There are so many sashimi restaurants
around Mukho that it can be hard
to decide where to go.

King crab restaurants were
a little too expensive,
and a lot of the other places
looked pretty similar.

While searching,
I found Jinmorae Hoetjip,
which had fairly reasonable prices
and a lot of reviews saying
the side dishes were especially good.

After visiting,
I would say this place is memorable
not just for the sashimi,
but for the full meal that comes with it.

Jinmorae Hoetjip Location

Jinmorae Hoetjip
125-1 Ilchul-ro, Donghae-si,
Gangwon-do, South Korea

I was looking for a sashimi restaurant
pretty last minute,

and a lot of the places I found online
felt heavily promoted.

I also didn’t want to spend a lot
only to end up disappointed.

Then I found Jinmorae Hoetjip,
which had plenty of side dishes
and generally good customer reviews.

I went inside in a hurry,
so unfortunately
I don’t have a photo of the entrance.

The restaurant uses
both the first and second floors,

but most customers seemed to sit
on the second floor.

I think that’s probably because
the seats near the windows
have an ocean view.

When we arrived,
the first floor was almost empty,

while the second floor
already had quite a few customers.

During my visit,
one person seemed to be handling
most of the cooking downstairs,

while another person
was taking care of serving
and payments upstairs.

If you’re seated on the second floor,
you also pay there.

Assorted Sashimi Set – 35,000 KRW per Person

We ordered the assorted sashimi set
for two people.

It was 35,000 KRW per person
when I visited.

After ordering,
they first brought out
plates and a portable gas burner.

The spicy fish stew
also came out surprisingly quickly.

They told us to start heating it
after the sashimi arrived,

so we left it on the table
for the time being.

The Side Dishes Were Surprisingly Good

Then the side dishes
started coming out one by one.

When I looked up reviews
before visiting,

a lot of people mentioned
how good the side dishes were.

After trying them myself,
I understood why.

The dish I remember most
was the potato.

I normally don’t really like
steamed potatoes
or other potatoes
with a dry, starchy texture.

I much prefer crispy things
like potato chips.

So when I first saw
the large pieces of potato,
I didn’t expect much.

But once I tried them,
I completely changed my mind.

They tasted like
whole potatoes that had been fried,

with a nicely cooked outside
and a surprisingly satisfying texture.

I kept reaching for more.

If you’re also a fan
of crispy potato snacks,
you’ll probably enjoy these too.

Sea Squirt and Soy-Marinated Crab

They also served sea squirt.

It was actually my first time
trying it,

but since I already enjoy
oysters and other seafood,
I liked the fresh ocean flavor
more than I expected.

“이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.”

They also served
soy-marinated crab,

and this was another
really good side dish.

Usually when I go
to a sashimi restaurant,
I expect the sashimi
to be the main attraction

and don’t think much
about the side dishes.

At Jinmorae Hoetjip,
the side dishes were good enough
to stand out on their own.

Japchae That Tasted Different From What I’m Used To

One dish that felt
especially interesting
was the japchae.

It tasted noticeably different
from the version
I’m used to eating
in the Gyeongsang region.

It wasn’t simply under-seasoned.

The flavor was more subtle
and mild overall.

I noticed a similar style
with several side dishes
I had during this trip
around Gangwon-do,

so it made me wonder
whether the seasoning
and cooking style varies
depending on the region.

Either way,
it was interesting
to try a slightly different
style of japchae.

Mulhoe and Abalone Rice Bowl

Then came the dishes
that ended up being
my favorites of the meal.

They served mulhoe
and a rice bowl.

Mulhoe is a Korean dish
with sliced raw fish,
vegetables,
and a cold, spicy broth.

The mulhoe here
of course included
pieces of sashimi as well.

For the rice bowl,
they told us
to add the abalone
that came with the meal
and mix everything together.

And this rice bowl…

was seriously good.

I honestly remember it
more than the sashimi itself.

I ended up eating
almost the entire bowl
and finished every last bite.

If I visit Mukho again,
I could see myself
coming back
just because I remember
this rice bowl.

If I had to choose
one dish to recommend
at Jinmorae Hoetjip,
this would probably be it.

Spicy Fish Stew

After the sashimi arrived,
we started heating
the spicy fish stew
that had been brought out earlier.

The flavor was a little different
from the spicy fish stews
I’m used to.

Instead of being
very spicy and bold,

it was much lighter
and milder.

To me,
it almost reminded me
of a slightly spicy
bean sprout soup.

There was also
a fairly large piece of fish inside,
possibly part of the head.

If you prefer
a very spicy,
strongly seasoned fish stew,

you might find
this version a little mild.

Flounder, Rockfish, and Yellowtail Sashimi

The main sashimi platter
came out last.

The assortment that day included:

• Flounder
• Rockfish
• Yellowtail

The sashimi itself
was fresh and perfectly fine.

But personally,
I don’t think Jinmorae Hoetjip
is the kind of restaurant
you visit only for the sashimi.

The full set
is what makes the meal worthwhile.

You get sashimi
along with mulhoe,
a rice bowl,
spicy fish stew,
soy-marinated crab,
potatoes,
and several other side dishes.

Good Value at 35,000 KRW per Person

When I visited,
the assorted sashimi set
was 35,000 KRW per person.

Considering that the meal includes
sashimi, mulhoe,
a rice bowl,
spicy fish stew,
and multiple side dishes,

I thought the overall value
was very good.

I think you’ll enjoy this place
even more
if you prefer trying
a variety of dishes

instead of eating
a large amount of sashimi alone.

Check the Kitchen Closing Time

One thing to keep in mind
before visiting
is the kitchen closing time.

When I visited,
the restaurant itself
was open until 9 PM,

but the kitchen closed at 7:30 PM.

I actually saw customers
arrive around 7:30 PM
and get turned away,

so if you’re planning
to visit for dinner,
I recommend arriving
well before then.

Final Thoughts on Jinmorae Hoetjip

There are plenty
of sashimi restaurants in Mukho,

but if you’re thinking,

“Where should I go?”
“Why are all the sashimi restaurants
so expensive?”
“Why does every place online
look like an advertisement?”

Jinmorae Hoetjip
is worth considering.

I especially recommend it
to people who want
a full seafood meal
with a variety of dishes,

rather than people
who only want
a large sashimi platter.

For me,
the abalone rice bowl
and fried potato
were the most memorable dishes.

At 35,000 KRW per person,
I think Jinmorae Hoetjip
is a solid option
for anyone looking
for an affordable sashimi restaurant
in Mukho with a generous
and varied meal.