Finding the deep flavors of Jinan, a warm and comforting meal at Jinangwan

Rough yet warm, the scenery of Jinan-eup alleys

Upon arriving in Jinan, the sharp peaks of Maisan Mountain (Maisan) caught my eyes first. The bitter scent of earth carried in the air and the moderately cold mountain breeze thrilled the traveler's heart. After passing through the alleys of Jinan-eup, I arrived at 'Jinangwan', a place that has held its spot for a long time. As I opened the door, the savory aroma of broth wrapped around my nose, and the low-intensity lighting provided a comfort as if I had come to play at an old friend's house.

Meat boiled without seasoning, the depth of honest taste

The menu here is a bit different from other restaurants. Meat, boiled plainly using only ingredients from nature such as garlic, ginger, and green onions, is served first. Boiled meat without a single trace of seasoning—it felt a bit unfamiliar at first. However, the moment I picked up a piece of the carefully boiled meat, dipped it lightly in chojang (spicy chili paste), and put it in my mouth, the meat melted softly and I found myself nodding in approval. It is a point where one can feel the conviction of the owner who competes with the natural taste of ingredients without flashy techniques. The accompanying deodeok-muchim (seasoned deodeok), kkaennip-jangajji (pickled perilla leaves), and saeu-jeot (salted shrimp), while not flashy, were full of a rustic, local charm that whets the appetite.

The finishing touch of a magical spicy stew made with leftover broth

Just as I was finishing the meat, a staff member approached and prepared a spicy stew (maeuntang) by adding bean sprouts, mushrooms, and various seasonings to the remaining broth. The process of the pot, which had just produced a clear soup, transforming into a spicy and rich stew felt like magic. After finishing a bowl of rice with one spoonful of the spicy broth, even my cold body felt warmed up. From the stir-fried oyster mushrooms and burdock greens served as side dishes to the very last spoonful, it truly felt like I had tasted the land and affection of Jinan in its entirety.

Tips for enjoying your Jinan trip more fruitfully

Jinangwan is located at 21 Jinjang-ro, Jinan-eup, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk State. Planning a route that includes visiting Maisan Tapsa (Pagoda Temple) or the Jinan Red Ginseng Spa (Jinan Hongsam Spa) before or after your meal makes for a perfect day. In particular, the scenery of Maisan changes with every season, so visiting in spring when cherry blossoms bloom or in autumn when the leaves turn red will make the warm meal at Jinangwan even more memorable. Since there are many visitors during lunch hours, it would be good to arrive a little early or check in advance before visiting. I hope you enjoy the small pleasures of walking while taking in the simple scenery of the town and encountering the old signs along the way.