Tag: Sashimi

Samda Tong Galchi Jungmun: Whole Grilled Hairtail in Jeju

In short

Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi is a hairtail specialist at the entrance to Jungmun Tourist Complex in Seogwipo, a few minutes’ drive from the big Jungmun hotels. The whole grilled Jeju hairtail set for two (₩70,000, about $50) comes with raw hairtail, grilled okdom, soy sauce crab and stone pot rice, and the staff debone the fish for you. Open daily 11:00 to 21:00 with free parking in front.

Coming to Jeju and not eating galchi? That just feels wrong. Hairtail is one of the foods I always want on the island, and there are plenty of places selling it. This time I picked one known for a huge set menu, and I went in with high hopes.

Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi in Jungmun did not let me down. The set looked like a lot of money on paper, and I honestly wondered if ₩70,000 for two was too much. Then the table filled up, and I stopped wondering. Here is what came out, what it costs now, and how to get there.

Quick facts

Korean name중문삼다통갈치 (Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi)
Address1F, 23 Saekdaljungang-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju
제주 서귀포시 색달중앙로 23 1층
Getting thereAt the entrance to Jungmun Tourist Complex; about 40 minutes by car from Jeju Airport and 3 minutes from the main Jungmun resort hotels
HoursDaily 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:00)
PriceGrilled hairtail sets from ₩70,000 for two; solo abalone seafood stew with rice ₩13,000
Good forA proper Jeju seafood dinner, groups, anyone staying in Jungmun
Phone0507-1351-1960
ParkingFree, about 12 spaces in front of the restaurant, plus a nearby overflow lot
BookingNaver booking for 1 to 68 people; high chairs available
MapNaver Map

Finding it

The restaurant sits right where you turn into the Jungmun Tourist Complex, on the south side of the island in Seogwipo. If you are staying at one of the big Jungmun resorts, it is about a 3-minute drive. From Jeju Airport, allow around 40 minutes by car. The restaurant suggests putting “서귀포 색달동 23” into your navigation app.

Look for the gray building with the blue sign reading 삼다통갈치 in white. There is free parking for about 12 cars directly in front. Naver Place notes that valet parking can be slow when it is very busy, and there is a nearby lot at 25 Saekdaljungang-ro that the restaurant also supports.

📍 Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi (중문삼다통갈치), 1F, 23 Saekdaljungang-ro, Seogwipo-si · Naver Map · Google Maps

Storefront of Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi, a hairtail restaurant at the entrance to Jungmun Tourist Complex in Seogwipo — The storefront at the Jungmun entrance.

Inside it is a big, bright dining room with long wooden tables. Each table has a long metal tray down the middle, which is where the hairtail platter goes.

Dining room with long wooden tables and metal center trays at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi — The dining room.

What is galchi?

Galchi (갈치) is hairtail, also called beltfish: a long, flat, silver fish that Jeju is famous for. Here it is grilled whole and served on a long platter. The flesh is soft and mild, and it is not spicy at all when grilled. The catch is the bones, which is why the deboning service here matters.

What we ordered

I ordered the whole grilled Jeju hairtail set for two (제주산 통 갈치구이 2인, ₩70,000). It is not just a fish on a plate. The set came as a full table: perilla seed seaweed soup, stone pot rice made to order, raw hairtail, kimchi pancake, soy sauce marinated crab and grilled okdom, plus side dishes.

Grilled whole hairtail set for two with okdom, kimchi pancake and side dishes at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi — The set for two, before the hairtail was deboned.

1. Whole grilled hairtail (통갈치구이, tong galchi gui)

The best part of the meal started before I even took a bite. A staff member came over and took the bones out for me. A lot of people avoid hairtail because picking out the fine bones is a chore, but here I could just pull off the soft flesh and eat.

Staff member deboning a whole grilled hairtail at the table at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi — Deboning the hairtail at the table.

The fish itself was really fresh. The skin was crisp, the flesh was tender, and the more I chewed, the more savory it got. The salt was just right: not salty, clean, with a nutty richness. This is what Jeju hairtail should taste like.

2. Raw hairtail (갈치회, galchi hoe)

Most people eat hairtail grilled or braised, so raw hairtail is a special treat, and one you will mostly find in Jeju. If you think of sashimi as firm and chewy, this is different: very soft and a little sweet, with a gentle, slightly oily richness that builds as you chew. Honestly, this alone made me want to come back to Jeju.

Slice of raw hairtail sashimi (galchi hoe) with dipping sauces at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi — A slice of galchi hoe with dipping sauces.

3. Grilled okdom (옥돔구이, okdom gui)

Okdom is Jeju red tilefish, a prized local fish. The grilled one in the set had no fishy taste at all, just a light, clean flavor. Getting a second grilled fish in the same set is a big part of why the price makes sense.

Grilled okdom (Jeju red tilefish) on a wooden plate at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi — Grilled okdom.

4. Soy sauce crab (간장게장, ganjang gejang)

Raw crab marinated in soy sauce. It was not salty, more sweet and deeply savory, the kind of side dish Koreans call a “rice thief” because you keep reaching for more rice. The kimchi pancake (김치전, kimchijeon) on the same table was crisp outside and soft inside, and I could not stop at one piece.

Soy sauce marinated crab (ganjang gejang) side dish at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi — Ganjang gejang.

5. Perilla seed seaweed soup and stone pot rice (들깨미역국 · 즉석솥밥)

At many fish restaurants the soup is an afterthought. Not here. The perilla seed seaweed soup (deulkkae miyeokguk) was rich and nutty, and it felt like real care went into the broth. The rice is cooked to order in a stone pot, so it arrives hot with that fresh-rice aroma. The menu lists the pot rice as included free with the sets.

Perilla seed seaweed soup (deulkkae miyeokguk) at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi — Perilla seed seaweed soup.

Freshly cooked rice in a stone pot (sotbap) at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi — Fresh stone pot rice.

Menu and prices

Dish	Price
Whole grilled Jeju hairtail set, 2 people 제주산 통 갈치구이 2인	₩70,000 ~$50
Whole grilled Jeju hairtail set, 3 people 제주산 통 갈치구이 3인	₩90,000 ~$64
Whole grilled Jeju hairtail set, 4 people 제주산 통 갈치구이 4인	₩120,000 ~$86
Braised hairtail with abalone and shrimp, 2 people 전복과 새우가 들어간 갈치조림 2인	₩80,000 ~$57
Braised large hairtail with octopus, abalone and shrimp, 2 people 문어&전복&새우 왕 갈치조림 2인	₩100,000 ~$71
Braised and grilled hairtail combo, 4 people 갈치조림&갈치구이 4인	₩180,000 ~$129
Extra-large grilled hairtail, 5 to 6 people (call ahead) 5~6인 한정 판매 특대물 갈치구이	₩180,000 ~$129
Abalone seafood stew with pot rice (solo OK) 전복해물해장뚝배기+솥밥	₩13,000 ~$9.30
Butter-grilled abalone 전복 버터 구이	₩20,000 ~$14

*USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. Prices are from Naver Place (menu updated September 2026); the sets include okdom, raw hairtail, soy sauce crab, kimchi pancake, soup and pot rice. Prices can change.

Tips for visitors

Book ahead. There can be a wait, and Naver booking takes parties of 1 to 68.
Let the staff debone it. They do it at the table, so you do not have to fight the bones.
Do not skip the raw hairtail. It comes with the set and is the dish you will not easily find outside Jeju.
Dinner ends early. Last orders are at 20:00.
Big group? The extra-large hairtail for 5 to 6 depends on the daily catch, so call ahead for it.
Ordering phrase: “Galchi gui i-in seteu juseyo” (갈치구이 2인 세트 주세요) means “The grilled hairtail set for two, please.”

My verdict

Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi is not a cheap meal, but for the full table you get, ₩70,000 for two felt fair. Fresh hairtail with crisp skin, deboned for you, plus raw hairtail, okdom and a soup that is clearly made with care. If you want one proper hairtail meal in Jeju and you are staying around Jungmun, this is an easy choice, and I would happily go back.

Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi FAQ

Where is Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi, and how do I get there?

Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi (중문삼다통갈치) is on the ground floor of 23 Saekdaljungang-ro in Seogwipo, at the entrance to the Jungmun Tourist Complex on the south coast of Jeju. Naver Place says it is about 40 minutes from Jeju Airport and about 3 minutes by car from the Lotte Hotel Jeju, The Shilla Jeju, Parnas Hotel Jeju and Grand Josun Jeju. There is free parking for about 12 cars right in front.

What are the opening hours of Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi?

Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi is open every day from 11:00 to 21:00, with last orders at 20:00, according to Naver Place in October 2026.

How much is the grilled hairtail set at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi?

The whole grilled Jeju hairtail set is ₩70,000 for two, ₩90,000 for three and ₩120,000 for four. It comes with grilled okdom, raw hairtail, soy sauce crab, kimchi pancake, perilla seaweed soup, stone pot rice and side dishes. The braised hairtail sets start at ₩80,000 for two.

Do the staff debone the hairtail at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi?

Yes. At Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi a staff member came to the table and took the bones out of the whole grilled hairtail for me, so I could just eat the flesh without worrying about the many fine bones.

Do I need a reservation at Jungmun Samda Tong Galchi?

It is a good idea. There can be a wait, and the restaurant takes Naver bookings for 1 to 68 people. The extra-large hairtail for 5 to 6 people (₩180,000) depends on the daily catch, so the restaurant asks you to call ahead for that one.

Heading north after Jungmun? Try Handam Guksu for Jeju pork noodles in Aewol or Pork80 for thick-cut black pork BBQ near the airport. All island guides: Jeju restaurant guides.

More Jeju picks

Visited: March 2025. Prices and hours last checked: October 30, 2026, on Naver. Please check Naver Map before you go.

This post is based on my own visit and photos. I used AI tools to help with the English wording.

October 30, 2026

Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno: Thick-Cut Sushi Lunch by Jonggak Station

In short

Choi Woo Young Sushiya (최우영스시야) Jongno is a casual sushi restaurant in a basement arcade, about 3 to 5 minutes from Jonggak Station Exit 1. The 15-piece special sushi set is ₩19,000 (about $13.60), with thick slices of fish over modest rice. Open daily 11:00 to 21:30, break 15:00 to 17:00. A good pick for a solo lunch, or anyone who cares more about the fish than the rice.

Jonggak is a busy office district in old downtown Seoul, and lunch options there can blur together. On one weekday I went to Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno for sushi, and the thing I still remember is how thick the fish was.

Here is what I ordered, the current prices, one thing I wish I had known, and how to find it from the station.

Quick facts

Korean name최우영스시야 종로점 (Choi Woo Young Sushiya, Jongno branch)
AddressB1 Unit 104, 7 Jong-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 종로5길 7 지하1층 104호
SubwayJonggak Station (종각역, Line 1), Exit 1, about 235 m (3 to 5 min walk); Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit 2, about 7 min
HoursDaily 11:00–21:30; break 15:00–17:00; last order 21:00
PriceSushi sets ₩13,000–33,000; single pieces ₩1,000–3,000; tempura ₩1,500 each
Good forSolo lunch, a quick sushi meal near Gwanghwamun and Jonggak, small groups
Phone0507-1324-8219
NotesFree parking for 2 hours. Takeout (separate kiosk) and delivery. Wheelchair-accessible entrance, seats and restroom. Corkage ₩3,000 per bottle. No pets.
MapOpen in Naver Map

Finding it

I walked over from Jonggak Station. The restaurant is on the basement level of a building on Jong-ro 5-gil, so head downstairs once you reach the building. Naver puts it about 235 m from Exit 1, a 3 to 5 minute walk. If you are coming from Gwanghwamun, Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station is about 7 minutes away.

📍 Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno (최우영스시야 종로점), B1, 7 Jong-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu · Naver Map · Google Maps

Storefront of Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno with menu photos above the entrance in a basement arcade near Jonggak Station — The entrance, with photos of the menu over the counter.

I came at weekday lunchtime and got a seat right away without waiting. There is also a separate kiosk just for takeout sushi, so if you only want a box to take back to the office or your hotel, you can order there without joining the dine-in line. Sushi by kiosk felt very Seoul.

Red takeout-only sushi ordering kiosk at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — The takeout-only sushi kiosk.

Inside: clean and easy to eat alone

The room is plain and tidy, with no clutter, and the seats are spaced out rather than squeezed together. There is a long counter facing a wall of plants, plus tables for groups. I had my sushi lunch there on my own and did not feel out of place at all, so if you are traveling solo and want a proper sit-down meal, this is an easy one.

Counter seats with ordering screens and a wall of green plants at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Counter seats facing a wall of plants.

What I ordered

1. Special sushi set (특선초밥, teukseon chobap)

I started with the special sushi set, 15 pieces, and the quality was better than I expected for the price. The slices of fish are thick, and the rice under them is a sensible size, so you actually taste the fish instead of a mouthful of rice. A lot of lunch sushi places pile on the rice; this one gets the balance right.

What I liked most was the variety on one plate: white fish, red fish like tuna, salmon and more, so every next piece was a little different. When a set repeats the same few fish it gets boring halfway through, but here I kept wondering what the next one would taste like. With the thick cuts on top of that, it felt like very good value.

Thick slice of tuna nigiri lifted with chopsticks at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — A thick slice of tuna on modest rice.

One thing to know: there is no wasabi inside the sushi. You add it yourself, and it seemed to be freshly grated wasabi, which is much sharper than the paste you may be used to. Even a small dab made my eyes water. Start with a tiny bit and work up.

Nigiri dipped in soy sauce with a small dab of fresh wasabi on top at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Add the wasabi yourself, and go easy at first.

2. Assorted sashimi (모둠사시미, modum sashimi)

The sashimi came out in thick, chunky slices, so it was a different kind of fun from the sushi, with more bite. The salmon went really well with the onion and sauce served alongside it. The shredded radish salad and seaweed, dipped in chojang (a sweet, tangy red pepper sauce), were crunchy and had no fishy taste at all.

Assorted sashimi platter with salmon, white fish, tuna and lemon at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Assorted sashimi.

Thick cuts of salmon and white fish sashimi with sprouts at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Thick cuts of salmon and white fish.

3. King prawn tempura (왕새우튀김, wang-saeu twigim)

The size surprised me. It is not a small prawn hiding in a thick coat of batter; the prawn itself is big. It was nutty and not greasy. If you only add one side, make it this one.

Two large king prawn tempura with dipping sauce at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — King prawn tempura.

4. Udon (우동)

I wanted something with broth, so I added udon without expecting much, and it turned out to be good. It comes topped with seaweed and other garnishes, the broth is clean and light, and the noodles are springy. The hot soup next to cold sushi was a nice contrast, and I was glad I ordered it.

Udon in clear broth topped with seaweed, fried tofu and green onion at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno — Udon with seaweed and fried tofu.

Menu and prices

Dish	Price
Assorted sushi, 12 pieces 모듬초밥 12ps	₩13,000 ~$9.30
Special sushi, 15 pieces 특선초밥 15ps	₩19,000 ~$13.60
Premium sushi, 16 pieces 최상초밥 16ps	₩27,000 ~$19.30
Top premium sushi, 17 pieces 극상초밥 17ps	₩33,000 ~$23.60
Seared beef brisket sushi, 5 pieces 차돌박이 불초밥 5ps	₩9,500 ~$6.80
Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) 카이센동	₩14,000–25,000 ~$10–17.90
Assorted sashimi 모듬사시미	₩40,000 ~$28.60
Special sashimi 특선사시미	₩70,000 ~$50
Salmon, flatfish or tuna sashimi (100 g) 연어 / 광어 / 참다랑어 사시미	₩11,000 ~$7.90
King prawn tempura (1 piece) 왕새우튀김 1개	₩1,500 ~$1.10
Assorted tempura 모듬튀김	₩13,000 ~$9.30
Braised sea bream head 도미머리조림	₩6,000 ~$4.30

*USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. Prices are from Naver Place (menu updated July 2026). Single pieces of sushi are ₩1,000 to ₩3,000 each on the menu board in my August photos. The udon I had is not on the Naver menu or that board, so check the price when you order. Prices can change.

Tips for visitors

Mind the break time. The kitchen closes from 15:00 to 17:00 every day, and last orders are at 21:00.
Don’t double up on fish. The special sushi and the assorted sashimi share a lot of the same fish. I still liked the sashimi for its thickness and texture, but if you want variety, add tempura or udon instead.
Go slow with the wasabi. It is not inside the sushi, and it is strong.
Taking it to go? Use the takeout-only kiosk and skip the dine-in queue.
Ordering phrase: “Teukseon chobap hana juseyo” (특선초밥 하나 주세요) means “One special sushi set, please.”
Driving? Naver lists 2 hours of free parking.

My verdict

Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno is an honest, good-value sushi lunch in the middle of the city. The fish is cut thick, the rice does not get in the way, and the special set has enough variety that you never get bored. My one complaint is the overlap between the sushi and sashimi, which is worth knowing before you order both. It suits solo diners, people who rate sushi by the fish rather than the rice, and anyone who likes to set their own wasabi level. I will probably stop by again.

Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno FAQ

Where is Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno and how do I get there?

Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno is on the basement level (B1, unit 104) of 7 Jong-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu. It is about 235 m from Exit 1 of Jonggak Station on Line 1, a 3 to 5 minute walk. From Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit 2, it takes about 7 minutes on foot.

What are the opening hours of Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno?

Naver lists Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno as open every day from 11:00 to 21:30, with a break from 15:00 to 17:00 and last orders at 21:00. Plan lunch before 3 pm or dinner after 5 pm.

What should I order at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno?

The special sushi set (teukseon chobap, 15 pieces, ₩19,000) is the one I would start with at Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno, because the fish is cut thick and the rice is kept modest. A king prawn tempura (₩1,500 each) is the side I would add. If you also order assorted sashimi (₩40,000), know that many of the fish overlap with the sushi set.

Is Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno good for eating alone?

Yes. Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno has a long counter as well as tables, the seating is not cramped, and eating sushi on my own there at lunch felt completely normal. There is also a separate kiosk just for takeout sushi orders.

Does Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno have parking or takeout?

Naver says Choi Woo Young Sushiya Jongno offers 2 hours of free parking, plus takeout and delivery. Takeout sushi can be ordered at a separate takeout-only kiosk, so you skip the line. Corkage is ₩3,000 per bottle.

More in Jongno: Namaste in Dongmyo for Indian curry, or Respirer Bakery Cafe in Seochon for salt bread. For Japanese food in Seongsu, see Kosi. All guides: Seoul restaurant guides.

More places nearby

Visited: August 2026. Prices and hours last checked: October 26, 2026, on Naver. Please check Naver Map before you go.

This post is based on my own visit and photos. I used AI tools to help with the English wording.

October 26, 2026