48,000-won crab and fish set with kids in Yangsan: Deodo Gejang

On a sunny weekend, staying home felt like a waste, so we went for a light drive. We'd grown completely tired of our usual go-to meals, so this time we headed to Deodo Gejang, a Yangsan restaurant near Tongdosa Temple famous for dishes that make you eat way more rice than you meant to.

Deodo Gejang / Address: 2648 Yangsan-daero, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam, South Korea / Hours: Daily 11:00–20:00

How close is Deodo Gejang to Tongdosa, and is there parking?

Deodo Gejang sits right near Tongdosa Temple at Yeongchuksan, and the location was genuinely great. It's the perfect spot to swing by after a relaxed walk around the temple grounds on a weekend or holiday, when you're finally hungry and ready for a proper meal.

Driving up to the restaurant, we were greeted by a parking lot so huge it felt like a schoolyard. Places with tight parking always drain your energy before you even sit down, but here the space was so generous we parked in one go, stress-free, and walked straight in.

Inside Deodo Gejang

After parking with zero hassle and walking through the front door, a spacious, cozy main dining area opens up to the right of the hall counter.

Stepping inside, the high ceilings and sheer size of the place gave it an open, airy feel. Despite visiting during the lunch peak, turnover was fast enough that we never had to waste time waiting, and the tables were spaced generously enough that we could relax without worrying about our neighbors.

Deodo Gejang menu prices and the receipt review event

Deodo Gejang is run by an owner-chef with 20 years of experience at five-star hotels, specializing in clean-sea jeju yellow crab jang (marinated crab) and assorted jang. Alongside the signature jeju yellow crab jang, the menu offers soy crab jang, spicy marinated crab, shrimp jang, abalone jang, and more, plus grilled fish that's a crowd-pleaser for all ages — a genuinely wide range to choose from.

Every table had an easy-to-spot notice about a receipt review event. Just by participating, you can get a free serving of abalone jang or crispy fried crab — a nice perk worth grabbing!

What comes in the 48,000-won set for two: three grilled fish, yellow crab jang and pot rice

We ordered the hearty set with three kinds of grilled fish, yellow crab jang, and nutrition pot rice. It came to ₩48,000 for two, and you get to choose either spicy or soy marinated crab — we went with soy crab jang. After a short wait, a table-bending spread of banchan (side dishes) came pouring out, filling the table completely.

It wasn't just about the number of side dishes — each one had a quality that stood out. These weren't mass-produced fillers; they had a real homemade touch, and our chopsticks were busy picking at them before the main dishes even arrived.

Why Deodo Gejang works for a meal with kids

We came with our kids, and when we ordered extra rice, the staff thoughtfully brought out a savory seaweed soup along with it. A small thing, but that kind of consideration instantly put us in a good mood.

Among the side dishes was a sweet-and-salty stir-fried bulgogi that was perfect as a rice side for the kids. Thanks to it, they cleared their bowls without any fuss, and I thought there's really no better dining spot for a whole family.

The seafood doenjang (soybean paste) stew arrived bubbling in a hot stone bowl. Loaded with fresh seafood, the broth was rich and spicy-savory — perfect for waking up the appetite between bites.

The nutritious pot rice and nurungji (scorched rice)

The nutrition pot rice included in the set gave off a strong, nutty aroma the moment we opened the lid. Loaded with mushrooms, ginkgo nuts, and other healthy ingredients, it felt like a proper treat. We quickly scooped the rice out into bowls, then poured hot water into the pot to make savory nurungji (scorched rice tea)~~

Three grilled fish, including flounder with no fishy smell

The highlight of the mains, three hefty grilled fish, sat proudly at the center of the table. Including a plump flounder, the fish were grilled to a golden brown with zero fishy smell — just a savory, nutty scent filling the air.

Grilled crisp on the outside and moist inside, even the lightest touch of chopsticks pulled off big, white, plump flakes of fish. The crackling crispness of the skin made it impossible to stop eating.

The grilled fish itself was seasoned just right, delicious even on its own, but piled onto the piping-hot pot rice, it became truly rice-stealing food. Seafood is notoriously tricky to handle, which is why even big companies struggle to franchise it — and you could taste all ten years of expertise this seafood specialist has built up.

How the soy-marinated crab made with live yellow crab tastes

Next came today's star, the soy crab jang, made with only fresh — never frozen — yellow crab. To fully tame the crab's characteristic bitterness, each shell is opened and cleaned by hand, and it certainly showed a different level of quality just from the visuals.

The crab jang was packed edge-to-edge with meat and roe, and just a gentle press had the pale flesh spilling out. Aged with natural fruit rather than artificial sweeteners, it had none of that fake sweetness — just pure, natural umami.

There wasn't a hint of fishiness, just an explosion of umami, so much so I could've eaten it plain without hesitation. Scraping the roe and meat together, mixing it into the rice, and wrapping it up with the dried seaweed provided — I couldn't help but let out a sigh of satisfaction. It really made sense why this place has become known as a must-visit Yangsan restaurant near Tongdosa!!! Even our little one at home, who normally can't handle soy crab jang, joined in and said it was delicious~~

We finished off with a clean sip of savory nurungji from the pot rice, wrapping up a complete and satisfying meal. With flavor, care, and a proper full stomach all covered, this is a must-visit Yangsan restaurant near Tongdosa if you're planning a trip out that way.