Turmeric rice and sanghwang broth loach soup, Milyang: Ilpum Irojeong

After a summer of brutal heat, the weather has finally turned pleasantly cool — perfect for an outing. When my husband and I need to recharge our energy for health reasons, we like to seek out a well-made loach soup. So after a weekend dawn hike in the cool weather, we decided to take a drive and try Ilpum Irojeong, a restaurant specializing in South Jeolla-style loach soup in Milyang.

What does the name Ilpum Irojeong mean?

I (理, "to govern") / Ro (老, "elderly") / Jeong (亭, "pavilion"). South Jeolla-style loach soup was already unusual to find in Milyang, but the name stood out too. It's said to mean a place where you're cared for and nourished with health food that benefits the body.

Maybe that's why, even with a waiting line and a full house, the place never felt chaotic or uncomfortable. We ordered the signature menu — the Boiled Pork + Mackerel Sanghwang Loach Soup Set for two.

Next time I'd love to try the whole octopus seafood pancake, made with an entire octopus. When the table was set, the neat and careful presentation drew an immediate "wow" out of me.

My honest review: the loach soup, made with Sanghwang mushroom broth and domestic loach, was genuinely rich and deep. Combined with the tender boiled pork, the crispy-yet-moist grilled mackerel, and the side dishes — especially the refreshing radish kkakdugi — everything came together beautifully. I understood right away why this set is so popular.

Where is Ilpum Irojeong? 2 minutes by car from Milyang City Hall, with private rooms

Ilpum Irojeong sits just a 2-minute drive from Milyang City Hall. Milyang is actually where I was born, and my parents and sisters grew up there too, so the area is full of memories for me.

Though it faces a main road, the exterior was clean and tidy. Inside, the space was spacious, with private rooms available for groups, and the restrooms were kept spotless — nothing about the visit felt inconvenient.

Throughout the meal, I noticed a steady stream of both elderly guests and younger diners walking in, which made me think, "ah, this is truly a local favorite." It seems like a great spot to bring family or parents. There's a wait during lunch peak hours, but the seating and ordering process moved so systematically and quickly that it never felt like a hassle.

What comes with the Boiled Pork + Mackerel Sanghwang Loach Soup Set (18,000 won per person)?

As soon as we sat down, they served us a refreshing cold tea brewed from Sanghwang mushroom.

The moment our order arrived, the vivid colors and neat presentation warmed my heart.

Turmeric rice and South Jeolla-style loach soup

Lift the lid and the vivid yellow turmeric rice catches your eye right away. Unlike the clear Gyeongsang-style loach soup, this restaurant's version is South Jeolla-style — simmered in Sanghwang mushroom broth with dried radish greens and loach for a rich, deep flavor. Best of all, it wasn't too heavily seasoned, and the long-simmered depth made it genuinely gentle on the stomach.

Tender boiled pork and two grilled mackerel

Top a piece of tender boiled pork with crunchy, salty pickled peppers, place it over the turmeric rice, and take a big bite — the combination is truly exceptional!

The grilled mackerel — crisp outside, moist inside — was perfectly seasoned, and they served us two generous pieces. Thanks to the hearty side dishes and rich soup, my husband ended up polishing off two full bowls of turmeric rice.

If any side dish runs low, you can freely refill it at the self-serve side dish counter. Usually, no matter how good a meal is, eating out can leave your stomach feeling heavy that evening or at night — but last night, I woke up mid-sleep and thought, "huh, my stomach actually feels fine." I can confidently vouch for how gentle and settling this food is, even after eating.

We enjoyed it so much that before we knew it, our rice bowls were completely empty! An empty bowl is proof of a truly great restaurant.

Dessert corner and the Naver receipt review gift

After finishing the meal, we headed to the dessert corner set up for guests.

The crispy, nutty rice puffs cleansed our palate, and the sweet, cool pumpkin sikhye (sweet rice punch) and rich sujeonggwa (cinnamon-persimmon punch) rounded things off perfectly as a finishing drink.

If you leave a Naver receipt review along with a photo of your main dish, you'll receive a free bag of purple sweet potato heart-shaped rice puffs worth ₩4,000.

Make sure to mention it to the staff and claim yours — the heart-shaped rice puffs are worth trying.

Before you visit Ilpum Irojeong

• Location: 1F Beomchang Building, 75-1 Baengmin-ro, Milyang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (2-minute drive from Milyang City Hall)
• Hours: Daily 11:00–21:00 (closed only on Chuseok holiday), break time 3:30–5:00 pm
• Reserve a private room in advance
• Convenient parking: about 4 spots right in front of the restaurant, plus free public parking lots beside and across the building if those are full

What to see nearby: Yeongnamnu Pavilion and Wiyangji Pond

After a hearty, nourishing meal, the location was also perfect for a walk around the area.

Less than a 3-minute drive from the restaurant is the serene Yeongnamnu Pavilion overlooking the Milyang River — a great spot for a light post-meal stroll in the river breeze. There's public parking at the entrance. About a 10-minute drive away is Wiyangji Pond, where willow trees reflected on the water create a mysterious, quiet scene — a wonderful place for a calm, healing walk.

With private rooms available, it's a great spot for a cozy family meal, and the experience flows seamlessly from a neat, wholesome meal to a thoughtful dessert to a nearby walking course. If you're looking for a hearty, stomach-friendly gathering or meal spot in Milyang, I recommend it^^