What is the famous food in Mokpo?

Mokpo is famous for its fresh seafood. The most iconic dish is 'Beef and Abalone Tangtang-i' (raw beef and octopus tartare). Other popular dishes include Agujjim (spicy braised monkfish), seasonal sashimi, and Shrimp Baguette from Colombang Bakery.

How do I get to Mokpo from Seoul?

The most convenient way is to take the KTX high-speed train from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station to Mokpo Station. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.

What are the best places to visit in Mokpo?

Top attractions include Yudalsan Mountain, Mokpo Marine Cable Car (longest in Korea), Gatbawi Rock, Peace Square (for the night fountain show), and Modern History Street.

Is Mokpo suitable for family travel?

Yes, Mokpo has many family-friendly spots like the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs), Maritime Museum, and cable cars. Accommodations like Ayana Hotel also offer facilities for large families.

Do I need a car to travel in Mokpo?

Major attractions in the city center are accessible by bus or taxi. However, renting a car is recommended if you plan to visit outlying areas or travel with children/elderly for convenience.

Ultimate Mokpo Travel Guide: Best Local Food & Sightseeing Spots

Mokpo is a port city indispensable to travel in the Jeolla province, a destination where the sea, flavor, and youthful sensibility coexist. In this article, I will introduce Mokpo restaurants and tourist spots that I personally visited after receiving recommendations from locals. Let's check out the Mokpo gourmet travel course that can be enjoyed without burden, as well as places worth visiting in Mokpo that are enjoyable for both families and couples.

Sunset view over the Mokpo sea with fishing boats passing by

Mokpo Travel

Preparation for Mokpo Travel

Major attractions in Mokpo are gathered in the city center, so there is no inconvenience in moving on foot or by bus. Modern History Street, Yudalsan Mountain, Mokpo Port, and Peace Square are mostly connected by city buses. However, for travelers without a car (using public transport), it is recommended to take a taxi or use a rental car when moving to the Hadang district or attractions on the outskirts.

Car Rental

There are several car rental companies in the city center, concentrated near KTX Mokpo Station. Most allow daily rentals, with compact cars ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 KRW (approx. $22–$45 USD) and mid-sized cars ranging from 60,000 to 90,000 KRW (approx. $45–$67 USD).

If you book in advance through online platforms like Kayak, Camoa, Lotte Rent-a-Car, or SK Rent-a-Car and designate a pickup point that fits your travel itinerary, moving around will be much more convenient.

Accommodation Areas & Top 3 Value Accommodations

Area	Pros	Features
Near Mokpo Port · Peace Square	Good ocean view and close to commercial areas	Room rates are slightly higher than other areas
Near Yudalsan · Gohado	Quiet and good natural scenery	Somewhat distant from the city center
Hadang District	Many restaurants and a large commercial area	Distant from major tourist spots
Near Modern History Street	Convenient for walking and atmospheric	Narrow range of accommodation choices

Mokpo has many guesthouses or motels in the 40,000–50,000 KRW ($30–$37 USD) range. If you are just sleeping for a day, these budget accommodations are not bad, but if you are traveling with family or a partner, you are bound to care about choosing accommodation.

View of budget hotels in Mokpo (From left: Ocean Stay, Yaja, Ayana Hotel)

Mokpo Value Hotels

Hotel Yaja Mokpo Peace Square Branch (90k–110k KRW / approx. $67–$82 USD)

Located near Peace Square, it has good parking facilities, convenient transportation, and provides simple toast and cup ramen for breakfast.

Ayana Hotel (150k–300k KRW / approx. $112–$224 USD, for families of 7+)

Near Peace Square, the rooms are spacious and have a condo-style structure, making it good for families to stay. There are duplex rooms, a small indoor swimming pool facility, and a kids' cafe. With rooms that can accommodate up to 15 people, it is a good accommodation for family trips or gatherings.

Ocean Stay Hotel (70k KRW / approx. $52 USD, Residence Family 200k KRW / approx. $150 USD)

A hotel near North Port (Buk-hang), some rooms have an ocean view. The interior is clean, and a simple breakfast such as toast, fried eggs, cereal, coffee, milk, and soup is also provided.

Places to Visit in Mokpo

Yudalsan Mountain

It is a representative symbol of Mokpo, a mountain visible from anywhere in the city. The path to the summit is gentle, making it good to climb like a walk. When you reach the summit observatory, Mokpo Port and the archipelago (Dadohae) come into view at a glance, and on clear days, the coastline connected by bridges and islands is clearly visible. Halfway up, there are famous spots like Nojeokbong Peak, Dalseongsa Temple, and Ilteung Rock, making it good to look around slowly while climbing. At sunset, the red light spreads over the sea, making it highly popular as a photo spot.

Yudalsan Mountain

Mokpo Marine Cable Car

It is the longest marine cable car in Korea, connecting Yudalsan Mountain and Gohado Island. During the approximately 30-minute ride, you can cross over the sea and see the scenery of Mokpo Bridge, Gohado, and the archipelago at a glance. Especially if you start from the Yudalsan platform, you can enjoy the scenery of the city and the sea together. On the Gohado side, the Skywalk and observatory are connected, making it good to look around together. On clear days, you can see as far as Wando.

Mokpo Marine Cable Car

Modern History Street

Mokpo Modern History Street is an area formed with the opening of Mokpo Port in the early 1900s, where buildings from that time remain. Centered around 'Mokpo Modern History Museum Halls 1 and 2', you can see the former Japanese Consulate, the former Oriental Development Company, and the old customs building. In the middle of the street, there is 'Yeonhine Supermarket', known as a drama filming location, where many travelers take photos. The alleys connected between buildings are home to cafes and small exhibition halls, making it good to stay for a while and rest. It is a place where you can feel traces of the past up close in the city center, and is recommended as a walking tour course.

Former Oriental Development Company

Gatbawi Rock

Gatbawi is a name given because there is a rock that looks like a person wearing a traditional hat (Gat) on the sea, and it is a representative coastal attraction of Mokpo. A gentle path leads to the rock, making it easy for anyone to walk, and from the observatory, you can see the city and the sea together. A coastal walking path is well maintained, so you can enjoy the scenery close to the sea by walking along the bottom of the rock.

Around sunset, many travelers take photos as the red-tinted sea and the rock harmonize. It is good to take a break at a nearby rest area or move along the coastal road to look around leisurely.

Gatbawi Rock

Peace Square (Pyeonghwa Plaza)

Mokpo Peace Square is a civic rest space with walking paths, fountains, and performance stages along the sea. It is good to walk along the sea during the day, and in the evening, the music fountain and lights turn on, changing the atmosphere. Cafes, restaurants, and accommodation facilities are concentrated nearby, making it a good place to stay during your trip. Outdoor performances are held in the summer, and there are many families and couples taking a walk on weekends. It is a good place to visit when you want to spend a relaxing time feeling the sea up close. The budget hotels recommended above are also located here.

Peace Square

Samhakdo Park

Samhakdo Park was once three small islands but is now connected to the mainland through reclamation, and is created as a waterfront park in the city center. A wide grass square, walking paths, and bicycle paths are connected, and in spring, cherry blossoms and canola flowers bloom, making it good for a walk. In autumn, silver grass and cosmos bloom, attracting many visitors to take photos. Inside the park, there is a children's playground and an observation deck, and many family travelers visit on weekends. It is a rest space close to the city center, good for a brief stop.

Gohado Island

Gohado is an island connected by Mokpo Bridge and the Marine Cable Car, and along with Yudalsan, it is a representative tourist destination in Mokpo. Coastal walking paths, a skywalk, and observatories are created throughout the island, and the course connecting by foot after taking the cable car is especially popular. From the observatory, you can see the archipelago and downtown Mokpo at a glance, and on clear days, you can even see as far as Wando. In the center of the island, there is the 'Yi Sun-sin Historic Site', which restored the naval base of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, making it good for a history tour. It is accessible by car.

Gohado Yi Sun-sin Historic Site

National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage (Mokpo Maritime Museum)

This museum specializes in Korea's maritime artifacts, displaying over 10,000 items including ceramics, wooden tags, and maritime trade artifacts salvaged from the Sinan shipwreck. In addition to the permanent exhibition, seasonal special exhibitions are held, and a children's experience space is provided, making it suitable for family visits. The movement path inside the exhibition hall is simple, making it easy to view, and it is good to bundle it with Yudalsan and Mokpo Marine Cable Car as a course.

Maritime Cultural Heritage Museum

Mokpo Natural History Museum

Mokpo Natural History Museum is the largest natural history exhibition hall in Korea, where you can see various exhibitions such as dinosaur fossils and marine life specimens. The interior is divided into the Dinosaur Hall, Ocean Hall, and Mankind Hall, and life-size dinosaur models and restored fossil exhibits are striking. There are spaces for children to experience, so there are many family visitors. Nearby are the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage and the Living Ceramics Museum, so it is good to look around together. It is not affected by the weather, making it a good place to schedule a visit with children on a rainy day.

Mokpo Seafood Market

Mokpo Seafood Market is a traditional market located near South Port (Nam-hang), where local fishermen sell the seafood they caught themselves. You can see a variety of seafood from the southern provinces such as live fish, dried fish, and salted seafood, and the prices are reasonable. Inside the market, there are restaurants that prepare sashmi immediately, so you can enjoy raw fish and spicy fish stew together. In the morning, you can see fishing boats coming in, and in the afternoon, it is a place full of vitality with local residents and tourists.

Mokpo Seafood Market

Mokpo Gourmet Trip: Recommended Restaurants

Hadang Meokgeori

The signature menu is Beef and Abalone Tangtang-i (Tartare), which is raw beef, abalone, and octopus tossed in savory sesame oil. You can wrap the beef tartare, live octopus, and abalone in seaweed or mix it with rice. The basic side dishes are also delicious, and various side dishes such as soy sauce marinated abalone, seaweed soup, grilled fish, and steamed eggs are served together, making it sufficient for a meal or as a snack with drinks.

Signature Menu: Beef and Abalone Tangtang-i (Tartare)

Price: 59,000 KRW (approx. $44 USD) for 2 people / 69,000 KRW ($51 USD) for 3 people / Extra Large 89,000 KRW ($66 USD)

Address: 98 Sinheung-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do

Hadang Meokgeori

Pomi Agujjim

A restaurant specializing in Agujjim (Spicy Braised Monkfish) with reasonable prices. You can adjust the spice level when ordering, and uniquely, you can order by the single portion. The side dishes and food are served neatly, and there is also an Agu Jiritang (Clear Monkfish Soup) menu that is good for young children to eat.

Signature Menu: Agujjim (Spicy Braised Monkfish), Fried Rice
Price: 1 portion 18,000 KRW (approx. $13 USD) (Minimum 2 persons)
Address: 168-12 Okam-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do (Pomi Agujjim Hadang Branch)

Pomi Agujjim

Eomji Garden

A Korean restaurant famous for its Beef Tartare Set Meal (Yukhoe Baekban) near Mokpo Station. It offers a large number of side dishes and a substantial composition. It is a place where you can feel the unique hand flavor of Jeolla province, with various side dishes including meat, fish, and vegetables. There are many local customers during lunchtime, and meals ranging from single-person sets to group meals are available.

Signature Menu: Yukhoe (Beef Tartare) Pot Rice Set, Jeyuk (Stir-fried Pork) Pot Rice Set
Price: Yukhoe Set 12,000 KRW ($9 USD), Jeyuk Set 10,000 KRW ($7.50 USD)
Address: 32 Bukgyo-gil, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do (Eomji Garden)

Eomji Garden

Manseon Sikdang

A long-standing restaurant near Mokpo Port, handling seasonal sashimi. If you crave sashimi in Mokpo, this is a place worth visiting. Depending on the season, they sell various seasonal fish such as pomfret, trout, and rockfish. The delicacy here is the Eel Soup (Jang-eo-tang), enjoyed in the Jeolla region. The broth, boiled down with eel, is rich and light. The side dishes served together are also delicious.

Signature Menu: Seasonal Sashimi, Eel Soup
Price: Pomfret Sashimi 60,000 KRW (approx. $45 USD) / Eel Soup 30,000 KRW ($22 USD) (for 2 people)
Address: 2 Seosan-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do (Manseon Sikdang)

Manseon Sikdang

Namdo Meokgeoribang

Located inside the Jungang Food Market near Mokpo Station, this restaurant sells everyday menus such as Stir-fried Sundae (Korean Sausage), Stir-fried Pork (Jeyuk), Spicy Chicken Stew, and Stir-fried Squid. It's the kind of place you want to make your regular spot when you want to enjoy familiar food with proper taste in a restaurant. Generous portions and various side dishes are served together, and it has a home-cooked meal atmosphere. In the late afternoon, it transforms into a "Silbi-jip" (affordable local pub) atmosphere where customers enjoy drinks with their food.

Signature Menu: Stir-fried Sundae, Stir-fried Pork, Sundae Rice Soup
Price: Stir-fried Sundae/Pork 20,000 KRW ($15 USD) / Sundae Rice Soup 8,000 KRW ($6 USD)
Address: 98 Sinheung-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do

Namdo Meokgeoribang

Colombang Bakery

A long-standing bakery representing Mokpo, a local landmark that opened in 1949. The representative menu is the Shrimp Baguette, a variation of the French baguette, characterized by its sweet taste with butter and sugar. In addition, classic menus such as Soboro bread, Ang-butter, and Chestnut bread are consistently popular.

The store is located in the old city center of Mokpo, making it a good place to stop by for a while during your trip to enjoy bread simply with coffee.

Signature Menu: Shrimp Baguette, Soboro Bread, Ang-butter
Price: Shrimp Baguette 6,000 KRW ($4.50 USD)
Address: 7 Yeongsan-ro 75beon-gil, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do

Colombang Bakery

So far, we have looked at accommodations, places to visit, and restaurants for a Mokpo trip. Mokpo is a city with many things to enjoy, from the sea to food and travel destinations. To properly enjoy Mokpo, I recommend staying for about 2 days and 1 night or 3 days and 2 nights to travel leisurely. I hope you complete your own Mokpo gourmet travel course by referring to the itinerary introduced this time.

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