Fresh sashimi platter and live octopus hot pot in Yeongtong, Suwon: Susan Jang

A Yeongtong, Suwon seafood spot with seasonal sashimi and live octopus hot pot

It had been a while since I wanted proper fresh seafood and sashimi, so I headed to Susan Jang Suwon Yeongtong Branch.

This time, instead of ordering a bunch of single dishes, I went big with the Susan Jang seasonal mixed sashimi special and the live octopus yeonpotang (hot pot).

Bottom line up front: what I loved most was getting to try a wide range of seasonal seafood in one spread. If you like tasting a little bit of everything — not just sashimi but abalone, scallops and more — this combo is worth checking out.

🌳 A distinctive wood-clad exterior

Susan Jang Suwon Yeongtong Branch has a pretty distinctive vibe right from the entrance. It's decked out with log timber and wooden doors, giving it more of an izakaya feel than your typical sashimi restaurant.

There was a chalkboard out front listing the day's recommended dishes. We were hoping to get shrimp that day, but it was already sold out! Popular items seem to run out if you arrive a bit late, which was a small letdown.

🏮 An interior with a view into the open kitchen

Inside, the wood-toned decor continued, making for a cozy atmosphere. The open kitchen sits right next to the tables, so you can watch the dishes being prepared.

Up on the walls were seafood illustrations and rows of liquor bottles, adding a bit of that Japanese pub feel. It's a great setting for pairing sashimi and seafood with a drink!

🐟 The Susan Jang seasonal mixed sashimi special — a showstopper from the first look

The star of the day was, without question, the Susan Jang seasonal mixed sashimi special. Apparently we were the last order for that too — it sold out right after we placed our order.

A huge plate landed on the table, and it commanded attention immediately. Thick-cut sashimi took center stage, surrounded by a generous heap of abalone, scallops, and more.

What I loved most was that it wasn't just one kind of sashimi on repeat. The texture varied completely depending on the cut and the seafood, so it was fun picking through piece by piece.

The sashimi was very fresh and cut fairly thick, with a chewy texture that got better the more you chewed.

The abalone was springy and firm, while the scallops were soft with a subtle sweetness — each had its own distinct charm.

The scallops in particular came served in their large shells, and the size really caught my eye. If you enjoy sampling a bit of many kinds of seafood, a mixed platter like this will likely satisfy you more than ordering several single dishes.

The sea cucumber, which I hadn't had in a while, was really tasty too. It was fresh enough that you could pick up a gentle sweetness.

Once again, freshness really is everything when it comes to seafood.

🐙 Whole live octopus dropped right in! The yeonpotang

Sashimi alone is good, but I always think it's better with a warm broth alongside it. That's why we also ordered the live octopus yeonpotang (hot pot).

The pot came loaded with plenty of bean sprouts, vegetables, and mushrooms, with a whole live octopus going in as well.

The broth arrived first, and once it started boiling, a staff member dropped the whole live octopus in for us.

As the octopus cooked, the broth picked up that clean, briny seafood flavor, and paired with the crunchy bean sprouts, it made the perfect finish after the sashimi. The octopus was best eaten just after it reached the right doneness, rather than overcooked — that's when the springy, bouncy texture really came through.

If the mixed sashimi was all about cold, chewy textures, the yeonpotang wrapped things up with a warm, clean broth — I was glad we ordered both together.

❤️ A place I'd come back to whenever I'm craving a variety of seafood

Susan Jang Suwon Yeongtong Branch suits days when you want to enjoy seasonal sashimi alongside a whole range of seafood, rather than just sashimi on its own.

The seasonal mixed sashimi special alone had plenty of variety in flavor and texture to keep things interesting, and following it up with the octopus yeonpotang made the whole meal feel like a course, moving from cold sashimi to hot broth.

Missing out on the shrimp was a small disappointment until the very end, but I'll just leave that as a reason to come back! 😊

If you're looking for a spot in Yeongtong, Suwon, to enjoy a generous mixed sashimi platter, fresh seafood, and octopus hot pot all in one sitting, this is worth a visit. My combo was the 'Susan Jang seasonal mixed sashimi special + live octopus yeonpotang' — great for a group to share and pick through together.