Ansan sashimi restaurant mini platter, 24 pieces: Eochongye 1beonji

It had been a while, so to properly spoil my mother — who loves sashimi more than anyone — I took her out to Bandalseom, which has been getting a lot of buzz lately. I'd heard rumors that this place nailed both freshness and reasonable prices, so I went to check it out myself. This is my review of Eochongye 1beonji, a Bandalseom sashimi restaurant where you can enjoy a proper seafood feast in a wide, comfortable space.

Inside Eochongye 1beonji: a wide hall with no fishy smell

Eochongye 1beonji sits on a corner of the Bandalseom dining street in Ansan, with a spacious hall and generous gaps between tables. It was Sunday lunchtime, and while strolling around the neighborhood as part of our Bandalseom outing, the street felt surprisingly quiet. But the moment we stepped inside Eochongye 1beonji, we found the only place where customers were dining with real energy. Just from that sight, I was instantly convinced this was a genuinely proven, top-tier value sashimi restaurant in Ansan, already vetted by the locals haha.

The interior was spacious and comfortable. Being a newly opened spot, the decor was sleek, and there wasn't a trace of the unpleasant fishy odor typical of sashimi restaurants — you could tell they were meticulous about managing the tanks and kitchen. The tables were spaced generously too, making it the perfect Bandalseom sashimi restaurant for a cozy meal and conversation with my mom.

Salt-grilled fresh shrimp, still flapping at the table

Once seated, we first ordered the autumn specialty, salt-grilled fresh shrimp. The shrimp were flapping so vigorously in the pot that you could feel the freshness firsthand haha. Peeling off the bright-red, perfectly cooked shell and taking a bite, the plump, springy, chewy texture of the shrimp danced in my mouth.

The shrimp's subtle sweetness deepened with every chew, so it was great even eaten plain, without chojang (vinegar-chili sauce) or soy sauce. No fishy taste at all — just clean and light, and my mom loved it. Getting to enjoy fresh seafood this generously, I fell completely for the charm of true Bandalseom sashimi and Japanese cuisine haha.

Butter-grilled shrimp was also on the menu, but we're not big fans of buttery richness, so we grilled ours until crisp and ate the shrimp heads instead :D

Mini seasonal sashimi platter: nearly 24 pieces for two

The "mini" seasonal sashimi platter at Eochongye 1beonji was mini in name only. While the shrimp were still cooking, the main dish — the mini seasonal sashimi platter — arrived. I expected something light given the "mini" label, but we were shocked by the value: about 24 pieces total, two of each type per person. It was a well-rounded selection letting you taste flounder, mullet, salmon and other seasonal live fish all at once.

The sashimi was sliced especially thick, and the chewy texture that filled your mouth was a work of art. My personal favorite was the salmon, which melted away like cotton candy, while my mom really loved the chewy flounder. Paired with the mugeunji (aged kimchi) and ssamjang (seasoned soybean paste) served alongside, we never got tired of it. I'd call this the best value sashimi restaurant in Ansan for enjoying high-quality sashimi at this price haha.

Tablet ordering and free side dishes, from beondegi to seaweed soup

Eochongye 1beonji has a tablet kiosk at every table, which made adding to our order easy. Since the hall is so large, staff weren't always visible right away, but thanks to the tablet kiosks at each table, we could place additional orders easily without having to shout for a server — actually more convenient haha.

The complimentary side dishes weren't just there to pad out the number of items — from nostalgic beondegi (silkworm pupae) to refreshing seaweed soup, it was a substantial lineup that kept our chopsticks busy alongside the main dishes. The restrooms, separated for men and women within the building, were also clean and convenient. Thanks to the great taste and comfortable facilities, my mom and I made a firm promise to come back to this Bandalseom sashimi and Japanese restaurant next time we're in the area!

Where to park at Eochongye 1beonji

No need to worry about parking on your Bandalseom outing! Eochongye 1beonji has a spacious basement parking lot within the building, and street parking is also available along the dining street where the restaurant is located, making access very easy. Thanks to the ample parking, it's also very convenient for group gatherings or large family meals haha.

Verdict: who should eat at Eochongye 1beonji

Top-tier value live sashimi and a fresh shrimp feast, all in a comfortable setting!

Here's a summary of Eochongye 1beonji's strengths.

• A comfortable, cleanly managed space with none of the typical fishy odor of sashimi restaurants
• Generous portions even in the "mini" size — great-value seasonal sashimi sliced thick with a springy texture haha
• Fresh, flapping shrimp right before your eyes, with sweet, chewy salt-grilled fresh shrimp that bursts with flavor

Strongly recommended for these people!

• Anyone looking for a spacious, comfortable Bandalseom sashimi restaurant to bring their parents to
• Anyone wanting a great-value sashimi restaurant in Ansan to enjoy fresh, seasonal sashimi generously without breaking the bank
• Anyone looking for a Bandalseom sashimi and Japanese restaurant where you can order easily via tablet and pair delicious seafood with drinks haha