Top 5 Must-Try Mackerel Kimchi Stews in Korea: A Culinary Journey

Daniel Kim 2026.03.28 Views

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Top 5 Spots for Mackerel Kimchi Stew

A beloved local favorite in Guri — Eorangchu
Notorious for its mackerel stew in Mullae — Somunnan Sikdang
Showcasing the essence of mackerel kimchi stew in Mapo — Gunja-ne
Mackerel with aged kimchi and wraps overlooking the sea in Aewol — Lee Chun-ok Original Mackerel Wraps
Half a century of know-how in mackerel wraps in Jeju — Seongsan Mackerel Wraps Kimchi Stew

When the sauce starts to bubble and the mackerel slowly cooks through, everything about this dish gets dialed up. The salty, slightly spicy sauce soaks into the fish, and paired with steamed rice it truly sings. The soft, flaky fish and the seasoned broth offer a simple but deeply satisfying comfort-food bowl. Like any treasured home-cooked recipe, every kitchen adds its own twist. Here are five restaurants where you can taste the very best versions of mackerel kimchi stew.

A beloved local favorite in Guri — Guri’s Eorangchu

This place is practically a household name in Guri. They cook the mackerel on a thick hot stone plate, top it with long-cut kimchi, and let it bubble right at your table — the kind of hands-on meal that turns dinner into an event. The menu centers on one star: mackerel stew. Sides like tteokgalbi (grilled short-rib patties), perilla-oil tofu pancakes, and buckwheat wraps round out the meal. Despite the stew’s vivid red color, the taste leans clean and savory. Using mackerel sourced from Busan’s Seondong market, they sear the fish on the stone first, then combine it with the kimchi stew — a technique that locks in juices for moist, delicate flesh. The lightly seasoned kimchi is perfect piled on rice or wrapped with a piece of tofu pancake. Pro tip: takeout is usually a bit cheaper.

See more about Eorangchu on Siksin

▲Location

145 Donggureung-ro, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do

▲Hours

Daily 9:00 AM–9:00 PM (Sundays open at 9:30 AM, B·T 3:00 PM–4:30 PM), closed Mondays

▲Price

Fresh mackerel with aged kimchi stew (for 3–4) 28,000 KRW (≈ $21.00 USD), perilla-oil tofu pancake 10,000 KRW (≈ $7.50 USD), tteokgalbi 10,000 KRW (≈ $7.50 USD)

▲Review

(Siksin 486620): This place blew me away! I usually avoid fish, but I ate everything here. They serve it like a kimchi stew and it was honestly amazing. The vibe is what it is… haha, but the food is guaranteed.

Notorious for its mackerel stew, Mullae’s Somunnan Sikdang

The storefront has that comforting, old-school charm. They serve only one dish — kimchi mackerel stew — and the kitchen times it to the number of people at your table the moment you sit. A bright, red stew and freshly made banchan (side dishes) make for a hearty, no-fuss meal. They toss plump mackerel in a special house sauce, then simmer it with kimchi so the flavor really penetrates the fish. Cubed radish picks up the sauce and becomes sweet and savory. The seasoning isn’t overly salty or spicy, so you can enjoy every spoonful. Lunchtime usually means a wait, so plan accordingly.

See more about Somunnan Sikdang on Siksin

▲Location

32-1 Dorim-ro 141ga-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

▲Hours

Daily 11:00 AM–4:00 PM, closed Sundays

▲Price

Kimchi mackerel stew (single serving) 12,000 KRW (≈ $9.00 USD)

▲Review

(Siksin Mini Ondukhu): The nutty mackerel and tangy aged kimchi are endlessly addictive. It’s lovely to finish with the scorched-rice tea they bring out at the end. Cute!

Showing the essence of mackerel kimchi stew, Mapo’s Gunja-ne

Near Daeheung Station, this Korean spot is known for perfectly executed kimchi stews and braised fish. Gunja-ne ages its kimchi for six to seven months, then layers it with mackerel and steams the whole thing — a method that keeps the fish juicy and flavorful. The stacked dish arrives at your table and you gently finish cooking it there; as it gets warmer, the rich umami from fatty Norwegian mackerel shines through. Rip off a kimchi leaf, wrap a piece of fish, and you’ve got the ultimate rice thief. Unlimited rice refills are a welcome bonus.

See more about Gunja-ne on Siksin

▲Location

53 Daeheung-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

▲Hours

Daily 11:30 AM–10:00 PM, closed Sundays

▲Price

Mackerel kimchi stew (single serving) 12,000 KRW (≈ $9.00 USD), hairtail kimchi stew 15,000 KRW (≈ $11.25 USD), braised hairtail 12,000 KRW (≈ $9.00 USD)

▲Review

(Siksin Mapo Foodie): The banchan are tasty from the first bite. Plus you can eat as much rice as you want. The flavor is outstanding — the umami from the Norwegian mackerel and the depth of the aged kimchi practically steal your rice. The broth is so compelling you can’t help but keep eating. I want to come every week.

Mackerel with aged kimchi wraps and ocean views — Aewol’s Lee Chun-ok Original Mackerel Wraps

This seaside seafood spot in Aewol serves mackerel with aged kimchi, whole grilled hairtail, grilled tilefish, and abalone hot pot. Their signature mackerel aged-kimchi stew arrives with plenty of greens so you can wrap the moist, kimchi-infused fish. The fatty, plump mackerel is ideal for wrapping, and a generous half-head of kimchi for two means you can pile it high on rice. Slow-cooked, tender radish is a delightful contrast. Another must-try is the whole grilled hairtail — oven-roasted and impressively large. With ocean-view seating, this is a perfect stop for both the scenery and the food. Book online ahead and you may snag a 10% discount.

See more about Lee Chun-ok Original Mackerel Wraps on Siksin

▲Location

7213 Iljuseo-ro, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

▲Hours

Daily 9:30 AM–9:00 PM (B·T 4:00 PM–5:00 PM), closed Tuesdays

▲Price

Lee Chun-ok mackerel aged-kimchi stew (for 2) 36,000 KRW (≈ $27.00 USD), abalone hot pot 17,000 KRW (≈ $12.75 USD), grilled mackerel 20,000 KRW (≈ $15.00 USD)

▲Review

(Siksin Ohputti): The large chunks of aged kimchi paired perfectly with the mackerel 🙂 Portions were generous — our family of four left full. The seasoning was spot-on, and wrapping it in greens made it even better.

Half a century of know-how in mackerel wraps — Jeju’s Seongsan Mackerel Wraps Kimchi Stew

With over 50 years of experience, Seongsan Mackerel Wraps Kimchi Stew sources mackerel directly from the Seongsan Fisheries Cooperative and crafts dishes with care. The plump fish stays juicy and soaks up the seasoning for a bold, satisfying bite. The kimchi balances crispness and softness and delivers a deep umami that wins you over fast. Served with fresh wrap greens, this is the place to go if you want the authentic mackerel kimchi stew wrap experience.

See more details about Seongsan Mackerel Wraps Kimchi Stew on Siksin ▶