Daebyeon Port anchovy ssambap set in Gijang, Busan: Namhang Hoetjip

The hot, long summer has passed and now it's that lovely season of warm sunshine and cool breezes, when I want to travel somewhere and eat something delicious at the same time.

Wanting to heal a bit while looking out at the now slightly quieter open sea, I visited Namhang Hoetjip, a 40-year-old Gijang institution known to be right in front of Daebyeon Port.

Namhang Hoetjip basics: location, hours and parking

• Address: 572 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
• Hours: 10:30–21:30 (last order 20:25) *may close earlier on Sundays
• Break time: None
• Regular closed day: Every Thursday
• Parking: Large private lot

40 years at Daebyeon Port and 14 straight Blue Ribbon listings

Until recently I thought it had made the Blue Ribbon guide for 9 straight years, but I was surprised to learn it's actually been chosen every single year since 2013 — 14 years running! At this point, is this even just a Gijang restaurant, or a national one? Haha.

Window ocean-view seats and 120 seats for groups

Namhang Hoetjip, standing right in front of Daebyeon Port for 40 years, has a warm and cozy interior — deep wood-toned tables, black leather-style chairs, and vintage bulb lights hanging from the ceiling all add a nice atmospheric touch.

From a window seat, the fishing boats docked at Daebyeon Port, the blue sea, and the mountains behind it all spread out beautifully — my eyes were happy the whole meal.

The tables are spaced generously so you don't have to worry about the next table over, and with 60 seats each on the 2nd and 3rd floors — 120 group seats in total — it also seems like a great spot for gatherings.

Namhang Hoetjip menu: from course meals to anchovy sets

This Gijang favorite has been featured on several Korean TV shows including 6 시내고향, 생방송 투데이 and MBC's 금요와이드, known for its anchovy dishes and seafood in general.

Looking over the menu on the wall, there was everything from fresh raw fish to hearty rice dishes to generous course meals.

The course meals include the 'Gijang Course' and 'Namhang Course,' which let you try anchovy dishes, assorted raw fish, abalone hoe (raw abalone), and hagfish all in one sitting, plus specialty sets like the spicy anchovy stew set, anchovy ssambap set, and anchovy mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) set.

There's a lot of variety depending on your taste — rock bream, black porgy, and halibut/rockfish assorted raw fish platters, straw-fire and seasoned hagfish, hoe jeongsik (raw fish set meal), and even gizzard shad dishes that are in season right now.

What comes in the 20,000-won anchovy ssambap set

Among all the options, I ordered the anchovy ssambap set, priced in the ₩20,000 range per person, packed with raw anchovy, grilled anchovy, braised anchovy with radish, rice, and side dishes.

As soon as I ordered, a staff member set the table with practiced skill, and the anchovy ssambap set looked so good it made my mouth water.

Raw anchovy: nutty, no fishy smell, soft fine bones

The raw anchovy, piled high on a big plate, was tossed in red seasoning with cabbage, perilla leaves, and green onion — it caught my eye immediately.

This was my first time trying raw anchovy, and it had absolutely no fishy taste — the more I chewed, the nuttier it got. The anchovies were just the right size, not too small or too big, easy to eat, and the small bones were incredibly soft — like they'd been removed entirely, with zero odd texture when chewing.

Wrapping the sweet-and-spicy seasoned raw anchovy together with crunchy vegetables, the fresh, healthy taste of the sea filled my mouth.

Grilled anchovy and anchovy braised with radish

The grilled anchovy and braised anchovy with radish included in the set were also standouts.

The grilled anchovy, cooked to a delicious crisp almost like it was fried, came out on a cast-iron pan and stayed warm and crunchy until the very last bite — dipped in wasabi, the nutty flavor and sharp kick went really well together.

The braised anchovy with radish, soaked through with a spicy sauce, had a deep, savory kick that had me finishing a whole bowl of rice in no time — a true rice thief.

What to know before visiting Namhang Hoetjip

If you're driving, you can comfortably use the private lot in front of the restaurant or the public parking lot at Daebyeon Port. Valet parking is also available, so you can visit without any parking stress.

There's a free drink for writing a Naver photo review, and if you make a Naver reservation and leave a photo review, you get a 5% discount — be sure to take advantage of that.

The entrance has a board listing that day's recommended fresh catch and menu picks, so it's worth checking before you order for an even more satisfying meal.

Nationwide delivery is available, so you can enjoy the fresh taste of the sea comfortably at home even without visiting in person.

After paying on the first floor, I'd also recommend grabbing a coffee and taking a walk around Daebyeon Port~

Is the Daebyeon Port anchovy set worth it?

In the end, Namhang Hoetjip is a traditional restaurant that has made the Blue Ribbon guide 14 years running, and it feels like a great fit for taking your parents out for a family meal or for anyone wanting to enjoy special local food with a wide-open ocean view. How about enjoying a taste of the sea this weekend at Namhang Hoetjip, a Gijang favorite full of fresh anchovy dishes?