When thinking of representative foods in Gangneung, “squid” and “potatoes” come to mind. While squid can be easily purchased at the Jungang Market in Gangneung for dishes like fried squid, I regretfully didn’t have the chance to taste any potato dishes during this trip.
As I wrapped up my 1 night, 2-day trip to Gangneung, I thought it would be nice to try a dish made with potatoes. After some searching, I found a unique fusion restaurant in Jumunjin.
“Jumunjin Fusion Restaurant, Maemil Aegamja”
Maemil Aegamja is located near Yeongjin Beach. It’s about a 5-minute drive from Yeongjin Beach, where Jumunjin Cafe Street is located.
This small restaurant is located in a commercial area in front of an apartment complex. The interior is unique, and they also offer unique fusion dishes on their menu.
Here, you can find unique dishes where toppings are placed on a dough made from potatoes, similar to pizza. Additionally, you can find special menu items like Maemil Potato Cheese Shake, which you won’t find elsewhere. Here are some of the representative dishes you can find here:
- Potato Shrimp Bacon Galette: 15,000 KRW
- Kimchi Pork Belly Galette: 16,000 KRW
- Squid Kimchi Galette: 16,000 KRW
- Octopus Shrimp Bacon Galette: 24,000 KRW
- Maemil Potato Cheese Shake: 7,000 KRW
“Potato Shrimp Bacon Galette: 15,000 KRW”
The main menu item sold here is the Galette, a dish similar to pizza. Prices range from about 15,000 KRW to 16,000 KRW. If you add 5 shrimp, it’s an additional 3,000 KRW.
We ordered a half-and-half menu, choosing the Potato Shrimp Bacon and Kimchi Pork Belly, and added 5 shrimp. Additionally, we ordered the Maemil Potato Cheese Shake.
The taste was certainly unique, but it was a bit disappointing, perhaps because it was a day when two adult men visited. It was a bit lacking in filling quantity. The food tasted good, but it seemed more suitable for a snack rather than a full meal. It’s a bit of a gray area, as it’s a place that could serve as a snack but also feels like a meal, making it an ambiguous position.
Of course, this could be influenced by the fact that I personally tend to eat a lot. For those who eat a more typical portion size, it’s a place where you can have a delicious meal.
“Retro-inspired Interior”
The store interior is decorated with a retro sensibility. You can see cassette tapes from your childhood, and the space is filled with nostalgic items like very old textbooks.
Thanks to this, it feels like you’re traveling back in time, and you can enjoy a different kind of fun while having a meal. Although it’s a small restaurant, it’s also great for taking commemorative photos.
If you’re traveling in Gangneung and looking for unique and special food, it’s worth visiting. It’s also a place that fits well with Instagram aesthetics.
“Gangneung Jumunjin: Maemil Aegamja”
- Address: 6-2 Yeongjin 3-gil, Yeongok-myeon, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25429, South Korea
- Phone: 010-3075-2767
- Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Instagram: Link