Gangneung Imone Saengseonjjim Review 2026: Skate vs. Cod Cheek Jjim

The Global Explorer Who Travels for Soccer

⚽Chukjiyun here, your trusty soccer-travel companion! :)

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:: Restaurant ::

🐟 Imone Saengseonjjim in Gangneung 🐟​

📑 Table of Contents
01	Successfully Reserving a Spot at Imone Saengseonjjim in Gangneung
02	Parking, Interior Vibe & Menu
03	Review: Steamed Skate & Steamed Pollock Cheek

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Even living in Gangneung, there are a few popular restaurants

I don't get to visit often because they're always so busy,

and one of them is Imone Saengseonjjim.

Perhaps thanks to Imone Saengseonjjim,

Gangneung boasts quite a few fantastic steamed fish restaurants.

But just how delicious is this place that everyone raves about...?

You simply have to try it at least once, right?

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of cooked fish,

so I didn't have high expectations at first.

More than the food itself, just getting a reservation here is a challenge;;

I even wondered if I'd ever get to try it.

But once I did, it was clear this place is a true gem, a must-visit.

If you're traveling to Gangneung, this is

a place you absolutely have to try at least once!

I'll put the restaurant information at the very bottom.

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01 Successfully Reserving a Spot at Imone Saengseonjjim in Gangneung

I had no idea reserving a table at Imone Saengseonjjim

in Gangneung would be this difficult... Haha.

My team leader at work knows so many great restaurants in Gangneung,

and he insisted we try it, saying we'd have to

call first thing in the morning to make a reservation.

"Huh???? What kind of place is that???"

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It reminded me of the time I called O-neunjeong Gimbap

right after getting off the plane in Jeju-do.

I thought, 'Surely not in Gangneung!' But starting from 9:30 AM,

when morning reservations opened, we kept calling

(afternoon reservations begin at 3:30 PM).

Our entire team was on it, practically glued to their phones!

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

After a few minutes, we heard our team leader's voice.

"Hello? I'd like to make a reservation for 5 people."

Wow! My team leader's power is seriously amazing! 😮😮😮

Last week, a friend also traveled to Gangneung and

tried calling Imone Saengseonjjim for an afternoon reservation.

They said they called a whopping 160 times!!!

They finally got through,

only to be told it was already fully booked. ㅠㅠ

If you're planning to visit Imone Saengseonjjim,

make sure you hit that call button the moment reservation hours open!!

Imone Saengseonjjim Phone Number

: 033-652-9959

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02 Parking, Interior Vibe & Menu

Given how many people flock here, I expected it to be

an old, rustic establishment. But the interior was

surprisingly spacious and clean.

Unlike most popular spots in Gangneung, this place is tucked away

behind Gyo-dong, which can be a bit inconvenient to get to.

However, the nearby parking lot was completely empty,

so we parked there. (This was during a weekday lunch in the off-season.)

Imone Saengseonjjim's menu is simple:

just three options: Steamed Skate (Gao-ri Jjim), Assorted Steamed Fish (Saengseon Modeum Jjim), and Steamed Pollock Cheek (Daegu Ppol Jjim).

Since there were five of us,

we ordered one Large Steamed Skate (Gao-ri Jjim) and one Medium Steamed Pollock Cheek (Daegu Ppol Jjim).

At first, I wondered if just one dish would be enough,

but it turned out to be a brilliant decision to order both! Phew!

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03 Review: Steamed Skate & Steamed Pollock Cheek

The reason I'm not a huge fan of cooked fish

is simply because I find it bothersome to debone! 😖

But with Imone Saengseonjjim's Steamed Skate,

with just a little effort...

The flesh just peeled off the bones beautifully!❕

And oh, the flesh was so wonderfully thick..🥹

I'm a big fan of fish meat, you know.

The sauce was also deliciously spicy and rich,

so anyone who loves a good kick of spice

would absolutely adore this flavor!🤤

It looks a bit spicy,

but it wasn't overly spicy at all!

And most importantly,

the taste difference between Steamed Skate and Steamed Cod Cheek!

I thought, "Only the fish type is different,

isn't it just the same sauce taste?" but

Absolutely not!

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The sauces for Steamed Skate and Steamed Cod Cheek taste different,

so you absolutely have to try both! ㅜㅠㅠ

As for how they're different...

I honestly can't describe it in words... My apologies!

But for me, Steamed Cod Cheek was more delicious,

while my other colleagues found Steamed Skate more delicious,

it was really split right down the middle!😲

Steamed Cod Cheek is a bit more

chewy and delightfully springy, perhaps?

while Steamed Skate is wonderfully tender!

Regardless of texture or sauce flavor, either way,

both are incredibly delicious, and mixing them with rice is also

the ultimate experienceㅠㅠㅠㅠ

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If I go to Gangneung again,

I'd probably call to make a reservation first thing in the morning!

ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

I'm totally hooked on Imone Steamed Fish!

But if you're going with just two people,

you have to choose a menu item,

what on earth should you choose?! ㅠㅠ

That's a mystery I haven't solved yet, haha!

If only I could really go,

I'd want to go 2, 3 more times –

this truly was a must-visit restaurant in Gangneung~!

▼ Recommended Places to Visit in Gangneung! ▼

Quick Summary💛

✔️ Lunch reservations start at 9:30 AM

Dinner reservations start at 3:30 PM

✔️ Steamed Skate vs Steamed Cod Cheek

That is the ultimate dilemma...

✔️ Even those who aren't usually fans of fish

will likely love this certified Gangneung must-try restaurant!

Imone Steamed Fish

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📅 Hours: Closed every Wednesday

⏰ Open: Daily 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

💤 Break Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

📱 Phone: 033-652-9959

🚗 Parking: Use the nearby public parking lot

📍 Address: 8 Gajak-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

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