Thought It Was a Café? Turns Out It's a Galchi Stew Spot
serves galchi-jorim with a floor-to-ceiling ocean view, they say
Today GYULI wants to introduce a spot called Galchi Gongjang, located along Haemajihaean-ro in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City. The name alone might make you picture an actual hairtail-processing factory, but it's said to be a restaurant specializing in galchi (hairtail) dishes, sitting right by the sea. It's known for its galchi-jorim, galchi-tongguichi, and abalone dishes, and what stands out most is that once you take a seat, the sea is said to stretch out right in front of you through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Let's take a slow look at this place today.
Despite the Name 'Gongjang' (Factory), It's Said to Feel More Like a Café
With 'gongjang' (factory) in the name, it's easy to picture something plain and rough around the edges, but people who've actually been say the high ceilings and clean, tidy interior feel closer to a café. Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the walls, the sea is said to be in view from just about any seat in the house. Being able to enjoy hearty local dishes like galchi-jorim and galchi-tongguichi in a setting like this is said to be the place's biggest unexpected charm.
Galchi dishes take a lot of hands-on work, so getting to eat them in a spot this bright and open might just be the best part of this place.
— 🍊 GYULI
From Galchi-Jorim and Tongguichi to Abalone Dishes
The menu is said to center on galchi-jorim and galchi-tongguichi, alongside dishes made with abalone. Many say the prices are reasonable considering how pricey things can get at tourist spots on Jeju, though the exact menu and prices are said to change depending on the season, so it's worth checking before you visit.
Open Until 4:30 PM — But It Might Close Earlier Than That
The restaurant is said to stay open until 4:30 PM. But here's the part worth remembering: since the amount of galchi brought in each day is limited, it's said that the restaurant closes as soon as the day's ingredients run out, even if there's still time left on the clock. In other words, showing up late assuming you have until 4:30 PM could mean missing out on the dish you came for.
GYULI's Tip · Galchi Gongjang is said to close early once its ingredients run out for the day. Rather than counting on the 4:30 PM closing time, it's said to be safer to visit around lunchtime or early afternoon so you don't miss the dish you came for.
It's also said to be a good idea to explore nearby spots after your meal. Sehwa Five-Day Market, along with Pyeongdae Beach, Sehwa Beach, and Woljeong Beach, are all said to be close by, so after filling up at Galchi Gongjang, you could plan a route along the coastal road, stopping at each of these beaches one by one.