Chuncheon family dinner at a kelp-aged tuna restaurant: Maguro Tuna

I visited Maguro Tuna, an aged tuna sashimi restaurant near POSCO in Hupyeong-dong, Chuncheon, Gangwon. I'd booked ahead for a nice dinner with the family and headed over with high expectations.

Where is Maguro Tuna, and what is the restaurant like inside?

Maguro Tuna sits on the 3rd floor of the Shinhan Bank building, across from POSCO in Hupyeong-dong. Step off the elevator, turn right, and you're greeted by an exterior with distinctly authentic Japanese vibes.

The calm wood-toned interior is neatly split into counter seating and private rooms, so the moment you step inside, it feels wonderfully comfortable.

The place is kept meticulously clean, and the whole time we were there it felt like being genuinely well taken care of. What really moved me was how warm the owner and staff were throughout the meal — they kept an eye on the side dishes, pickled radish and pickled ginger and refilled them generously before we even had to ask. The whole restaurant has a calm yet lively warmth to it, making it perfect for an evening family gathering with people you care about, or a cozy date over a drink.

Maguro Tuna course menu and prices

• Seon (per person) ₩43,000
• Jin (per person) ₩53,000
• Teukseon (per person) ₩80,000
• Manager's Special (per person) ₩100,000
• Sanuki udon ₩7,000
• Grilled Chilean sea bass ₩25,000
• Fried shrimp (10pcs) ₩15,000
• Kombujimae-aged tuna sushi (10pcs) ₩20,000
• Kombujimae-aged fatty belly sushi (10pcs) ₩30,000

How did the kombujimae kelp-aged bluefin tuna taste?

Maguro Tuna says it uses Korea's first kombujimae method — wrapping 200–300kg Mediterranean bluefin tuna in Goseong deep-sea salt and wild kombu from Sokcho for curing.

It wasn't stiff, fully frozen tuna, and it wasn't the too-soft texture of raw fresh tuna either — it landed right in that middle ground, dense and chewy, wrapping the mouth completely.

The rich swordfish belly and bluefin cuts were bursting with nutty flavor, while the red lean cuts stayed light and clean — every single bite, from first to last, drew a sigh of admiration.

When the round wooden tray first landed on the table, the owner personally walked us through the characteristics of each cut and the best combinations to eat them in — genuinely helpful.

The full course, from porridge to fried shrimp and tuna sushi

The course opened gently with soft porridge, salad and a warm, deep miso soup that settled the stomach, then rolled into a savory braised fish, a light grilled fish, and thick, freshly fried shrimp with crisp batter — a proper, elegant course served one dish after another.

Midway through the meal, the owner handed us thick tuna sushi that melted away with just a touch of wasabi. Right as we finished clearing the first plate, a refill plate arrived without any break in the flow — very satisfying.

Throughout the meal, the owner and staff kept telling us to speak up anytime we ran short on any cut, so we could eat without any hesitation — full and happy. It felt like they'd cleverly combined the strengths of Maru Tuna's fully-frozen texture and Minoru's course without the drawback of no refills — genuinely hit my personal tuna preferences perfectly.

Honest pros and things to check before visiting Maguro Tuna

What Maguro Tuna does well

• The interior is exceptionally clean and pleasant.
• The kombu-curing method gives a chewy, umami-rich texture with no fishy smell.
• Staff refill side dishes and tuna before you even ask, so you leave full.
• It's a genuine full course — grilled, fried, sushi, braised, all included.
• The owner and staff are attentive and warm the entire time.

Check before you go

• Take the elevator to the 3rd floor and turn right to find it.
• Closed every Sunday, so check the day before you go.
• It's popular, so reservations are recommended for evening peak hours.
• Opening time is 5:30pm — keep that in mind.

Maguro Tuna hours, parking and address

• Name: Maguro Tuna
• Address: 강원 춘천시 보안길 65 3층 306호
• Hours: Mon–Sat 17:30–22:00
• Closed: Every Sunday
• Parking: Building's own lot or nearby side streets

Is Maguro Tuna worth it for a family dinner in Chuncheon?

Maguro Tuna is a place where you can really feel the craftsmanship of a restaurant that's been serving top-tier tuna consistently since 2006. Thanks to their patented kombu-curing method, the tuna carries a subtle sweetness and softness that pretty much anyone would enjoy. The generous course, the plentiful tuna refills, and the warm, easygoing service all combined into a deeply satisfying meal from start to finish. If you're looking for a good-looking sashimi restaurant and bar in Chuncheon for a special occasion, or just want a proper, refined dinner, this one's worth a visit.