When I first came across the word “yeonswaejeom(연쇄점),”I couldn’t immediately guess what it meant. I could tell, though,that it was probably a Sino-Korean term,formed in a Japanese style during the colonial period. Yeonswaejeom.What kind of word was this? After looking it up,I learned that it was a term used at the timefor what we would now call a chain store. In other words,it referred to shops operating under the name “Hwashin.” So then,what exactly was Hwashin? It may sound unfamiliar to younger generations today,but for people older than me,it is a name that often rings a bell without much effort.…

On this trip, there were places I newly discovered,but there were also places I had known for a long time.Seongyeong Junchi Hoetjip is one of those places I already knew and liked,and Daemyeonggwan, which I’m introducing this time, is the same. Daemyeonggwan has a simple menu. There are only oxtail gomtang and dogani-tang.If you want both, you can order an extra portion. I usually eat the oxtail gomtang.When I have its rich yet clean broth,it feels like my energy is being restored. As usual, I stopped by the restaurant in the late afternoon,a bit after lunchtime.The place isn’t very large,so…

Since the purpose of this trip is walking around the old downtown area,I naturally look for restaurants located in the old town as well. Many famous places have branch locations in Hadang, the newer part of the city,which might be more convenient.But for someone who enjoys walking,the original location in the old town feels more appealing. Today’s lunch was at one of the most famous places in Mokpo. Jangteo Sikdang serves a few menu items,but its most famous dish is crab meat,made from blue swimming crab (Korean flower crab). Only the naturally sweet crab meat is carefully picked outand mixed…

One of the well-known foods in Mokpo is something called “Jungkkan.” According to what you can find through a quick search, the name comes from shortening “ganjjajang from Junghwaru” into “Jungkkan.”It seems that the original place is Junghwaru, located in the old downtown shopping area. However, since the day I planned to visit happened to be their regular day off,I ended up going to a nearby place called Daemyeongchun instead. I sat down at a table, ordered a bowl of Jungkkan, and waited.A group that came in after me also ordered Jungkkan.They asked the owner what “Jungkkan” meant.I listened carefully,…