Gangneung sashimi restaurant with labeled cuts: Haesong Hoetjip

My husband and I took a little getaway to Gangneung recently for a change of pace, haha. There are so many great spots in Gangneung, but if you're by the sea, fresh sashimi is basically mandatory!?

Today I'm bringing you the review of the Jumunjin sashimi restaurant I was seriously so happy with on this trip — Haesong Hoetjip!

Where Haesong Hoetjip is and when it opens

Haesong Hoetjip is inside Jumunjin Fish Market at 3 Sijang 2-gil, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. It's open daily from 10 a.m., closed every other Monday.

Among the countless great restaurants in Gangneung, this place had such good reviews that we went in with high expectations. We decided to do takeout so we could eat comfortably back at our accommodation.

Parking at Jumunjin and how to find Haesong Hoetjip

The easiest way to get to Haesong Hoetjip is to park at Jumunjin Coastal Parking Tower and walk. Once you leave the parking lot, head into the alley marked by the whale sculpture above the Jumunjin Fish Market sign.

Let me start with the parking tips first!

We parked at Jumunjin Coastal Parking Tower and walked from there.

Coming out of the parking lot, you'll see a huge Jumunjin Fish Market sign — and right above it stands a giant whale sculpture that's impossible to miss! 🐳🐳

Head straight into the alley toward the fish market near that whale sculpture, and you'll immediately spot Haesong Hoetjip's clean sign. Even directionally challenged people can find it right away — great first impression, haha (I'm terrible with directions, so this really helped 🫢🫢).

The fish tanks at the entrance and the menu board

Right at the entrance of Haesong Hoetjip there's a large, spotlessly clean tank. It's full of live fish and plenty of Jumunjin snow crab too.

As soon as we reached the entrance, that big, immaculately kept tank greeted us first. Inside were not just fresh live fish but tons of fresh Jumunjin snow crab too!! 🦀🦀 The water was so clean and clear it instantly built my trust in the place. 🩵

There's also a neat menu board mounted above the tank outside.

While waiting for our takeout, I noticed a lot of customers already enjoying their meals inside! Many were digging into snow crab in particular — 'ah, this must be a crab spot too,' I thought, and made a mental note to try the crab next time. Hahaha.

Omakase assorted sashimi (medium): every cut labeled by hand

What we picked up was the omakase assorted sashimi (medium), a size that was plenty for two people. What I loved most, though, was that every single sashimi was labeled with its name and cut right on the plastic wrap.

We rushed the takeout back to our accommodation and started getting ready to eat. The moment we opened the package, I honestly let out a little scream! 🫢 Usually with Jumunjin or Gangneung sashimi takeout, you have no idea what fish you're actually eating — you just go 'mm, chewy' and eat it. (Is it just me, haha?)

But at Haesong Hoetjip, the owner had carefully written out the name and cut of each and every type of sashimi on the plastic wrap!

I was genuinely touched by how thoughtful and considerate it was — even the specialty cuts were clearly marked ㅠㅠ👍👍 Knowing exactly what cut you're eating really deepens the flavor, and it doubles the fun of eating, haha.

How thick was the sashimi, and what came in the takeout box?

The assorted sashimi from Haesong Hoetjip was generously portioned for two, and it was sliced neither too thick nor too thin. It came with vinegar-chili sauce, soy sauce, makjang dipping sauce, lettuce wraps, garlic, and chili peppers.

The portion for the two of us was so generous, you could really feel the owner's generosity, hahaha.

The sashimi itself was sliced just right — not too thick, not too thin — so every bite had a springy, chewy texture and nutty flavor filling my mouth. The freshness was truly on another level!!!!

The sides were also really thoughtful — vinegar-chili sauce, soy sauce, nutty makjang, plus fresh lettuce, garlic, and chili peppers, all generously included so we had absolutely no complaints and thoroughly enjoyed it. 😆

Dipping it in the nutty makjang and wrapping it in lettuce made the drinks flow so smoothly...

Book ahead for free shrimp and whelk

If you pre-book before visiting Haesong Hoetjip, they'll give you free shrimp and whelk as a service. We pre-booked and got them too.

The shrimp and whelk we got from pre-booking 🦐🦐 Here's a little tip for anyone planning to visit!! Haha.

💡 Little tip — If you pre-book ahead of your visit, they'll give you free shrimp and whelk as a service! Definitely book in advance so you don't miss out on this generous extra. 🤍

Can you see how thick the sashimi cuts are..? Seriously so good,,, ✨✨ The complimentary whelk dipped in the chili sauce was also amazing, haha. The more we picked apart each part of the meal, the more we could feel the owner's care and generosity — my husband and I just kept marveling the whole time, hahaha. Best meal of the Gangneung trip!

Verdict: would we order from Haesong Hoetjip again?

• Taste & freshness: the sashimi was glossy and chewy, seriously amazing 🐟 — and the thoughtfulness of labeling each type and cut was so touching!
• Service & tips: pre-booking is a must! 💡 Book ahead and they throw in extras 🦐
• Location & parking: park at Jumunjin Coastal Parking Tower 🚗, then head into the alley by the whale sculpture at the market entrance — even the directionally challenged can find it easily 🐳
• Would I return: 200%!

Taste and freshness were a given, but the thoughtful, careful labeling of every sashimi cut made this place feel truly complete. If you're looking for a reliably fresh sashimi restaurant near Jumunjin Fish Market, or great sashimi takeout to enjoy comfortably at your accommodation, definitely visit Haesong Hoetjip! Among all the sashimi restaurants in Gangneung, I'd recommend this one hands down as the best.