Haenam Uldolmok Specialty Mugil "Come Taste the Chewy Flavor"

Published 19 Apr.2022 18:27(KST)

Seasonal Barley Mullet Attracts Food Connoisseurs Continuously

Haenam Uldolmok Specialty Mugil "Come Taste the Chewy Flavor"

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] On the 19th, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that the mullet of Uldolmok, a famous specialty of Usuyeong, has returned by breaking through the strong currents.

Spring mullet, called Barisungeo because it is caught around the time barley ears ripen, is known for its sweet and chewy taste as it gains flesh before spawning in summer. It is characterized by a black area around the eyes and is caught from mid-April to early summer in June.

In particular, Usuyeong mullet, which swims upstream against the strong tides of the Uldolmok sea, has firm flesh and a chewy texture that captivates gourmets.

At the Haenam Usuyeong tourist site where Uldolmok is located, dip net mullet fishing has also begun.

Dip net mullet fishing, where mullet swimming against the strong currents of Uldolmok are quickly scooped up with a dip net, is famous as a must-see attraction of Uldolmok.

This fishing method has been passed down for a long time among Usuyeong fishermen and is carried out about once a day depending on the tide at the rocky shore under the Jindo Bridge pier. Visitors can watch the dip net mullet fishing from a deck built above the rocky shore for safety.

The mullet caught with dip nets is sold at restaurants within the tourist site, allowing visitors to savor the true taste of Uldolmok mullet with its chewy texture. Last year, the opening of the Uldolmok Skywalk and Myeongnyang Marine Cable Car at the Usuyeong tourist site has brought more vitality with spring tourists.

Fisherman Park Yang-ho, who practices dip net mullet fishing, said, “Mullet sashimi is popular because it is affordable and plentiful, but it is a dish whose true taste is hard to know unless you eat it locally. Watching the strong currents of Uldolmok right in front of you and eating mullet sashimi caught directly seems to be the secret to its special popularity.”

Fresh mullet sashimi is in season anywhere in Haenam, but the taste of sashimi eaten locally is inevitably special. Uldolmok mullet swim upstream to Imhado in Haenam.

Imhado pier, located at the exit from Uldolmok to the open sea, is a place where live mullet are auctioned daily. Here, besides wholesale, the taste of mullet sashimi made from fish caught directly by fishermen has become so popular by word of mouth that customers come specifically to enjoy it, forming long lines.

The price is also about 10,000 KRW per 1kg (2 fish), cheaper than the market, and since the sashimi is prepared right after catching the fish from the sea, the freshness is exceptional.

Tourists who bring their own dipping sauce and lettuce enjoy eating sashimi on the boat while feeling the cool sea breeze or visit nearby rocky shores and pavilions overlooking the sea view of Imhado. It is perfect for families to enjoy a cozy time without worrying about COVID-19.

The sashimi sold on the boat at Imhado pier is not sold once the caught quantity runs out, and daily sales vary, so it is recommended to check the local situation in advance before visiting.

Fisherman Park Sang-jun said, “With the lifting of COVID-19 social distancing, the number of customers visiting directly has already increased significantly, and we expect recovery to pre-COVID levels around the golden holiday period in May. Now that the difficult times have passed, I hope everyone enjoys Uldolmok mullet sashimi and heals fully in Haenam.”