I only just found out that Ilsan has its own Garosu-gil. Easy to mix it up with the one in Seoul… Anyway, Seochon Gyedanjip is famous in Seochon, with crazy long lines, but it has a branch on Garosu-gil, and here you don’t have to queue at all. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for that…

The area

Turns out it’s the entrance to Lake Park. Lots of people come through, but the shopping strip itself feels like it’s slowly dying.

The place

Partly because I went early, I guess, but there weren’t many people around.

Garosu-gil

There’s a mix of shops, but it all feels a bit run-down.

The menu

A simple menu, mostly seafood.

Mussel soup and veggies

The mussel soup has a clean, refreshing broth. With this on the table, you can happily start on the soju before the food you ordered even arrives.

Steamed sea snails (chamsora)

Steaming makes them nice and tender. Perfect with soju.

Boiled monkfish liver and innards

The quality on this one is excellent too. Really enjoyed it. With food this good at these prices, and no line, there’s a lot going for this place. If I lived in Ilsan, I’d be here all the time.

Beer

For round two we went to a beer bar nearby.

Nachos

There was so much powder dumped on top that I thought they’d be hard to eat, but they were fine, I guess.

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