1 Night, 2 Days, Gyeongnam Hadong Episode: Yoo Kids on the Block, Enchanted by Jirisan's Seven Delights.

Last week's 1-night, 2-day episode, the Gyeongnam Hadong segment, depicted the members searching for each dish of the Jirisan 7 Mi (Seven Delicacies of Jirisan) Han Sang (a full course meal) one by one as a dinner-time lucky draw. Thanks to the show, I now have a list of delicious-looking dishes from the Jirisan 7 Mi Han Sang that I'd like to try.

In the beginning of the episode, they showed 'Solseom' in Hadong, Gyeongnam, and it seemed like there were many places to enjoy the beautiful scenery through trekking, in addition to the ocean view from the accommodation itself. So, I checked if there were any cafes or fun things to do, but it looks like there aren't any unfortunately.

Hadong's 'Solseom'

Hadong Miracle Marine Garden: Located on Solseom, this marine garden offers a youth campsite and a variety of nature experience activities. It has the name 'Miracil', a portmanteau of 'mirror' and 'clean'. Solseom is located within the Hallyeohaesang National Park, and offers beautiful scenery and views of sunrise/sunset. You can take a cruise to visit nearby islands like Tokkiseom (Rabbit Island), Namulseom (Vegetable Island), and Jangguseom (a Cretaceous fossil site).

So, they brought in the Jirisan 7 Mi (Seven Delicacies of Jirisan) table from various local restaurants. Let's take a look at each one.

Hadong Freshwater Clam (Jaejeop) Ssam Muchim (Seasoned Salad)

Freshwater clams (jaejeop) are a representative specialty of the Seomjin River Hadong area, and are small freshwater shellfish that grow in clean water.Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim is a dish where the clams are boiled and then mixed with various vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage, watercress, and perilla leaves.It has a sweet and sour taste, and the addition of sesame oil and sesame seeds enhances the fresh taste of the clams. In the Hadong region, Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim is considered a representative local dish, and many restaurants feature this dish. In particular,the Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim you enjoy at restaurants along the Seomjin River tastes even better when you combine the fresh clams with the riverside scenery.

Characteristics of Hadong Freshwater Clams
Hadong freshwater clams are freshwater shellfish that grow in the clean waters of the Seomjin River, and have a taste similar to that of clams. Freshwater clams are known to be a healthy food rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. In particular, Seomjin River freshwater clams are even fresher and more nutritious because they grow in a pristine area. Various dishes using freshwater clams have developed in the Hadong region, with Freshwater Clam Soup and Freshwater Clam Stew being famous in addition to Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim.

Tips for Visiting a Hadong Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim Restaurant
Since Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim is a dish made by boiling clams and mixing them with vegetables, using fresh clams is important. Therefore, I recommend visiting restaurants along the Seomjin River. If you enjoy a variety of freshwater clam dishes such as Freshwater Clam Soup and Freshwater Clam Stew along with Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim, you can experience the various flavors of Hadong freshwater clams. Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim is seasoned with sesame oil and sesame seeds, and each restaurant has slightly different flavors, so you can find a flavor that suits your taste. Hadong Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim often requires orders of 2 or more people, so it's a good idea to visit with family or friends.

Namwon Loach Soup (Chueotang)

Characteristics of Namwon Loach Soup
Namwon Loach Soup is characterized by its deep and savory flavor, made using a traditional method. It uses a native loach species, different from regular loach, and is cooked with fermented soybean paste and soaked perilla seeds, creating a thick and hearty soup that is both refreshing and savory. Namwon's geographic location offers an environment conducive to the cultivation of diverse agricultural products and the habitat of loaches, leading to the development of loach soup. Loach soup is introduced in the "Compendium of Materia Medica" and the "Dongeuibogam" as a nourishing food with a warm nature that benefits Qi (vital energy).

Recommended Namwon Loach Soup Restaurants
Hyunsikdang: A representative loach soup restaurant in Namwon, offering a savory and plain loach soup made with fresh domestic loaches and traditional fermented soybean paste.
Saejib Chueotang: A famous loach soup restaurant in Namwon, known for its delicious loach soup and fried loach.
Halmae Chueotang: A traditional restaurant that has been passed down for three generations, where you can taste the Namwon-style thick loach soup.

Gokseong Crab Spicy Soup (Chamge Maeuntang)

Characteristics of Gokseong Crab Spicy Soup
Gokseong is a region famous for its Crab Spicy Soup.
There are Crab Spicy Soup restaurants located in the Gokseong Train Village Traditional Market.
Crab Spicy Soup is characterized by its rustic and spicy flavor.

Reasons for the Popularity of Gokseong Crab Spicy Soup
Gokseong is a region famous for its Crab Spicy Soup, a traditional dish that uses local specialty ingredients.
Its rustic and spicy flavor is characteristic, allowing you to experience the unique local food culture of Gokseong.
There are many restaurants located in the Gokseong Train Village Traditional Market, making it easily accessible.
There is a wide variety of Crab Spicy Soup restaurants, offering a wide range of choices.

Gurye River Snail (Dasulgi) Sujebi (Hand-cut Noodle Soup)

Characteristics of Gurye River Snail Sujebi
Gurye is located near the Seomjin River, and boasts clean water quality, using fresh river snails harvested from the Seomjin River.
The river snail broth has a unique bittersweet and refreshing taste, combined with chewy hand-cut noodles.
It's a traditional local dish that is both healthy and delicious.

Recommended Gurye River Snail Sujebi Restaurants
'Toji Dasulgi Sikdang' located in Bongbuk-ri, Gurye-eup, is a famous River Snail Sujebi restaurant.
In addition to River Snail Sujebi, this restaurant also sells River Snail Salad and River Snail Pancakes.
You can enjoy it along with nearby tourist attractions such as Jirisan National Park, Seomjin River, and Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye.

Reasons for the Popularity of Gurye River Snail Sujebi
It uses fresh river snails harvested from the Seomjin River with clean water quality, making it a healthy choice.
The bittersweet and refreshing taste of the river snail broth goes well with the chewy hand-cut noodles.
As a traditional local dish, you can experience the unique food culture of the Gurye region.

Hamyang Black Pork Belly (Heukdwaeji Samgyeopsal)

Characteristics of Hamyang Black Pork Belly
Black pork belly from the Hamyang region, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, offering a chewy and savory texture.
Raised in the pristine Jirisan area, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
Compared to black pork from other regions, Hamyang black pork boasts cleaner and healthier meat quality due to its upbringing in the pristine Jirisan environment.

Hamyang Black Pork Belly Restaurants
Hamyang Hot Plate Samgyeopsal is a famous restaurant located near Baekmudong in Jirisan.
This restaurant offers chewy and savory Hamyang Black Pork Belly.
It also offers various other menus such as pork rib boiled meat, allowing you to enjoy Hamyang Black Pork in diverse ways.

The Distinctive Features of Hamyang Black Pork
Hamyang Black Pork exhibits unique characteristics due to its upbringing in the pristine Jirisan environment, setting it apart from black pork from other regions.
Black pork raised in the pristine Jirisan environment is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, boasts tender meat, and has a savory taste.
In comparison, black pork from other areas may have a relatively higher fat content and firmer meat texture.
Thus, Hamyang Black Pork can be considered high-quality pork raised in the pristine Jirisan environment.

Mushroom and Medicinal Herb Hot Pot (Beoseot Yakcho Jeongol)

Characteristics of Mushroom and Medicinal Herb Hot Pot
Mushroom and Medicinal Herb Hot Pot is a healthy hot pot dish made with a variety of mushrooms and medicinal herbs. It's characterized by its rich nutritional value and deep flavor achieved by combining mushrooms and medicinal herbs. The main ingredients include various mushrooms such as button mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms, along with medicinal herbs. The harmonious blend of flavors and aromas from the mushrooms and medicinal herbs is a defining feature, and it's made with ingredients known for their health benefits.

Health Benefits of Mushroom and Medicinal Herb Hot Pot

• Rich in Nutrients: Mushrooms are packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them highly nutritious.
• Boosts Immunity: Beta-glucan found in mushrooms helps enhance the immune system.
• Anti-cancer Effects: Mushrooms contain components with anti-cancer properties.
• Improves Blood Vessel Function: Medicinal herb ingredients can contribute to improved blood vessel function.
• Replenishes Qi and Blood, and Nourishes the Body: From a traditional medicine perspective, medicinal herb ingredients have the effects of replenishing Qi and Blood, and nourishing the body.
  

Characteristics of Different Types of Mushrooms

• Shiitake Mushrooms: Known for their aroma, flavor, and nutritional value, they're commonly used to create broth, and offer a satisfying chew.
• Oyster Mushrooms: Rich in protein and vitamins, they have anti-cancer effects.
• Enoki Mushrooms: High in dietary fiber, they are beneficial for gut health.

Jangsu Hanwoo Bulgogi (Korean Beef Bulgogi)

Characteristics of Jangsu Hanwoo
Hanwoo (Korean beef) raised in vast grasslands at altitudes of 650m or higher, boasting high-quality meat and flavor.
Offers high-quality Hanwoo in various grades, providing fresh meat.
Jangsu Hanwoo, raised in a clean environment, has a lower fat content, tender meat, and a unique, exceptional aroma and flavor.

Health Benefits of Jangsu Hanwoo
Jangsu Hanwoo, raised in a clean environment, has a lower fat content, making it a healthy choice.
It's rich in various nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals, offering benefits such as enhanced immunity, muscle strengthening, and prevention of osteoporosis.
Furthermore, it can help reduce cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Ultimately, the 1 Night, 2 Days members won Hadong Freshwater Clam Ssam Muchim, Namwon Loach Soup, Hamyang Black Pork Belly, and Jangsu Hanwoo Beef for their dinner.