Gijang restaurant near Ananti: mentaiko hitsumabushi and Orangdae walk

I went out to Gijang and ended up at the eel restaurant of a lifetime — Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch — where I felt properly taken care of. It was a day of both a great meal and a great drive, so I wanted to share the full review while it's still fresh!

The menu item was none other than eel rice bowl!! But a special version topped with mentaiko (seasoned pollock roe) ✨

Parking and private rooms at Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch

🍱 A large parking lot, an upscale atmosphere, and private rooms

Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch feels upscale from the entrance onward. There's plenty of parking space so you don't have to worry about that at all! The whole restaurant is made up of clean private rooms, so it's perfect for couples, families, group gatherings, bringing along elderly parents, or visiting on a special occasion.

Baby chairs were also carefully provided, so families visiting with kids can eat comfortably too. I've been to a famous eel rice bowl place in Haeundae, but personally, taking the private space, service, and taste all together, Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch was far more satisfying!

Where is Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch, and when is it open?

📍 Store info and location

• Name: Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch
• Address: 45-10 Yeonhwa-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
• Hours Tue–Sun: 11:30–20:30 (last order 19:40)
• Break time: 15:00–16:30 (applies on weekdays like Tue, Wed)
• Closed every Monday (if Monday is a public holiday, open as usual then closed the following Tuesday)
• Facilities: private rooms (group reservations for 1–16 people), baby chairs available, reservations possible

Special Mentaiko Hitsumabushi, 44,000 won: how big is the portion?

🥢 Honest review of the Special Mentaiko Hitsumabushi & how to eat it well

What I ordered that day was the 'Special Mentaiko Hitsumabushi (₩44,000)'! Ordering the 'special' version doesn't just increase the rice — it increases the amount of eel, so there's no need to worry about it being too much; you get to fully nourish yourself with eel.

When the dish arrived, there was a guide on the table explaining 'how to enjoy hitsumabushi (eel rice bowl),' and I followed it step by step. Eating it this way gave a fun, different feeling of enjoying several dishes in one bowl.

Which side dishes come with the hitsumabushi?

🥗 Side dishes & a little tip

A neatly set table came with salad, steamed egg, soba (buckwheat noodles), kimchi, miso soup, and more.

The Japanese-style steamed egg was pudding-like — really soft and comforting.

It's Japanese food but there's a Korean touch — kimchi! It cuts right through any richness, so it was perfect for refreshing your palate between bites, very suited to Korean taste buds.

Personally, the soba felt a bit bland for my taste, but it wasn't bad as a palate cleanser.

Three ways to eat hitsumabushi at Yangsando

Recommended ways to eat it ☑️

First, taste the eel and rice on their own

Scoop just the eel and rice into an empty bowl and taste the original savory, sweet flavor first. The eel's own flavor is so good I was already impressed from the first bite.

Especially eaten with the mentaiko, the texture goes up a notch!

Second, add wasabi, scallion and nori flakes

Add a little nori flakes, scallion, and fresh wasabi and mix it in — it gives a clean, spicy kick that brings out the eel's flavor even more.

Third, pour over the ocha broth (the best way by far)

Pour the warm ocha (tea) broth from the little jug over the bowl for a savory, mild finish — personally, I loved this pour-over method the most! The way the broth blends with the flavors is amazing, so at the end I just kept pouring more ocha broth and cleaned the whole bowl.

The method I went back to again and again!

I think the ocha broth itself was just that good. No fishy taste at all.

And if you like mentaiko, I really recommend ordering a menu that includes it. The mentaiko hitsumabushi was truly an excellent choice — the plump roe popping in your mouth paired with the savory-sweet eel was amazing. The pairing was so perfect I wanted to add extra mentaiko.

Proof of a completely finished bowl!!

And on the way out, I noticed a toothbrush set in the restroom — that's when I really felt how thoughtful this place is, down to the smallest detail!

After the meal: walking to Orangdae in front of Ananti

🌊 A good route after eating: a walk at Orangdae

If you've finished a satisfying meal at Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch, I strongly recommend stopping by nearby Orangdae right after!

Orangdae is located right in front of the Ananti Resort, so it also works well as part of an Ananti visit, and the walking path connects beautifully with the stunning coastal scenery.

There's no admission fee, and parking at the public lot right in front is very cheap too.

It wasn't crowded at all, so I could enjoy the open sea and striking rock coastline at a leisurely pace — a really satisfying spot for a walk.

Opening hours change between summer and winter seasons, so make sure to check before you go!

If you're heading out to Gijang looking for a good restaurant near Osiryeon or want an upscale spot in Yeonhwa-ri, be sure to visit Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch and nourish yourself with the Special Mentaiko Hitsumabushi! Add on a walk to Orangdae after the meal and you'll have the perfect day. Highly recommended as a Gijang restaurant!