Tongyeong is one of Korea's prettiest southern ports — a harbour town scattered with islands, famous for its mild climate, its mural village and its seafood. With the sea on every side, the food here leans hard into what the water provides: oysters, raw fish, and clever little dishes invented to feed fishermen and travellers.

But it's not all seafood — Tongyeong also has two of Korea's most beloved regional snacks. Here's what to eat, and where to find it.

💡 Where to graze

Tongyeong's food clusters around the water: the Jungang Live Fish Market and Gangguan harbour for seafood and Chungmu gimbap, Seoho Market for early-morning sirak-guk, and bakeries all over town for kkulppang.

The Tongyeong must-eats

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Chungmu gimbap
충무김밥 — Tiny rice rolls
📍 Harbour stalls, Gangguan

Tongyeong's most famous dish: little fingers of plain seaweed-wrapped rice, served with a side of spicy seasoned squid and tangy radish kimchi. It was designed for fishermen — keeping the rice and toppings separate stopped it spoiling in the sea air.

💡 Tip: Eat it the proper way — a bite of plain gimbap, then the spicy squid and radish together.
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Kkulppang
꿀빵 — Honey bread
📍 Bakeries citywide

Tongyeong's signature sweet souvenir: small balls of dough filled with red-bean paste, deep-fried and glazed in sticky honey syrup. Warm and gooey fresh, and the city's favourite edible gift to take home.

💡 Tip: Buy a box fresh from a bakery rather than pre-packed — the just-made ones are far better.
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Oysters & gulbap
굴 / 굴밥 — Oysters & oyster rice
📍 Winter, harbour restaurants

The waters around Tongyeong make it Korea's oyster capital, supplying much of the country. In the cold months, plump local oysters turn up raw, steamed, in gulbap (oyster rice topped with vegetables) and in warming oyster stews.

💡 Tip: Oysters are at their best in winter — look for gulbap set meals served with a spread of sides.
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Sirak-guk
시락국 — Dried-radish-leaf soup
📍 Seoho Market area

A humble, deeply local breakfast soup of dried radish greens (siraegi) in a savoury fish or anchovy broth, ladled over rice with a tableful of little side dishes. A beloved Tongyeong morning ritual.

💡 Tip: It's a breakfast dish — the famous spots near the markets open early and can sell out.
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Hoe & fresh seafood
회 — Raw fish & seafood
📍 Jungang Live Fish Market

As a fishing port wrapped in islands, Tongyeong serves some of the south coast's freshest hoe (sliced raw fish). Pick from the market tanks, and in summer try mulhoe — cold raw fish in an icy, tangy broth.

💡 Tip: Buy your fish downstairs at the market, then have it sliced and served with sides upstairs.

Make a food trip of it

Tongyeong is made for grazing between the harbour and the markets: Chungmu gimbap and a box of warm kkulppang by the water, a bowl of sirak-guk to start the day, and oysters or hoe straight off the boats. Build a day around the harbour and you'll eat very well.

🗺️ Plan the trip

Pair this with our Tongyeong travel guide for what to see and do, and see where it fits on our map of Korean regional foods and the Korean street food guide.

And if you want a drama to get you in the seaside mood first, our AI Drama Recommender can find one set by the coast. 🎬