Choryang hagfish grill with a 3rd-generation sauce: Gyeongbuksan

Isn't Busan kkomjangeo (grilled hagfish, also called "eel" grill) one of the things you have to eat on a trip to Busan? Maybe that's why Busan has so many long-established hagfish restaurants.

What is Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo, the pride of Choryang's hagfish alley?

Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo (경북산꼼장어) has been open since 1963 and is now run by its third generation, a true old-school hagfish place in Choryang. This is the one I visited this time.

It has held its ground since the heyday of the Choryang hagfish alley, so it's the real deal. Having been loved by Busan locals for so long, it had me really looking forward to the visit. I heard it's even featured in the essay book <Anyway, Bars (아무튼, 술집)>, which introduces the drinking culture of different regions.

The restaurant sits roughly midway between Choryang Station and Busan Station, so it's easy to reach. I went by public transport and had no trouble finding it.

How are the service and dining room at this old Choryang hagfish grill?

As a Blue Ribbon-listed restaurant, Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo felt trustworthy from the atmosphere alone. The staff and the owner were really kind, too. Places that have been around for a long time sometimes have gruff service, but here they looked after even first-time guests carefully so we could eat comfortably, which impressed me.

Best of all, even though it's an old restaurant, it's kept remarkably clean.

First time? Order the half salt-grilled, half sauce-grilled hagfish

I ordered the medium half salt-grilled, half sauce-grilled set, haha. If it's your first visit, I highly recommend the half-and-half.

Because you get to enjoy both charms at once.

The owner pre-grills the hagfish for a smoky flavor

What I loved most at Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo is that the owner does the first grilling himself. The hagfish comes out pre-grilled with vegetables and a smoky, fire-kissed flavor, and my mouth was watering the moment I saw it.

How does the salt-grilled hagfish taste?

The salt-grilled let me really taste the natural texture and nutty richness of the hagfish. It was chewy yet tender, with no fishy smell at all. You can tell right away that the ingredients are fresh.

How does the third-generation secret sauce hagfish taste?

The sauce-grilled, on the other hand, is the dish that shows what Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo is really about. They say the sauce is a recipe passed down for three generations, and the balance of sweet and spicy was excellent. It's not harsh, yet your chopsticks keep going back for more.

Above all, the sauce soaks right into the hagfish, which makes it great drinking food. I immediately understood why Busan locals name it among the best hagfish spots in Busan. With the smoky char added, the flavor gets even deeper, and you can taste the experience built up over the years.

Fried rice is a must after grilled hagfish

At Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo, they fry rice in the sauce left over from the sauce-grilled hagfish. Once you've eaten a good amount of hagfish, you can't skip the fried rice, right? It was seriously so good, haha. It has that irresistible flavor where you end up scraping up even the crispy bits stuck to the bottom..

Is there parking at Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo?

If you're driving, search for the Sintaeyang parking lot (신태양 주차장) in your navigation and park there. It's a paid lot, but instead of a parking ticket, Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo gives you ₩2,000 in cash, so Sintaeyang is a better choice than parking elsewhere, right?

The parking fee is ₩1,200 for the first 30 minutes, then ₩400 for every additional 10 minutes, so keep that in mind.

Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo receipt review event

I hear Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo is also running an event where everyone who posts a receipt review wins something, and first prize is a size upgrade on your hagfish. A receipt review isn't hard, so give it a try!

Is Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo a good evening drinking spot in Choryang?

The old-school atmosphere and flavor, plus the kind service, made this a satisfying visit all around. If you want to really taste Busan hagfish, try Gyeongbuksan Kkomjangeo, the Choryang favorite that locals actually go to~>< The lightness of the salt-grilled, the addictive sauce-grilled and the fried rice made it a perfect meal. If you're looking for a good place for a drink near Busan Station or Choryang, do stop by.