Non-spicy anglerfish restaurant in Jinju: mild agu-jjim at Yangpohang

Can spice-averse people eat agu-jjim in Pyeonggeo-dong, Jinju?

Yes! Yangpohang Jinju Pyeonggeo Branch (양포항 진주평거점) has a mild agu-jjim (braised anglerfish), so even people who can't handle spicy food can enjoy it. On a recent trip to Jinju, my husband and I went there for a tasty dinner.

We're both pretty bad with spicy food, so agu-jjim always looked delicious but never felt like something we could try. Then we heard this place has a mild version, so we visited, and we were really, really happy with it. 👍🏻 If you're hunting for an agu-jjim spot in Pyeonggeo-dong, I'd definitely give it a go.

What does the agu-jjim sauce taste like at Yangpohang Jinju Pyeonggeo Branch?

The sauce wasn't strongly salty, and it had a deep savory (umami) flavor. They say a great agu-jjim place is all about the sauce, right? This was exactly that kind of place. It was the kind of taste you keep eating.

The thick sauce soaked into every ingredient, so it never got bland or tiring to the very end, and it made us crave rice. My husband also normally can't do spicy food, but he kept eating and saying, "This place is really good." I have no idea how many times the two of us said "so good."

Atmosphere and seating at Yangpohang Jinju Pyeonggeo Branch

The restaurant is clean and the tables are well spaced, so it suits family gatherings too. The first thing I noticed when walking in was how tidy it was. The roomy spacing meant it never felt cramped, and the whole place felt pleasant, so eating there was really comfortable.

Above all, there's enough seating for a big group, so I think it would work well for a family get-together in Pyeonggeo-dong, Jinju.

What the two of us ordered, and the side dishes

The two of us ordered these two dishes at Yangpohang Jinju Pyeonggeo Branch:

• Agu-jjim (small), mild
• Fried rice

The side dishes came out neat and varied, so we were already happy before the meal began. A cool, clean-tasting soup came too, and it went really well with the agu-jjim.

Is the small agu-jjim enough for two?

The small agu-jjim was more generous than I expected for two people. It was packed with anglerfish and loaded with bean sprouts, so it made my mouth water just looking at it.

Is the mild agu-jjim really not spicy?

The mild agu-jjim was something even a spice-averse couple like us could eat without stress. My husband and I both really can't handle spice. A little heat makes us sweat and reach for water, so we were a bit worried when ordering, but the mild level was just right. The sauce was more savory than spicy, so we kept reaching for more.

From the first bite, the sauce had soaked moistly into the anglerfish and a rich flavor filled my mouth. It was sweet yet deeply savory, with a gentle heat rising faintly behind it, and not harsh at all.

Tender anglerfish with no fishy smell

The anglerfish was really tender. With just a light pinch of the chopsticks it came apart along the grain, and the soft, flaky texture melting in the mouth was wonderful. There was no fishy smell at all, so I think even people who don't usually like fish could enjoy it.

Paired with crunchy bean sprouts

The bean sprouts in the agu-jjim were still crunchy, and eaten with the sauce the texture was the best. Crunchy sprouts with tender anglerfish gave a nutty, savory taste that kept going the more I chewed, so every bite was satisfying. The sauce was so good that I kept picking at the bean sprouts on their own.

Should you order the fried rice after the agu-jjim?

Once you've eaten a good amount of the agu-jjim, definitely have fried rice made with the leftover sauce. Please don't leave without it. The fried rice is a must.

The rice stir-fried in the remaining sauce has a whole different charm, with the nutty aroma of seaweed flakes and sesame oil added. Each grain is evenly coated in sauce, so the more you chew, the more savory and umami it gets. The slightly scorched bits add a crispy texture and were so good. I was full but couldn't put my spoon down. Agu-jjim followed by fried rice feels like the proper way to finish.

Who we recommend Yangpohang Jinju Pyeonggeo Branch for

Yangpohang Jinju Pyeonggeo Branch was a really satisfying meal when we wanted something hearty. The portions are generous, the food comes out neatly, and the staff were friendly, so we had a lovely meal. Best of all, the mild option means spice-averse folks like us can enjoy it without worry.

I think it would also go over well when you can't decide what to eat today, when you want a special night out, or when you're looking for a place to take your parents. 🩷