Ansan sashimi restaurant with scallops: Eochongye 1beonji

A Bandal Island sashimi restaurant in a neighborhood full of memories

My husband and I finally had some breathing room on a weekday, so we took a drive to a neighborhood we used to visit often while dating. Back when we lived there, I remember it being wonderfully quiet, especially at night. But when we returned by car after such a long time, the old look had vanished completely—it had turned into a glamorous, stylish street! A huge arcade had opened nearby, along with lots of tasty restaurants, and the area felt full of life. As we walked through the lively streets together, we started craving sashimi with that fresh-from-the-sea feeling. Since we were going to have it anyway, we decided to look around the neighborhood and try a place known for great value among Ansan sashimi restaurants.

While strolling around, we spotted one place in particular with a bright, energetic storefront. Its friendly name immediately caught my eye—it sounded like somewhere fresh fish would be swimming. The quiet scenery I remembered had disappeared, replaced by a polished commercial district, so it was fun peeking down every alley. My husband was amazed too, saying the neighborhood had changed so dramatically it felt like another era. Sharing little memories from the past, we went inside with high expectations.

Spacious, comfortable seating

Once inside, I found the dining room much larger and more pleasant than I had expected. The tables were generously spaced, making it easy to focus on our meal without feeling crowded. The staff welcomed us warmly with big smiles and showed us to a comfortable window-side table we wanted. Even though we were a little past regular mealtime, quite a few diners were still seated, and my heart started racing—I could tell this was already a well-known Bandal Island sashimi spot.

A small assorted sashimi platter and neat side dishes

We looked over the menu and wondered what would make us say we had really eaten well. In the end, we ordered the small assorted sashimi platter, a great size for two people to sample several fish varieties. Before long, while my husband and I were chatting, a glossy plate of fresh sashimi arrived at the table. The firm, springy flesh looked so fresh that it made my mouth water instantly. From flounder to rockfish, the platter held a satisfying selection, making every bite fun to choose.

The banchan (Korean side dishes) served with the main dish were just as neatly presented. There were basic dipping sauces, nutty beondegi (silkworm pupae), garlic, mushroom wasabi with a sharp kick, and tangy seasoned seaweed. They also brought crisp white kimchi, creamy corn salad, fresh perilla leaves and peppers, deeply flavored miyeokguk (seaweed soup), and plump beans. Looking at the carefully arranged, clean-tasting dishes, I felt as though I were being treated at a proper Japanese-style sashimi restaurant on Bandal Island. My chopsticks were busy before the main dish even arrived.

Looking over the whole table with the assorted sashimi, it was wonderful to see every empty space filled so generously. The harmony between the side dishes and sashimi brought out a happy smile just by looking at it. My husband kept saying the spread was neither excessive nor lacking, then picked up a slice of fish and dipped it in sauce with a pleased expression. Thanks to the cleanly served food, we enjoyed a happy, precious meal for two at this popular Bandal Island sashimi restaurant.

From seasonal sashimi to a wide range of seafood

As we continued eating, I took a close look at the large menu posted on the wall. Seasonal gizzard shad sashimi and grilled gizzard shad caught my attention, along with refreshing mulhoe (cold raw-fish soup) and seasoned sashimi salad. There was also an incredible range of fish, from striped beakfish and filefish to precious greenling, croaker, sea bass, longtooth grouper, and sevenband grouper. The menu made it easy to choose delicious seafood according to the season and your preference, and the prices felt reasonable for the quality—just right for finding good value at an Ansan sashimi restaurant.

The sashimi was so fresh and delicious that we were in a great mood, so we added fresh scallops midway through the meal. They were full and plump, with a clear sheen that made me gasp just looking at them. I added only a tiny bit of cho-gochujang (sweet-and-tangy chili sauce) and popped one into my mouth; the scallop’s gentle sweetness, savory depth, and soft texture filled my mouth. With its deep ocean fragrance, it felt like the quality you would expect at a proper Bandal Island Japanese-style sashimi restaurant, and my husband and I happily shared them.

Finishing with fish-bone maeuntang and noodles

To finish the meal, we added fish-bone maeuntang (spicy fish stew) to warm us up with a satisfying kick. Although it was the affordable size, it arrived in a large pot piled high with fresh perilla leaves and vegetables, and the presentation won me over immediately. Just hearing it bubble away on the burner made me feel refreshed inside. Its spicy, deeply fragrant broth gently filled the air and gave our meal a wonderful ending.

As the maeuntang broth began to boil, we made sure not to forget the most important addition: noodles. I was already excited at the thought of adding chewy noodles to that richly simmered broth. I already knew how delicious it would be once the spicy seasoning soaked into every strand, which made the moment even more thrilling.

When the broth was bubbling gently, I tossed the prepared noodles into the pot. The seasoning began to soak in properly as the noodles cooked into a delicious-looking tangle. Simply watching them cook over high heat while releasing their savory aroma was satisfying. My husband and I agreed to lift them out and eat them while they were still pleasantly chewy.

We left the broth on the burner a little longer so even more flavor could seep out from the fish bones, then lifted the cooked noodles into bowls first. The bouncy noodles had absorbed the spicy, refreshing broth perfectly—they were truly excellent. My husband slurped them down so eagerly that he could barely pause. A mouthful of the hot noodles melted away all the fatigue that had built up during the day.

After finishing every noodle, we looked into the pot and found it full of sudeogi, the fish bones and meat left for picking. There was plenty of fish flesh clinging to the bones, so it was easy to enjoy right through to the end with the rich broth. It was quite a lot of food, but the broth was so rich and tasty that the two of us finished every last bit. With that delicious final soup, we patted our full stomachs and savored the deep flavor worthy of a celebrated Bandal Island sashimi restaurant.

The fish tanks and a lively evening atmosphere

After finishing our meal completely satisfied, we also looked at the neatly arranged fish tanks near the entrance. The water was very clean, and the live fish swimming inside looked full of energy, so I could see why everything tasted so fresh. Seeing the hygienic, well-kept environment with my own eyes made me trust the place even more. I was sure that the next time I craved seafood, I would come back without hesitation.

As evening deepened, the restaurant grew even busier with diners enjoying generous meals. The neighborhood’s old quiet character is a fond memory too, but sharing delicious food with my husband in this lively atmosphere felt newly moving. With its large dining space and well-planned seating, it would also be perfect for a group gathering or company dinner. Thanks to the kind guidance, we were able to relax and finish our meal comfortably.

The restaurant exterior stood out under its bright lights as we left full and happy. It was a perfect day of revisiting memories from our dating days, exploring the transformed streets, and enjoying such a satisfying spread of food. We finished our meal in great spirits, with both generous portions and good value at this Ansan sashimi restaurant. If you are driving nearby or craving a clean, Japanese-style Bandal Island sashimi meal, do not hesitate to stop by at least once!