Grilled and braised fish sets for two in Yongdam, Jeju: Naneun Jigeum

What kind of restaurant is Naneun Jigeum Saengseoni Meokgo Sipda Yongdam Airport Branch?

Naneun Jigeum Saengseoni Meokgo Sipda Address: 168 Yongmun-ro, 1st floor, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea Hours: 09:30 – 21:00 Store features: A charcoal-grilled fish specialist that grills fish directly over real charcoal, crisp outside and moist inside. Signature menus are the Big Son's Set with mackerel, cutlassfish, flounder and croaker plus cheonggukjang, and the Small Son's Set loaded with bracken fern.

Views inside and outside the restaurant

The interior is kept clean and hygienic, so the whole family can eat comfortably here. Some days during a Jeju trip, you just crave something light and savory like grilled fish.

I visited a Jeju grilled fish restaurant with a witty, straightforward name — 'Naneun Jigeum Saengseoni Meokgo Sipda' ('I want to eat fish right now'). The moment I walked in, the smoky, savory scent of charcoal drifted through the air, sparking my appetite.

The interior was tidy and well-kept, so I could sit down at ease, and the owner and staff greeted me warmly and kindly, putting me in a good mood even before the meal started.

What we ordered at the Yongdam fish grill, and what it cost

Order Big Son's Set (for two): ₩36,000

That day we ordered the restaurant's popular set menus together — the Big Son's Set (2-person) and the Small Son's Set (2-person) — to try a bit of everything.

Big Son's Set: four charcoal-grilled fish with cheonggukjang

The Big Son's Set is a hearty spread that comes standard with grilled mackerel, cutlassfish, flounder and croaker, plus a bubbling pot of cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew).

True to a charcoal-grilled fish specialist, everything was grilled golden brown directly over the coals — the skin was crisp while the flesh inside stayed juicy and tender.

The gentle charcoal aroma completely tamed any fishy taste, letting each fish's clean, savory flavor shine in its own way. Add a spoonful of the deep, savory cheonggukjang, and a whole bowl of rice disappeared in no time.

Small Son's Set: spicy braised cutlassfish with bracken fern

The Small Son's Set centers on braised cutlassfish with bracken fern (gosari), a Jeju specialty, piled in generously. The thick cutlassfish pieces were seasoned through with a spicy-sweet sauce, and one bite drew an instant sound of approval. The bracken fern in particular grew more savory the more I chewed, bursting with umami alongside the sauce.

Mixing the tender, well-cooked bracken fern and the spicy braising sauce into rice, then topping it with cutlassfish flesh, delivered a deep umami that was entirely different from the grilled fish. The harmony between the grilled and braised dishes was excellent — I enjoyed a satisfying meal without a dull moment right to the end.

Is the Yongdam grilled fish set worth a return visit?

Naneun Jigeum Saengseoni Meokgo Sipda in Jeju satisfied on every front, from the golden charcoal-grilled fish to the spicy braised cutlassfish with bracken fern, kind service and a clean store environment. The side dishes came out neat and tidy too, so I polished off a full bowl of rice.

I'd wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone who wants to properly enjoy a range of fresh grilled fish and braised cutlassfish while traveling in Jeju. It was a satisfying visit for a hearty, easy-on-the-stomach meal, and I think I'll come back without hesitation next time I'm craving fish in Jeju.