Taean's Best Geukjiji & Gejang (2026): A Dongbu Market Food Guide

Geukukji and Ganjang Gejang: Culinary Delights in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do

Bapjwo Restaurant

A Delicious Food Trip to Dongbu Market

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#TaeanRestaurants #TaeanTravel #TaeanFood #TaeanGeukukji #TaeanGanjangGejang The places I initially planned to visit were already out of ingredients or fully booked, so I quickly searched for an alternative, and it turned out to be a massive success! This charming old-school spot (노포) has been around for ages. Everything was perfect, from the refreshingly cool Geukukji (게국지) broth (thanks to aged pumpkin) to the Ganjang Gejang (간장게장), packed with roe – a true 'rice thief.' My middle schooler son has this amazing trick where he can gobble down three bowls of rice just with Ganjang Gejang 🤤 'Taean Bapjwo'm.blog.naver.com

1. On a Quest for Taean's Best Geukukji

For the Gaecheonjeol (개천절) holiday, I embarked on a wonderful family trip to Taean (태안) with my son and parents.

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After soaking in the beauty of the Pink Muhly and Pampas Grass Festival at the nearby Cheongsan Arboretum (청산수목원), we knew that, as the saying goes, 'even the most stunning scenery is best enjoyed after a good meal.' So, I made sure to prepare a list of recommended restaurants nearby, all personally vetted and paid for (내돈내산).

However, Deoksu Sikdang (덕수식당), a renowned Geukukji restaurant in the quaint, seafood-focused Dongbu Market (동부시장) in Taean, was already preparing to close for the day due to running out of ingredients, even before lunchtime!

Taken aback, I called my second choice, Hayan Geukukji Tongnamujipsaramdeul Sikdang (하얀게국지 통나무집사람들 식당), a Blue Ribbon restaurant where a 2026 Korean Culinary Master, honored for their expertise in Korean cuisine, works. To my dismay, they were also fully booked until closing time, even before noon! I didn't even dare to consider trying a 'Hundred-Year Store' (백년가게) with such a long history, like Ttanttuk Tongnamujip Sikdang (딴뚝 통나무집식당), knowing how popular they must be.

Still, it would have been such a pity to leave Taean (태안) without trying Geukukji, its iconic local dish, which would have made for an incomplete food adventure. So, I frantically searched for other Geukukji restaurants nearby and discovered that 'Bapjwo' (밥줘) in Dongbu Market (동부시장) was also a highly talked-about spot!

When I called, they happened to have just one or two tables available, so we wasted no time and zipped over!

Fortunately, we managed to snag a parking spot right in front of the restaurant.

2. The Menu at Our Gourmet Geukukji Spot in Taean

'Bapjwo' (밥줘), nestled right in front of Dongbu Market (동부시장), has been a local favorite since 2009, exuding a charming, old-school vibe that has continuously drawn both residents and Taean (태안) travelers for years.

It perfectly captures the heartwarming ambiance of a bustling market alley, offering a comforting feeling, just like enjoying a meal at a beloved hometown kitchen.

While it started as our backup plan, I soon discovered that this gem was already a famous eatery near Taean's Dongbu Market (동부시장), having been featured on TV multiple times and even earning high praise from Chef Tonio.

Taean Babjwo (태안 밥줘)

Address

38-6 Sijang 5-gil, Taean-eup (태안읍), Taean-gun (태안군), Chungnam (충남)

Business Hours

10:00 - 21:00

Regular Day Off

Every Thursday

The menu features Spicy Blue Crab Stew, Gejang-gukji (게국지), Braised Beltfish,

Marinated Blue Crab, Marinated Jumbo Shrimp, and Duroochigi (두루치기).

For meal options, they offer Beef Tartare Bibimbap, Clam Hangover Soup,

Clam Kalguksu (Clam Noodle Soup), Dried Pollack Hangover Soup, Soft Tofu Stew,

and Doenjang Jjigae (Fermented Soybean Paste Stew).

With such a wide variety of dishes, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy!

Still, you absolutely must try Gejang-gukji,

a signature dish of Taean cuisine!

Menu Ordered

Gejang-gukji (Medium)

₩55,000 (~$41)

Ganjang Gejang (Soy-marinated Crab) - 2 crabs

1 crab: ₩25,000 (~$19)

Yangnyeom Gejang (Spicy Marinated Crab) - 2 crabs

1 crab: ₩26,000 (~$19) / Minimum order of 2 crabs

After finishing our meal, I was so impressed with the taste that I decided to get extra

Gejang-gukji and Marinated Blue Crab packed to take home for my friends and family.

3. Experiencing the Taste of Taean's Signature Dishes

The Taean and Seosan (서산) areas have long been known as regions with vast tidal flats,

where many neungjaeng-ige (능쟁이게), also known as chilge (칠게) (small shore crabs), reside.

In the past, these chilge (small shore crabs), about the size of an adult's thumb,

had no commercial value. However, in times when food was not abundant, they were made into gejang (marinated crabs)

and eaten as a side dish by common folk. In spring, leftover crab scraps from winter,

remaining soy sauce, and leftover kimchi and radish greens from winter would be fermented with added

fermented seafood (jeotgal) to boil Gejang-gukji.

However, this original version didn't suit modern tastes, so it's said to have evolved

into the Kimchi Blue Crab Stew form we know today, with its appealing clean and refreshing broth.

Recently, it has transformed with various flavors in different restaurants,

so you can enjoy a culinary journey tasting Gejang-gukji with diverse concepts everywhere you go.

The Gejang-gukji at 'Babjwo' restaurant was packed with large blue crabs,

along with refreshing napa cabbage kimchi and green onions. I wondered why the broth was so incredibly refreshing,

and then I noticed that aged pumpkin was also included! I thought I should remember this trick next time I make Spicy Blue Crab Stew at home.

It wasn't overly spicy and had a clean, refreshing taste.

It felt like a new dish, a blend of Spicy Blue Crab Stew and kimchi soup, making me want to keep coming back for more.

The perfectly savory Soy-marinated Crab

disappeared in the blink of an eye. My son, as soon as he saw it, ate the crab full of meat with exclamations of delight.

The seasoning was a work of art, and the sauce was delicious.

My middle schooler son scooped up the soy sauce, added crab meat, and finished three bowls of rice in no time.

There was so much meat that even my parents thoroughly enjoyed it.

We enjoyed it to the fullest, mixing rice into the crab shell.

While the Spicy Marinated Crab was also delicious,

for me, the Soy-marinated Crab was the real star.

Side dishes like Kimchi, Seasoned Seaweed, and Stir-fried Fish Cakes were served,

and they were all clean and delicious.

4. Concluding Our Taean Culinary Journey

Taean Dongbu Market (태안 동부시장) is a historic market boasting a proud 100-year history and tradition, which started as a five-day market and has maintained its place to this day.

Apparently, in the 1960s, it was a central hub for fish trading, exporting the region's abundant seafood to countries like Japan and beyond.

While it might not be huge now, it's still a wonderful market where you can browse fresh local produce, seafood, clothing, and various goods – perfect for a leisurely stroll after a meal in Taean.

Given its rich history, there are many famous eateries around, and we even spotted long queues in various spots.

By the time we left, even the Bapjwi (밥쥐) restaurant, where we truly savored Taean's local delights, had a waiting line.

If you're traveling in Taean, I hope you'll visit Dongbu Market to experience the local way of life and discover fresh West Coast delicacies like delicious Ge-gukji (게국지) and Ge-jang (게장).