang’ was spicy and refreshing, making it a perfect match for a hearty drink.
We ordered a seafood set, which was not only abundant but also well-arranged.
Whether the female divers still dive for seafood in reality is uncertain, but having such generous and fresh seafood, and at such an affordable price, is incredibly charming.
I feel sorry for the octopus, but its deliciousness is irresistible.
The highlight of the ‘Haenyeo(female divers) Village’ is undoubtedly the abalone porridge.
Even the abalone porridge from Bonjuk(a Korean porridge brand) cannot match the richness, flavor, and color of this dish.
Despite being already full from the seafood, if you visit with four people, I recommend trying the Jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge) for three, priced at 12,000 won per person.
If you don’t pack the leftover porridge due to being too full, it might even appear in your dreams that night.
If you find the combination of seafood and abalone porridge slightly lacking, the perfect conclusion is always seafood ramyeon.
The taste of ramyeon is more frightening when you know its flavor.
After a satisfying lunch with friends, we took a stroll to ‘Hae Dong Yong Gung Sa’, a nearby temple.
Adjacent to the sea along with Yangyang Naksansa, it offered a refreshing walking path for the eyes, body, and soul.
Apart from the crowds during the spring season, it was a perfect weekend afternoon in every aspect.