Sometimes, the best food discoveries are the ones you never planned for.
We had come to Daewangam Park to wander beneath its century-old pine forest, admire the dramatic coastline and cross the famous suspension bridge. Seafood was the last thing on our minds.
As we looked down from a small cliff, we noticed dozens of colourful beach umbrellas gathered in a quiet cove below. At first, we assumed it was simply a picnic area. Curiosity got the better of us, and as we walked closer, we realised they were Haenyeo – the legendary female divers – selling the seafood they had harvested from the surrounding waters.
It felt like fate. Our original plan to experience Jeju’s Haenyeo culture had been cancelled because of bad weather, so finding this little community in Ulsan was an unexpected gift.
For 30,000 won, we were served a modest platter of freshly prepared seaweed, sea slug, conch and sea snails, sliced to order just metres from where they had been harvested. Watching the Haenyeo skilfully prepare each ingredient while the sea breeze carried the scent of salt through the air made the meal feel wonderfully connected to its surroundings.
The sea snails were tender with a gentle sweetness and natural brininess, while a simple dip of sesame oil added a rich, nutty finish. The sea slug, however, was another story entirely. It was astonishingly chewy – perhaps one for adventurous eaters with stronger jaws than ours.
The seafood was memorable, but what stayed with us most was the setting. Sitting beside the waves after a long walk through the park, eating seafood brought straight from the sea, reminded us that sometimes the most meaningful food experiences are the ones we never knew we were looking for.
About Daewangan Park
Covering 942,000 square meters, it is a stunning coastal destination in Ulsan – famous for its legendary rock formations, century-old pine forest, and scenic ocean views. This park is named after Daewangan who was King Munmu’s wife. Legend has it that she became a guardian dragon of the kingdom upon her death. It is said she flew to Ulsan and submerged herself at this park to protect the country and people.
About Ulsan
Ulsan is Korea’s seventh-largest metropolitan city, located Northeast of Busan. Home to the 2nd largest garden after Seoul Garden, this city offers historical sites, nature park, bamboo forest, famous Illsan beach, etc.
