Yangsan Korean restaurant: abalone porridge, pot rice at Wando Sanghoe

Wando Sanghoe (완도상회), the Yangsan abalone porridge spot. For summer stamina, abalone is the way to go!

Looking for abalone porridge in Yangsan as a summer health food?

This summer's heat is something else, isn't it? With the hot weather dragging on, I've lost my appetite and my energy drops easily. At times like this, what comes to mind is abalone porridge in Yangsan! It's good for you and a filling meal, so I really recommend it for a family outing.

The summer health-food place I'm introducing is Wando Sanghoe Mulgeum Station Main Branch. You can enjoy a range of abalone dishes, from abalone porridge to abalone nutritious pot rice and abalone mulhoe, either as single items or as a big full-course spread.

Is there a wait at Wando Sanghoe on a weekday evening?

Wando Sanghoe was full even at 7 p.m. on a weekday. We were really lucky to get the very last seat, and right after we walked in it was packed, so the customers after us had to wait.

Weekday or weekend, lunch or dinner, it's full of customers every time I visit, which reminded me once again that Wando Sanghoe is already a well-known abalone restaurant by word of mouth in Yangsan.

What 3 people ordered, and the basic table setting

Three of us visited, and each ordered to our own taste.

• Abalone porridge
• Abalone nutritious pot rice
• Abalone mulhoe (noodles chosen)

After you order, Wando Sanghoe first brings out 10 side dishes and a refreshingly hot mussel soup as the basic setting. The basic spread alone was so satisfying that my expectations grew before the meal even started.

Refilled twice: braised abalone innards and braised octopus

You could feel the care in every side dish, but the braised abalone innards (jangjorim) were especially rich and savory, a true rice thief. The chewy braised octopus was also so good that we refilled both of them.

How does the abalone porridge at Wando Sanghoe taste?

The first thing we tried was the abalone porridge, and just looking at it you could tell the abalone was added without holding back. It was full of finely chopped abalone, so every spoonful brought up abalone, and the deep, rich flavor of the abalone innards soaked through the whole porridge, leaving a savory aftertaste.

With its smooth texture, it was a top-notch bowl that goes down easily when you have no appetite or need a health boost.

Abalone nutritious pot rice with generous, large abalone

The abalone nutritious pot rice was also better than expected. The rice, freshly cooked in a stone pot, glistened, and with big pieces of abalone generously on top, I couldn't help exclaiming when I saw it. The chewy texture and savory flavor of the abalone soaked into every grain of rice, and with moist mushrooms too, it made a hearty meal.

Summer specialty abalone mulhoe: rice or noodles? We chose noodles

At Wando Sanghoe you can choose rice or noodles for the abalone mulhoe, and we ordered noodles. The sweet-and-sour, cold broth revived appetites worn down by the heat, and the abalone, plentiful alongside fresh vegetables, was really tender and fresh. The chewy noodles, cold broth and abalone texture came together, and I thought this is a must-try dish in summer.

Worth recommending as a health-food restaurant near Hwangsan Park?

Generous portions with abalone added without holding back, plus carefully made side dishes: every dish was satisfying at Wando Sanghoe, the Yangsan abalone porridge restaurant.

If you're looking for a good place to eat after a walk or water play at Hwangsan Park, I confidently recommend Wando Sanghoe. Satisfaction was so high that after one visit you immediately understand why it's always full.

I'd like to come back next time with my parents too. If you want a health-food meal with no regrets, do stop by Wando Sanghoe!

Wando Sanghoe location and opening hours

• Address: 30-17 Gachon-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam (1st floor)
• Mon–Sat: 11:30–22:00 (break time 15:00–17:00)
• Sunday: 15:00–21:00