# Gangneung restaurant with maesaengi jeotgal: Yeonhwa Maeul - By Saeon (https://superchart.com/en/@before-noon-coffee/) - Written Sep 16, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangneung, Gangwon - Sponsored: Visited as part of a sponsorship, and this post is written based on personal experience. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@before-noon-coffee/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@before-noon-coffee/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/index.md) ## In short Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap is a Korean restaurant facing the lotus fields of Punghomaeul in Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung. The 2-person set costs 48,000 won and brings a medium cockle bibimbap plus one serving of assorted mulhoe (cold raw fish in icy broth), with the bibimbap eaten wrapped in seaweed and perilla leaves and paired with maesaengi jeotgal (salted seaweed fiber) and plump salted squid. Yeonhwa Maeul serves so much food that two people finished the meal completely full. ## Good to know - **Address**: 100-1 Pungho-gil, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do - **Hours**: 10:30–21:00 (last order 19:00) - **Closed**: Mondays - **Parking**: Large lot in front of the restaurant - **Signature menu**: Cockle bibimbap (medium) 33,000 won / assorted mulhoe (1 serving) 18,000 won - **What was ordered**: 2-person set (medium cockle bibimbap + 1 mulhoe) 48,000 won - **Seating**: Floor seating, shoes off at the entrance - **Getting there**: About 15 minutes by car from Jeongdongjin Station, about 13 minutes from Gangneung Station - **Good to know**: Lotus leaf tea and after-meal coffee included; lotus seeds, lotus leaves and lotus leaf tea for sale; takeout available - **Price reference**: ₩33,000 ≈ $24.5 · ₩18,000 ≈ $13 · ₩48,000 ≈ $35.5 (2026-09-16) *as written by the visitor on Sep 16, 2026* ![Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap signature photo](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-01-czez8-1200.webp) I'm always chasing dopamine wherever I go, haha. Today I visited Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap during my Gangneung trip. - Address: 100-1 Pungho-gil, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea - Hours: 10:30–21:00 - Last order: 19:00 - Closed: Mondays - Parking: Large lot in front of the restaurant - Access: Convenient for visitors arriving by car ## What kind of place is Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap? Yeonhwa Maeul sits facing the lotus pond in the quiet village of Punghomaeul. Instead of the bustling tourist-area feel, what caught my eye first was the calm village scenery. ![Lotus pond in Punghomaeul village and the surroundings of Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-02-18qi9-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap recommendation* In particular, there's a wide lotus flower field right in front of the restaurant. It made me naturally understand why the place is named Yeonhwa Maeul (연화마을, 'lotus flower village'). ![Spacious parking lot in front of Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-03-9bg8m-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap parking* ### Parking and how to get there from Jeongdongjin and Gangneung Station There's a spacious parking lot right in front, so it was easy to park and walk straight in. It's about 15 minutes by car from Jeongdongjin Station, making it a nice stop to pair with a Jeongdongjin itinerary, and about 13 minutes from Gangneung Station. ![Exterior of Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-04-1edy0-m-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap exterior* The walk from the parking lot to the entrance was simple, which made getting around by car during the trip much less of a hassle. ![Interior of Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-05-kldmn-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap interior* ## Inside Yeonhwa Maeul: floor seating and lotus-field views Stepping inside, the whole place felt warm and cozy, like grandma's house. ![Floor-seating interior at Yeonhwa Maeul where shoes come off at the door](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-06-13rxt-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap interior* Since you take your shoes off to enter, it felt like a little rest stop in the middle of the trip. ![Warm, cozy interior of Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-07-b0omh-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap restaurant* The interior isn't flashy like some restaurants — it's warm and welcoming, which I actually preferred. It matched the quiet mood of Punghomaeul perfectly and felt like a genuine break during the trip, haha. We visited as two people during our Gangneung trip, and the owner was really kind and made us feel comfortable. Aprons for eating mulhoe or cockle bibimbap were neatly prepared too. There was also lotus leaf tea available inside, warm to drink before or after the meal. It felt fun that it connected back to the lotus pond right outside, haha. You could even buy lotus seeds, lotus leaves, or lotus leaf tea! ![Coffee corner for after the meal at Yeonhwa Maeul](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-08-f62pw-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap after-meal coffee* There's also coffee available to enjoy after the meal, haha. ![Menu board at Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-09-nus9w-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap menu* ## Yeonhwa Maeul menu and the 48,000-won set for two Yeonhwa Maeul's signature menu items are cockle bibimbap and assorted mulhoe (raw fish in cold spicy broth), listed at ₩33,000 for medium cockle bibimbap and ₩18,000 for one serving of mulhoe. ![Set menu information showing cockle bibimbap and assorted mulhoe](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-10-17xtq-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap set menu* We ordered the 2-person set so we could try both menus together. ![Basic side dishes including steamed egg and seasoned eggplant](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-11-5pj3v-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap side dishes* ## Which side dishes come with the meal, including maesaengi jeotgal? The banchan (side dishes) weren't just a token single dish each — steamed egg, seasoned eggplant, braised potatoes, and more all came out. While waiting for the main dish, I found myself picking at the side dishes one by one. ![Side dishes including maesaengi (seaweed fiber) jeotgal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-12-12afv-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap side dishes* This maesaengi jeotgal (salted fermented seaweed fiber) was my first time trying it ever, and the seaweed flavor was so rich and delicious! According to the owner, the side dishes are all homemade and change depending on the season and ingredients!!! Thanks to these genuinely grandma's-house-tasting side dishes, my appetite went up even more, haha. ![Table spread with seaweed soup at Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-13-1chf2-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap honest review* A clean-tasting seaweed soup also comes along, good for when things feel a bit spicy, haha. ![Individually wrapped utensil set on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-14-1aprx-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap interior* The utensil sets were also neatly individually wrapped. ![Full spread of the 2-person cockle bibimbap and assorted mulhoe set](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-15-1710h-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap 2-person set* What we ordered this time was the 2-person set — medium cockle bibimbap plus one serving of assorted mulhoe — for ₩48,000! ## How to eat the cockle bibimbap in seaweed and perilla wraps The amount of cockles on the bibimbap was really impressive...!!! The bibimbap used a secret sauce with chopped chili mixed in, giving it a mild spicy kick. ![Cockle bibimbap piled high with cockles](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-16-1qt5e-m-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap recommended cockle bibimbap* Eating the rice and cockles together was already good, but wrapping it in seaweed or perilla leaf gave it a whole different combination! ![Cockle bibimbap wrapped in seaweed and perilla leaf](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-17-9igei-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap recommended cockle bibimbap* The savory cockles blended with the perilla leaf aroma, and adding seaweed on top kept me reaching for more. ^^ ![A bite of cockle bibimbap wrapped in perilla leaf](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-18-1uby2-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap 2-person set review* Of course, wrapping it in both seaweed and perilla leaf at once is even more delicious lolll. They gave us plenty of both, so we never ran short at all, T_T. Thanks to the generous owner, we ate so happily! ![Cockle bibimbap paired with squid jeotgal](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-19-19pl0-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap 2-person set review* The owner suggested that if the seasoning felt a bit bland, we should try it with squid jeotgal or maesaengi jeotgal — it wasn't actually bland, but the squid jeotgal looked so plump it caught my eye, so I tried it anyway and it was pure honey... ## Assorted mulhoe for one: abalone and seasonal raw fish ![A single serving bowl of assorted mulhoe at Yeonhwa Maeul](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-20-c6m8e-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap 2-person set assorted mulhoe* The mulhoe portion was also quite generous. ![Broth full of seafood in the assorted mulhoe](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-21-es73i-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap 2-person set assorted mulhoe* The broth was tangy and spicy, packed full of seafood, including abalone. ![Assorted mulhoe with abalone and seasonal sashimi](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-22-1kydj-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap 2-person set assorted mulhoe restaurant* Instead of using just one type of fish, they mix in seasonal sashimi like flounder, mullet, and yellowtail, plus sea squirt and abalone. The vegetables and seafood were both so plentiful that I couldn't believe this was just one serving, T_T. I was genuinely moved, lolll. ![Thin noodles served alongside the assorted mulhoe](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-23-ccyiq-966.webp) *Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap 2-person set assorted mulhoe noodles* ![Gangneung cockle bibimbap wrapped in seaweed and perilla leaf with maesaengi jeotgal, Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap](https://img.superchart.com/images/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam-24-1877i-966.webp) Partway through, I added the thin noodles that came alongside, and they went really well with the tangy, spicy mulhoe broth. ## Is the set for two too much food? Read this before ordering Even with two of us sharing the cockle bibimbap and mulhoe, the portions were so generous that by the end we felt like we were about to burst, 😆. Especially once we added the side dishes one by one, the meal turned into quite a feast. So if you're searching for a Gangneung mulhoe restaurant or Gangneung cockle bibimbap spot and planning to visit, it's worth keeping the portion sizes in mind when ordering. This was a place where we enjoyed cockle bibimbap and mulhoe together in the quiet, lotus-pond village of Punghomaeul. Between the spacious parking, the warm interior, the kind owner, and the warm lotus leaf tea, it was a relaxing time throughout the meal. If you're looking for a Gangneung travel restaurant that serves both cockle bibimbap and mulhoe, it's worth pairing with a Jeongdongjin itinerary. Takeout is also available, so you could pick some up on your way through Gangneung Station or Jeongdongjin Station. Once again, I went chasing dopamine and came back full and satisfied, 😊. ## Where it is - Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap (연화마을 꼬막비빔밥) - 100-1 Pungho-gil, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea - 강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 풍호길 100-1 - 37.7375965, 128.9535755 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%97%B0%ED%99%94%EB%A7%88%EC%9D%84%20%EA%BC%AC%EB%A7%89%EB%B9%84%EB%B9%94%EB%B0%A5/@37.7375965,128.9535755,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@before-noon-coffee/gangneung-yeonhwamaeul-kkomak-bibimbap-ssam/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt