Jecheon Korean restaurant for spicy marinated crab: Maeun Gieok

This place was right near my accommodation, and here’s my review after having a drink with its signature spicy marinated crab. Today I went to Maeun Gieok (매운기억), a great Korean restaurant and bar near Jecheon Terminal.

Maeun Gieok near Jecheon Terminal: location and visitor information

It is down the alley behind Jungang Park. This Jecheon Terminal favorite was easy to find on the main road thanks to its white sign. There is also a menu board at the entrance, so you can check it out beforehand.

Hours are daily from 16:30 until 03:00 the next day. The bus terminal, Jungang Market, and other bars are all nearby, so this Jecheon bar is very convenient :) Since it stays open until 3 a.m., it is perfect for a proper drink with food or a quick second stop. Takeaway and delivery are available too, just so you know.

This phrase was written on one wall of the restaurant, and you can really tell how serious the owner is about spicy food. The sauce can easily get on you while eating, so feel free to use the aprons provided ( ᐛ )

A relaxed atmosphere for group visits

The interior is spacious and a little dim, with soft lighting dotted around, making it just right for drinks. Most tables seat four, but joining them together accommodates up to eight, so this Jecheon bar is comfortable for groups too.

You can order comfortably from a tablet at your table, and each table has a container, utensils, and napkins ready to use. One point I personally liked: Jecheon local currency, Moa, can be used for payment too 🤍

The menu includes chicken feet, seasoned dishes, grilled dishes, hot pots, pasta, and even bingsu (shaved ice), so it is a nice Jecheon Terminal spot where you can enjoy dessert in the same place too ·͜· There are simple snacks as well, making it great for a second round. Customers kept coming in, so I recommend reserving ahead for a group visit.

The spicy marinated crab and salt gimbap combination

The complimentary snacks arrived after ordering 🍽 There were two simple things—crisp pickled vegetables and danmuji (pickled yellow radish). They tasted just like something you would eat at home, which was lovely, and were perfect with a drink before the food arrived 🥺

I ordered the spicy level, so I coated my stomach with a refreshing beer before eating. They have draft beer too, so beer lovers will be happy here. A somaek (soju-and-beer mix) midway through the meal would be just right.

Spicy marinated crab

✓ Spicy marinated crab (38.0) The seasoned crab looked spicy even at first glance 🦀 You can choose the heat level; I ordered spicy. I was told it is Gusan, Jeolla-style, with a lightly saucy broth. It came out quickly, which was nice, and the onions and chili peppers inside gave it a crisp bite.

Everything was cut into easy-to-eat pieces. Just a light press with your hand and the crabmeat spills right out 🫶 It melted softly in my mouth, followed by the house special seasoning sauce at the end—such a stress-relieving flavor. It would be great to take away and eat at home or at your accommodation too.

Here is the tip: salt gimbap (seasoned seaweed rice roll) is an absolute must. It has a furikake-like topping and is seasoned enough to enjoy on its own, but putting the picked crabmeat on top? Say no more. Dipping it into the saucy broth is another treat, and eating it with onion adds even more texture—so good. It is such a winning combination that everyone seemed to order salt gimbap with it ( ˙༥˙ )

The restaurant was in the alley right behind my accommodation. It was a Jecheon favorite with a constant stream of dine-in and delivery orders; the crabs were meaty, and above all, the house seasoning was delicious because the heat did not taste like capsaicin 😋