Cheonbuk Oyster Village 보령 천북굴단지
Boryeong · Cheonbuk, Cheongso & Oseosan · Sights
A seaside cluster of restaurants on the north coast of Boryeong that grill oysters at the table, a winter ritual for Koreans. You are given a metal tray, a heap of oysters in their shells and a pair of gloves, and you cook them until the shells pop open. Alongside come oyster rice, oyster noodle soup and fried oysters.
The shellfish are plump and briny, and the whole experience is social and a bit messy. Prices vary by weight and restaurant. Weekends in winter bring queues, so go midweek if you can.
Bring cash as backup.
From Daecheon Station drive about 40 minutes, or take a taxi (a long ride, so agree on a return). Public buses are rare. (Show a driver: 보령 천북굴단지)
Show this Korean name to your taxi driver or match it to signs: 보령 천북굴단지
- Best time to visit
- November to March for oysters; other seasons the menus differ.
- Pair it with
- Sohyeonne Oyster Grill and Hunine Oyster Restaurant are in the same village, and Cheonbuk Green Barley Field is a short drive.
- Great for
- Couples, Friends, Families with kids, Parents
- Local tip
- Sparks fly when oysters pop on the grill, so skip your good clothes and ask for gloves and an apron. Oysters are in season from late autumn to early spring, and menus change in summer.