Mokpo Gogi Nara Seafood Review 2026: Epic Side Dishes

Mokpo Gogi Nara at Bukhang Hoe Center

The Local-Approved Hotspot with an Epic Parade of Side Dishes

When it comes to traveling in Mokpo, embarking on a culinary tour is an absolute must. At the very top of that foodie bucket list is the famous Mokpo Bukhang Hoe Center, renowned for its jaw-droppingly generous seafood spreads.

During my last trip to Mokpo back in 2020, I tried a different raw fish restaurant. But this time, I decided to visit Mokpo Gogi Nara, a highly recommended local gem with a name that instantly sparked my curiosity!

Mokpo Gogi Nara Essential Info

Address - B-dong 104, 48-16 Cheongho-ro 219beon-gil, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do

Hours - 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Last Order: 8:30 PM)

Closed - Every Wednesday

Phone - 010-3778-2719

With a name like 'Gogi Nara' (which literally translates to Meat Country), you might expect a Korean BBQ joint serving up pork belly or galbi. But as soon as we arrived, we were greeted by massive, pristine tanks brimming with live fish and fresh seafood.

Ultra-Fresh Catch Sourced Directly by the Captain

I was seriously impressed by how impeccably clean the tanks were—absolutely spotless and crystal clear! Just look at how active and lively all the fish and shellfish are.

Since conch, live octopus, sea cucumber, and spoon worm are my absolute favorites, I had to snap some close-up shots. You can literally see the freshness oozing from them!

While I was busy taking photos of the storefront, the owner caught my eye and welcomed us with the warmest, brightest smile. It instantly put my sister and me in a fantastic mood before we even ordered. She even proudly pointed out her photo with the famous local trot singer Park Ji-hyun, sharing the story in her charming Mokpo dialect. Her friendly, down-to-earth energy was incredibly endearing!

This spot was also featured on the popular Korean TV show KBS Live Info Show. The secret to their top-tier quality and unbeatable prices? The owner’s husband is an active sea captain who catches the fish himself, cutting out the middleman entirely!

I took a quick photo of the origin chart, and as expected, almost all of the seafood is locally sourced in Korea. Since I forgot to take a photo of the full menu, here is a quick breakdown of their set menus (which include the main raw fish and all side dishes):

Mokpo Gogi Nara Full Course Pricing

2-Person Set - ~$77

3-Person Set - ~$83

4-Person Set - ~$96 (Incredible value at under ~$26 per person!)

While it is a great deal for a duo, coming here with a group of four makes it insanely budget-friendly. It is the perfect spot for family gatherings or group trips!

Plus, there is a massive parking lot located directly across from the restaurant, so you do not have to worry about the hassle of finding a spot.

A Table-Bending Feast of Traditional Coastal Side Dishes

After ordering on the first floor, we headed up to the second-floor dining hall (known locally as a Chojang-jib). The table charge here is only about ~$3 per person, which is noticeably cheaper than similar setups in other coastal cities like Ulsan or Changwon.

Shortly after, the staff began lining up the side dishes (tsukidashi). There were so many plates that it took quite a while just to arrange them all on the table!

The spread included grilled abalone, flatfish, steamed corn, fermented skate (hongeo), sweet pumpkin, bamboo rice, sweet peaches, corn cheese, skewered octopus (nakji horongui), grilled fish, soy-marinated shrimp, live octopus, sweet potato tempura, dumplings, raw abalone, sea squirt, spoon worm, fresh ginseng roots, stone sea squirt, sea cucumber, scallops, and even injeolmi rice cakes!

Honestly, I lost count halfway through. The live octopus was so incredibly fresh and energetic that it was practically holding onto the plate for dear life!

Look at the incredible colors and variety of this ocean platter! Just looking back at these photos is making my mouth water all over again.

And of course, my beloved fermented skate (hongeo)! It is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it delicacy due to its strong, pungent aroma, but I absolutely adore it. My sister refused to touch it, which meant this entire plate of premium skate was all mine!

With a spread this incredibly fresh and vibrant, it would be a crime not to pair it with a drink. We ordered a bottle of Jinro soju and happily toasted to our sister trip!

We even poured our soju directly into the empty stone sea squirt shells. Drinking soju infused with the natural, sweet brine of the sea squirt is an unforgettable coastal experience!

Thick-Cut Flatfish Sashimi and Refreshing Clear Fish Soup

We were already getting full on the side dishes when the star of the show arrived: the main flatfish sashimi (gwang-eo). The slices were thick, glossy, and incredibly chewy, showcasing the ultimate freshness.

They also served a generous portion of the highly coveted fin strip (engawa). I enjoyed it wrapped in a fresh perilla leaf with a dollop of wasabi and a splash of soy sauce.

To round out a proper Korean raw fish course, you always finish with a hot, comforting soup. You can choose between a spicy fish soup (maeuntang) or a clear, mild fish soup (jiritang). We opted for the clear jiritang.

The broth was incredibly clean and refreshing, instantly soothing our stomachs. Pro tip: dip any remaining raw fish slices into the boiling broth for a quick, melt-in-your-mouth shabu-shabu treat!

Returning to the Mokpo Bukhang Hoe Center after six years was a massive success, all thanks to this local recommendation. Between the boat-to-table freshness and the mind-blowing variety of side dishes, Mokpo Gogi Nara is a culinary adventure you can't miss.