Gangwon-do, a province in the East of Korea, is well-known for its natural sites, vast history, beautiful beaches, and gastronomy. As part of the Korea Grand Sale, I had the opportunity to visit Gangneung, so far one of my favourite cities in Korea, and delve into the history of Ojukheon, Chamisul’s soju manufacturing process, as well as get to know Anmok Beach where the Korean coffee culture started.
Anmok Beach | Picture by Ana Paula Camacho Perez
Ojukheon
Our journey started with getting to know Ojukheon, widely recognised for its architectonical value and for having been the dwelling space for two of Korea’s greatest scholars and painters: Shin Saimdang and scholar Yi I (Yulgok), also seen on the 50,000 won and 5,000 won bills. The name of the house comes from two words, “ojuk” and “heon,” which mean “black bamboo” and “house” referring to the kind of material that it was made out of. Even now, there is a plum tree named Yulgongmae that has been kept since Yi I’s time as a living historical artefact.
Ojukheon & Yulgongmae | Picture by Ana Paula Camacho Perez
Shin Saimdang was an erudite skilled in multiple art practices, including painting, which are still in Ojukheon. She lived her whole life in Ojukheon, where she also raised Yi I Yulgok.
Yi I Yulgok was one of the greatest scholars of Confucianism in Korea, who focused on the application of Confucianist principles, ideas of social reform and national security, and whose school later developed into neo-Confucianism and started debates regarding the nature of the “heart-mind.” His ideas were transcendental, and many of his principles were said to have been set due to his mother, Shin Saimdang, who is seen as an example of motherhood.
Yi I Yulgok's original writings & Shin Saimdang's original painting | Picture by Ana Paula Camacho Perez
The house is interesting to visit to see the room of the Dreaming Dragon, where Yi I Yulgok was born, as well as the multiple rooms where they lived and studied.
Room of the Dreaming Dragon & Memorial to Yi I Yulgok | Picture by Ana Paula Camacho Perez
Gangneung Sundubu
On our way to our next stop, we tried one of Gangneung’s most representative dishes: Chodang Sundubu. This is especially important due to how it’s been prepared the same way since the era of Silla: instead of using salt to prepare it, people use ocean water, giving it a special texture.
Chodang Sundubu | Picture by Ana Paula Camacho Perez
Lotte Chilsung Soju Factory
The second stop of our journey included the Lotte Factory, where the soju brands Cheoum Cheoreom and Saero are manufactured. Our visit included two parts: first, we were taken to the factory, where we saw the history of the bottle designs and how they are manufactured. They explained to us that since the beginning of the manufacturing of Chilsung soju, the point was to make it the softest liquor.
History of Soju & Lotte Chilsung Factory | Picture by Ana Paula Camacho Perez
Second, we were taken to a soju-tasting session, which included projections of new commercials for Saero soju and was accompanied by snacks from the region. Moreover, we were able to make our own soju.
Soju-tasting session | Picture by Ana Paula Camacho Perez
Anmok Beach: Coffee Street
The final stop of the trip was the place where Korean coffee culture started: Anmok Beach. In the 80s, coffee vending machines were installed along the port of Anmok, which slowly grew to create “Coffee Street.” Nowadays, one of the key characteristics of Korea is cafe hopping, getting to know aesthetic and innovative cafes, all of which started from a small vending machine in Gangneung. Going to where it all started was an unforgettable experience, where we could get a nice cup of coffee and watch the waves of the Eastern coast of Korea.
Anmok Beach | Picture by Ana Paula Camacho Perez
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