Pohang Travel: A Journey Through the Pohang’s Most Iconic Foods
Venturing through the vibrant city of Pohang, nestled in South Korea’s eastern coastline, one can’t help but be enamored by its rich culinary tapestry. Known as much for its industrial prowess as for its illustrious gastronomic culture, Pohang is a city where age-old culinary traditions and bountiful oceanic resources blend seamlessly, creating a truly unique dining experience. Let’s explore the top 10 best foods in Pohang below🔽.
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① Samgyetang
The nutritious soup Samgyetang features a whole young chicken that they stuff with glutinous rice, garlic, jujube fruits, ginseng, and other medicinal herbs. They simmer it until the flavors are fully infused and the chicken becomes extremely tender. It’s a favorite dish for nourishment during hot weather.
② Japchae
Japchae involves sweet potato starch noodles stir-fried with thinly sliced vegetables (like carrots, bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms), meat (usually beef), and a sweet and savory soy and sesame sauce. They typically garnish Japchae with sesame seeds and serve it at room temperature, making it a popular dish for parties and special occasions.
③ Dwaeji Gukbap (Pork and rice soup)
This comforting soup features pork and rice in a rich and hearty broth. People often enjoy it with a side of kimchi. They typically make the broth by simmering pork bones for a long time to extract maximum flavor. They serve the soup hot with rice already mixed in, and diners can add extra condiments like salted shrimp, green chili, and garlic to taste.
④ Naengmyeon
Naengmyeon is a bowl of thin, chewy buckwheat noodles served in a tangy iced broth, often with a boiled egg, slices of cucumber, Asian pear, and sometimes a touch of spicy mustard or vinegar. It’s incredibly refreshing, making it a popular dish for hot summer months.
⑤ Sundubu Jjigae
They make this spicy stew with soft tofu (sundubu), seafood (often oysters, clams, shrimp, and mussels), and vegetables. They simmer the ingredients in a spicy gochujang (red pepper paste) or gochugaru (red pepper flakes) based broth and often serve it in a hot stone pot with a raw egg cracked on top.
⑥ Hoe
Hoe refers to Korean-style raw fish or seafood, similar to Japanese sashimi. Due to Pohang’s coastal location, they have an abundance of fresh seafood, and they can make hoe from a variety of sea creatures. They thinly slice the fresh seafood and serve it with soy sauce and wasabi or a spicy gochujang sauce. Raw garlic and Korean pear are common garnishes. It’s a must-try for seafood lovers visiting Pohang.
⑦ Mulhoe
Mulhoe is a refreshing, cold soup with thinly sliced raw fish, vegetables, and in some cases, cold noodles. The broth is spicy and vinegary, making it a perfect dish for hot summer days. The fish used in mulhoe is usually caught fresh from the sea, contributing to its rich flavor.
⑧ Gwamegi
Gwamegi is a type of half-dried Pacific herring or Pacific saury prepared during winter. This labor-intensive dish involves repeated freeze-thaw cycles and wind-drying to get a unique, chewy texture and deep flavor. They serve it with various side dishes like raw garlic, chili pepper, and a spicy gochujang (red chili paste) sauce.
⑨ Snow Crab
Pohang, being a coastal city, is famous for its seafood, particularly snow crab. People usually catch crabs in winter and enjoy them steamed to appreciate their natural sweetness. The soft, sweet flesh and roe of the crab is its main appeal.
⑩ Jangeo Gui (Grilled Eel)
Grilled Eel is a deliciously prepared eel that is marinated and grilled over open flame. The marinade typically consists of soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and mirin, which gives the eel a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors. Koreans consider eel a nutritious food, as it is high in vitamins A and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. Moreover, they believe it provides stamina and helps relieve fatigue, making it a popular choice during the hot and humid summer months. They typically serve grilled eel with a side of rice, radish kimchi or pickled radish, and a spicy dipping sauce.