Changwon Korean restaurant with braised beef ribs: Masan Ssamjangjip

A generous Korean table found in Haeun-dong, Masan

Today, I’m sharing my visit to Masan Ssamjangjip (마산쌈장집), where I went when I was craving a generously laid Korean meal! Neatly plated food in small portions is lovely these days too, but sometimes you just want a table filled with side dishes, hot rice, and meat to tuck into properly, right? That’s how I ended up at Masan Ssamjangjip in Haeun-dong, Masan, while looking for a good Korean set meal.

Location, parking, and opening hours

The address is 2F, 65 Haean-daero, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 to 21:00, closed Monday and Tuesday, with a break from 14:00 to 17:00. For parking, use the Haeyang Park parking lot across from the restaurant.

It is also fairly close to Kyungnam University and Daetgeori, so it was a convenient spot for anyone looking for a Korean set meal around Daetgeori.

A comfortable atmosphere for family meals

Inside, the restaurant was clean and comfortable, decorated with old-fashioned items you might see in the countryside, such as mother-of-pearl pieces, A-frame carriers, and clocks. It felt easygoing enough for a family meal. It also looked like a nice choice for a filling meal with parents or a visit with a larger group.

Here is the menu for reference. We ordered the braised beef ribs straight away.

A table of around 30 side dishes and braised beef ribs

Around 30 different side dishes kept arriving.

The moment the food appeared, its appetizing look immediately caught my eye. The generous basic side dishes came together with lots of savory flavor, so I didn’t get tired of them and kept reaching for more.

It was so fun pairing each of the different side dishes with the meal: a bite of rib, a bite of banchan (Korean side dish), then a spoonful of hot rice, then another piece of rib. Eating a bit of everything really made it feel like I was enjoying a proper Korean table, and I was very satisfied.

Glossy braised beef ribs and white rice

The braised beef ribs! Tender-cooked ribs arrived in a glossy sauce, and the moment I saw them, I naturally pulled my bowl of rice closer. Haha. I picked up a piece while it was hot, and the meat was more tender and easy to eat than I expected. White rice really is the perfect partner for braised beef ribs! A spoonful of hot rice topped with a piece of rib and lightly coated in sauce was so good.

Special ssamjang and accompanying dishes

Their special ssamjang (seasoned soybean dipping paste)! Add a little of it and take a big bite, and your mouth is very happy.

Seafood doenjang soup, acorn jelly and vegetable salad! Braised ribs, stir-fried handmade tofu!

The large chive pancake and seasonal seasoned greens were delicious mixed into bibimbap (mixed rice). Yum yum!

Ssam vegetables, Hangang ramen, and dessert

You also cannot leave out eating it with ssam vegetables. Put a little rice and a piece of braised beef rib on the fresh greens, and the rich meat flavor meets the refreshing crunch of the vegetables for a different way to enjoy it.

We also enjoyed some refreshing Hangang ramen.

We finished with fruit, rice cakes, and snacks for dessert! The fruit was varied, fresh, and tasty, and there were generous portions of rice cakes, peanuts, and stick snacks too. With so many side dishes, I think it would be nice to visit with parents so everyone can choose this and that. If you enjoy Korean food that lets you savor a variety of side dishes, rice, and meat rather than just one menu item, I think everyone will be pleased, so I recommend Masan Ssamjangjip~