Nanyeong Susan Mokpo Review: Authentic Hamo Shabu-Shabu

Nanyeong Susan in Mokpo Cheongho Market: A Local's Favorite Spot for Seasonal Hamo Shabu-Shabu

If you are looking for the ultimate summer stamina food in South Korea, look no further than seasonal Hamo Shabu-Shabu (pike conger eel hot pot). Here is my honest review of a legendary local spot!

During my recent trip to the coastal city of Mokpo, I knew I had to recharge my batteries with some seasonal seafood. I headed straight to Nanyeong Susan, a hidden gem tucked inside Cheongho Market that is incredibly famous among local foodies.

Nanyeong Susan: Essential Information

Address - 28 Seokhyeon-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do

Operating Hours - 09:00 AM to 09:30 PM

Closed - 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month

Phone - 061-284-7841

My sibling, who used to live in Mokpo, told me that entering through Gate 9 of Cheongho Market is the fastest shortcut to find Nanyeong Susan.

Super Fresh Live Fish and Mind-Blowing Seafood

From vibrant live fish to an array of exotic marine delicacies, Nanyeong Susan has it all!

While other stalls in the market were relatively quiet, Nanyeong Susan was absolutely buzzing with customers. I managed to snap these photos of the seafood tanks when the crowd cleared out for a brief second.

The water tanks were exceptionally clean and well-maintained, which immediately gave me peace of mind about the quality and freshness of the food.

Just look at those incredibly active and thick pike conger eels (Hamo) swimming around in the tank!

You are looking at our dinner, folks!

The Dining Space

Right behind the stall, there is an indoor dining space that feels like a lively community hub where locals gather to share stories over great food.

We arrived early, just before 5:00 PM, but the restaurant was already packed. I had to wait for a quick break in the crowd just to photograph the empty tables, and within minutes, every single seat was completely full.

From elderly locals and families to young couples and even a few adventurous international tourists, the diverse crowd proved that this place is a genuine Mokpo hotspot.

This restaurant was actually featured on the famous Korean TV show "6 O'Clock My Hometown" back in 2013. Having maintained their popularity for over 13 years, you already know their culinary mastery is the real deal.

I thought they only had the first floor, but my sibling pointed out that there is a second floor as well.

While I didn't go up myself, it seems perfect for hosting larger groups and gatherings.

Nanyeong Susan Menu

Menu

The menu features a fantastic variety of raw fish, assorted seafood, stews, and summer specialties like raw Hamo, Hamo Shabu-Shabu, and a combo set featuring both.

My sibling had never tried Hamo Shabu-Shabu before, but as a seasoned self-proclaimed foodie, I insisted that this is the absolute king of summer stamina dishes. We placed our order immediately!

A Generous, Hospitality-Packed Table Setting

Look at this incredible spread of complimentary side dishes (banchan): steamed broccoli, quail eggs, cherry tomatoes, sweet pumpkin, sweet corn, and even boiled silkworm pupae (beondegi)!

They also brought out a massive bowl overflowing with fresh vegetables for the shabu-shabu broth.

They don't skimp on anything here. We got a massive dollop of fresh wasabi, which instantly put a smile on our faces, and the mountain of wrap vegetables (lettuce and perilla leaves) was so generous we couldn't even finish them all.

I absolutely love silkworm pupae! They make the perfect savory appetizer to munch on while waiting.

Another unique side dish was the pickled bamboo shoots. Usually, I eat boiled bamboo shoots dipped in red chili paste or soybean paste, but this pickled version was so incredibly delicious that I took a dedicated photo to ask my mom to recreate it at home!

But wait, the real surprise was yet to come!

They served us a complimentary premium raw seafood platter featuring sea squirt, fresh abalone, sea cucumber, and scallops. The service and hospitality here are truly unmatched!

Honest Review of the Seasonal Hamo Shabu-Shabu

Finally, our main star arrived!

Are we sure this is only a two-person portion?!

The sheer volume and impressive size of the pike conger left us speechless. Better yet, it was meticulously deboned and sliced with surgical precision.

I've had Hamo Shabu-Shabu in other famous coastal cities like Ulsan and Yeosu in the past, but honestly, none of those places compared to this. The incredible portion size at Nanyeong Susan had us giving a double thumbs-up!

Once the rich, deep broth brewed from Hamo bones begins to boil...

Toss in all the fresh vegetables! Then, grab a piece of the thick pike conger with your tongs and gently swish it in the boiling broth for about 10 seconds.

As the delicate eel meat cooks, it beautifully curls up into what locals call a "Hamo flower"!

Here is a pro-tip for eating Hamo Shabu-Shabu like a local: place a piece of cooked Hamo on top of a crisp, raw onion slice, add a pickled onion, and top it with Nanyeong Susan's special signature sauce. It is an absolute explosion of flavors!

You can also wrap it in fresh lettuce or lightly blanch a fragrant perilla leaf in the hot broth and wrap the eel inside. The flavor is incredibly clean, delicate, and literally melts in your mouth.

It's the kind of deliciousness that makes you forget everything else around you!

The portion was so massive that it felt like an endless plate of delicious seafood!

Even my sibling, who was a complete beginner to Hamo, fell in love with it and ate non-stop. We fought the good fight and managed to polish off almost the entire platter.

Usually, locals love to make a savory rice porridge (juk) in the remaining concentrated broth at the end of the meal. However, because the portions were so incredibly generous, we were absolutely stuffed and had to skip the porridge. Talk about a successful stamina feast in Mokpo!

If you are looking to revitalize your body with incredibly fresh, authentic, and generous local seafood in South Korea, I highly recommend visiting Nanyeong Susan in Mokpo's Cheongho Market!