Last updated on April 14th, 2024
Myeongjin Jeonbok (명진전복) is the best place to eat the fresh abalone. One of the must-eat in Jeju Island!
Located on the eastern side of Jeju Island, Myeongjin Jeonbok probably is the most well-known eatery to serve fresh abalone dishes not only to locals but also to tourists. It ranked high with number one on TripAdvisor with its signature abalone cuisine.
How To Queue And Order At Myeongjin Jeonbok
Proceed to the counter located at the entrance and ask for the queuing number. The ahjumma will hand you a small yellow slip to indicate your order.
No worry about the ordering process as the picture menu is well displayed in front of the counter. Just tick and choose the abalone dishes preferred. We expected the long waiting time but seems like today is our lucky day as ahjumma asks us to come back after 10 minutes. Probably we have already passed the peak dining hour.
A waiting room is available next to the restaurant. You can take a rest or stroll around the coastal beach right in front of the restaurant. We enjoy the sunset and the sea wind keep breezing toward us.
Myeongjin Jeonbok Menu: It’s All About Abalone
The menu of Myeongjin Jeonbok is very simple. It only served four types of signature dishes but everything to do with abalone. The four famous dishes are abalone porridge, abalone stone hot pot rice, grilled abalones, and sliced raw abalones.
We ordered everything except the last item, slices of raw abalone.
Abalone Feast With Amazing Side Dishes
Thanks to the short queuing time, we are heading back to the restaurant after the 10 minutes seaside walk. The restaurant is full of customers and the delicious smell of grill abalone. A big wide window at the restaurant provides the ultimate sea view dining experience.
Side dishes are served once we are seated. I would like to give a thumb up for their fast and efficient service.
Grilled Mackerel As Part Of Side Dish
Not to forget to mention the grilled mackerel which is served as part of the side dishes at Myeongjin Jeonbok. It was served in the middle of our dining, probably due to the grilling process.
The grilled fish is so juicy and I can feel the freshness although the exterior is grilled until golden crispy. We finish the whole grilled fish with empty the bones leave.
Abalone Sizzling Stone Pot Rice
The hot and sizzling abalone stone pot rice was served fast to our table.
The rice is cooked with carrots, sweet potatoes, red dates, and pumpkin, with fresh abalones sliced and layered on top of the rice!
How To Eat Abalone Stone Pot At Myeongjin Jeonbok Jeju
Thanks to our tourist’s face, the ahjumma at the counter came and explained how to eat the abalone stone pot rice. She helped us mix and scooped out the rice to the bowl, poured the water provided into the stone pot, and covered it by the lip.
Don’t wait and eat the rice as it tastes so good at hot! I can feel the pumpkin, red dots and abalone rice taste perfectly together.
After a few minutes, the leftover nice turn into soupy charred fragrance burnt rice with the abalone essence! You’re ready for the second way of eating abalone stone pot rice. It tastes amazing!
Abalone Porridge
Jeju abalone porridge is very famous and has many health benefits, especially for women. The abalone porridge served at Myeongjin Jeonbok was very comforting, especially to our hungry stomachs.
The taste of abalone porridge is rich by its creamy, savory and delicious. The dull brown color of porridge may not look as appetizing but it was superbly excellent with slices of abalone fresh. We are very satisfied with it.
Grilled Abalone
The grilled abalones were served on a piping hot plate. It cooked just nice with a little chewy juicy texture and went well at hot. The total of 11 pieces of grilled abalones is only ₩30,000, a truly affordable luxury meal.
I like the abalone sizzling hot stone pot compared with the abalone porridge. The taste of grilled abalone is so chewy juicy and amazing! Can’t comment on the slides raw abalone as we did not order it.
Overall it’s a very good dining experience and highly recommended it to everyone. One of the must eat at Jeju!
How To Go To Myeongjin Jeonbok Jeju
We are driving along the east coastline to reach Myeongjin Jeonbok Jeju. This restaurant is not easy to access by public transport. Understand it required another 20-minute walk from the nearest bus stop to reach Myeongjin Jeonbok by bus. Driving is still the best way to enjoy the beauty and most important food at Jeju Island.
Check out how to rent a car for your food journey at Jeju Island.
- Address: 1282 Haemajihaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea
- Opening Hours: 9.30 a.m to 9.30 p.m. Closed on Tuesday
- Korea GPS Tel No: 782-9944
