Exploring Masan's Culinary Delights: From Monkfish Stew to Pufferfish Cuisine
Masan.
I've visited Masan numerous times for various reasons, yet I've never pondered what food truly represents Masan.
On this particular business trip to Masan, I felt compelled to explore the culinary emblem of the city and discover its premier dining establishments.
Upon consulting Namu Wiki for insights into Masan, I stumbled upon the past promotion of the slogan “9 scenic spots and 5 beautiful taste.”
The first culinary delight mentioned is monkfish stew.
Monkfish stew is a traditional Korean dish known as "agu jjim" or "agu tang," where "agu" refers to monkfish. This stew typically features monkfish as the main ingredient, along with various vegetables and seasonings. The monkfish is known for its firm texture and mild flavor, which pairs well with the rich and savory broth of the stew. Common ingredients used in monkfish stew include radish, onions, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and chili flakes. The stew is simmered until all the ingredients are tender and flavorful, creating a hearty and satisfying dish that is often enjoyed during colder months. Monkfish stew is prized for its umami-packed broth and the delicate flavor of the monkfish, making it a popular choice in Korean cuisine.
The second item mentioned is shad sashimi.
Coincidentally, gizzard shad was chosen as the seafood of September. However, I'm not particularly fond of shad. While shad sashimi is palatable, I'm uncertain about the quality of grilled shad. Additionally, grilled gizzard shads were often sold in large quantities, leading to instances where ordering a sizable portion resulted in a high price and potential wastage if unable to finish it all.
The third item mentioned was a pufferfish dish.
Actually, I'm not very familiar with pufferfish cuisine. I'm aware of the existence of pufferfish and pufferfish sashimi, but that's about it. If Masan is renowned for its pufferfish cuisine, I'd love to try it out. After some searching, I came across a restaurant called Gwangpo Bok House.
Exploring Gwangpo Bok House: A Culinary Gem in Masan Fish Market
Gwangpo Bok House is located in Masan Fish Market. It appears that the exterior has undergone recent remodeling. While the updated look is tidy, some might prefer a design with a more traditional feel. Ultimately, the taste of the food is what matters most, as people will be drawn in regardless of the exterior appearance.
There were approximately 10 tables in the dining hall. As mealtime approached, more people arrived, and eventually, the curtains on one side were pulled back, revealing additional seating. I estimate there were about three times as many seats as depicted in the photo above.
Navigating Pufferfish Choices: Milbok vs. Magpie Bok Soup
I ordered milbok soup as I had researched in advance. However, all the guests who arrived later ordered magpie bok soup. I'm hesitant to order silver pufferfish because it's indicated to be made in China. However, it's also known as white pufferfish, so thinking of it that way, there's no reason not to order it.
The pufferfish, magpie puffer, and silver puffer all belong to the pufferfish family. Genetically, the pufferfish appears to be the most representative species, with the silver puffer, magpie puffer, and others considered its cousins. Upon searching, I discovered that black pufferfish, magpie pufferfish, and silver pufferfish are widely consumed as food. However, I'm honestly hesitant to choose it if it's made in China.
Exploring Essential Side Dishes: Seaweed and Anchovy Salted Fish
It's a simple yet essential side dish. Personally, I enjoyed the seaweed the most.
Anchovy salted fish. This was also delicious.
It's likely stewed pollack.
Soy sauce is not provided as standard and must be requested separately. Personally, I find that pufferfish meat pairs better with soy sauce to my taste.
Exploring Gwangpo Bok House's Milbok Soup
This is Gwangpo Bok House's Milbok Soup. It looks tidy.
The blowfish meat was incredibly fresh. Observing the freshness of the ingredients suggests that the restaurant is thriving. Utilizing fresh ingredients indicates good turnover in the restaurant. The fish flavor blended well into the soup, and the bitterness of the water parsley complemented it nicely. The familiar aroma of bean sprouts subtly masked the scent of pufferfish, enhancing the overall dining experience. Perhaps due to my limited knowledge of fish dishes, I couldn't discern if the broth was notably different from other fish stews. However, when I savored the fish meat, I could distinctly taste the flavor of pufferfish, which had a unique aroma compared to other fish. This distinctiveness added to my enjoyment of the dish.
Freshness and Subtle Flavors: Gwangpo Bok House's Pufferfish Soup in Masan's Fish Market
While it might be challenging to claim that the pufferfish soup at Gwangpo Bok House has a distinctive taste that sets it apart from pufferfish soup at other restaurants, its location in the heart of Masan's large fish market ensures exceptionally fresh ingredients. The soup boasts a subtle yet pleasant flavor profile. It's an ideal dish for those craving a savory soup with fresh fish meat, without necessarily desiring rice. During my meal, I noticed a man at the neighboring table accompanied by a middle school-aged child. While it may appeal as a great side dish for adults, I'm uncertain if it would be equally enjoyable for children. Although pufferfish stew is generally suitable for children, it would be nice if families could select menus that cater to everyone's preferences when dining together. This restaurant would be an excellent choice for days when appetite is lacking, and a change of cuisine is desired. If you don't already have a go-to pufferfish restaurant, consider giving Gwangpo Bok House a try.
