Table Hour Keeper · 76 stories

A Table Hour in Jangsan

Writes about small restaurants and eateries around Busan and South Gyeongsang. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Changwon sashimi bar: ₩55,000 yellowtail, beef seaweed soup at Haegak

Haegak Bonggok (해각 봉곡점) is an izakaya-style sashimi restaurant in the heart of the Bonggok-dong food alley in Uichang-gu, Changwon. We ordered the winter-season large yellowtail (small size) for ₩55,000 and a spicy fish stew to finish. The side dishes included beef seaweed soup, and the yellowtail sashimi came with abalone, Japanese-style egg and ankimo (monkfish liver). Haegak Bonggok is a Changwon spot for winter yellowtail where you can see the fish in the entrance tank and try a range of cuts on one platter.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Changwon eel restaurant, lunch with grandma & mom: Daedo Jangeo

Daedo Jangeo (대도장어) is a grilled eel restaurant in Palyong-dong, Uichang-gu, Changwon, about a 5-minute walk from Changwon Station. The writer took grandma and mom for a restorative three-generation lunch and ordered the Daedo Jangeo lunch special for three at ₩18,000 per person, which came with seasoned sea eel served already grilled, a light eel soup and sikhye (sweet rice drink) for dessert. Daedo Jangeo is an easy, comfortable choice for a family eel lunch for three.

Written Nov 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Masan Korean BBQ for group dinners: egg yolk soy dip, Smile Hall

Smile Hall (스마일회관) is a retro-style frozen pork belly restaurant near the NC Park entrance in Sanho-dong, Masan, Changwon. At Smile Hall, the writer ordered 4 servings of domestic flash-frozen pork belly, bibim noodles (spicy cold mixed noodles) and rice; staff grilled the pork belly, which was eaten with egg yolk soy sauce, grilled kimchi, grilled garlic stems and the bibim noodles. With group tables, Smile Hall is a good choice for a company dinner or get-together.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Black pork neck BBQ in Changwon with free oyster kimchi: Jeju Doldam

Jeju Doldam Sangnam Main Branch (제주돌담 상남동본점) is a Jeju black pork charcoal BBQ restaurant on the first floor of the Earth Building in Sangnam-dong, Changwon. The writer ordered 400g of fresh Jeju black pork neck for ₩44,000, which staff grilled from start to finish, and also had the oyster kimchi Jeju Doldam handed out free to every table for oyster season, along with steamed egg. With roomy tables and a pleasant interior, Jeju Doldam is a reliable black pork spot for group dinners and get-togethers in Sangnam-dong.

Written Nov 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMilyang, GyeongnamRestaurants

Milyang Korean restaurant: boneless mackerel set for 2, ₩40,000, Ilpum

Ilpum Irojeong (일품 이로정) is a Korean restaurant specialising in sanghwang mushroom loach soup (chueotang), on the first floor of Beomchang Building in Naei-dong, Milyang, Gyeongnam. On a rainy evening the writer ordered Ilpum Irojeong's boiled pork and mackerel loach soup set for 2 (₩40,000) and a shredded potato pancake (₩10,000), and enjoyed the thick loach soup, the boneless grilled mackerel and the boiled pork with no gamey smell. Verdict: Ilpum Irojeong serves many dishes on one table, making it a good fit for family meals and group gatherings.

Written Nov 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGimhae, GyeongnamRestaurants

Yulha, Gimhae Korean BBQ: thick pork neck with Dasida salt at Godansu

Godansu Gimhae Yulha (고단수 김해율하점) is a newly opened Korean BBQ restaurant on the Yulha café street in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, where staff grill the meat for you from start to finish. On an early-evening reservation the writer ordered 4 servings of pork neck (130g for ₩13,000 per serving) and Andong Baek Jinju rice (2 bowls for ₩2,000). The highlights were the first bite of thick pork neck dipped in Dasida salt, the basil spinach pesto and a complimentary Japanese-style steamed egg. Godansu Gimhae Yulha is a Yulha BBQ spot worth visiting, but waits build quickly, so book on Naver first.

Written Nov 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Jinhae pork neck BBQ, 3 servings and yuja radish wraps: Anmin Jinhae

Anmin Jinhae (안민 진해) is a Korean BBQ restaurant at the entrance of the Seok-dong food alley in Jinhae-gu, Changwon, where staff grill the pork for you from start to finish. For dinner, the writer ordered 3 servings of fresh whole pork neck (39,000 won) with steamed egg and soft tofu stew served in a clay pot, and 14 side dishes and sauces plus a mini brazier kept everything warm to the last bite. For a filling dinner of pork neck and hot stew on a chilly day, Anmin Jinhae is a good fit.

Written Oct 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGimhae, GyeongnamRestaurants

Chinese restaurant in Gimhae: big whole chili shrimp set, Dongbaek

Dongbaek is a Chinese restaurant with private rooms on Gaya-ro in Dongsang-dong, Gimhae, with a main hall and its own parking. Craving spicy jjamppong on a rainy day, the writer ordered Dongbaek's chili shrimp set: big shrimp fried whole with only the heads removed, gan-jjajang (dry black bean noodles) made with fresh beef, and seafood jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup). Dongbaek's seafood jjamppong, loaded with seafood, was the writer's top pick.

Written Oct 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Changwon Korean BBQ full at 8pm: chewy pork skin platter at Hanpanjip

Hanpanjip Changwon Bonggok (한판집 창원봉곡점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant near City Seven in Bonggok-dong, Changwon, where staff grill 2-week-aged Korean pork (handon) separately and bring it to your table. After work, around 8pm, the writer ordered the small Hanpan platter of pork belly, pork neck and pork skin (600g, ₩39,900) with Gusuhan Chon doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), plus a free steamed egg and sides such as garlic salt and sesame sauce. With no smoke to deal with and nothing to do but eat, Hanpanjip Changwon Bonggok is a good-value pick for group dinners and family meals.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, BusanRestaurants

Quiet pho Mom rated above Vietnam's in Myeongji, Busan: Mibundang

Mibundang Myeongji Branch is a pho restaurant in Myeongji International New City, Gangseo-gu, Busan, known for quiet bar-style seating designed for calm meals. Over a late lunch, the writer and Mom shared brisket-and-flank pho, sliced beef brisket pho and an 8-piece assorted fried side, and the broth was free of strong exotic aromas and suited Korean tastes, so Mom said it was far better than the pho she had in Vietnam. Mibundang Myeongji Branch is worth a return visit for anyone who wants to enjoy pho quietly without heavy spices.

Written Jun 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGimhae, GyeongnamRestaurants

Weekend lunch pork BBQ in Jangyu, Gimhae: cold soy ramen, Anmin Yulha

Anmin Yulha is a fresh-pork Korean BBQ restaurant on Yulha Café Street in Jangyu, Gimhae, where staff grill the meat for you from start to finish. On a weekend lunch date at this often-revisited spot, the writer had 3 servings of fresh thick-cut pork neck (12,000 won per serving), Masitte soy cold ramen (6,000 won), instant pot rice for 2 (4,000 won) and premium steamed egg (3,000 won), with plenty of side dishes and roomy seating. For couples who want an easy weekend lunch of grilled pork, Anmin Yulha is a reliable choice.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceChangwon, GyeongnamRestaurants

Jinhae Western restaurant weekend lunch: basil rigatoni, Jinhae Siktak

Jinhae Siktak (진해식탁) is a Western restaurant on a hillside corner in Jaeun-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon, at 6 Naengcheonbuk-ro. For a weekend lunch at Jinhae Siktak we ordered the flap steak (32,900 won), jambon basil cream pasta (16,900 won) and shrimp rosé pasta (16,900 won); the flap steak served on a sizzling hot plate and the rigatoni with its gentle basil flavor stood out most. With a wood-and-rattan interior and floor-to-ceiling window views, Jinhae Siktak is a safe pick for a date or family meal in Jinhae.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored