Yeosu Guide: Hamo Shabu-Shabu at Geobukseon Hoetjip, Gat Butter Donuts, and an Ocean-View Stay at The Ark Resort
A restorative pike conger (hamo) feast with views of the Yeosu night sea, Gat Butter Donuts that reinvent Dolsan mustard greens, and a resort getaway on Dolsando Island
Comparison table at a glance
| Place | Area | Key features | Where it fits in your route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geobukseon Hoetjip hamo shabu-shabu | Yeosu coastal area | In-season hamo (pike conger) shabu-shabu and fresh raw fish | Dinner before or after seeing the Maritime Cable Car and Dolsan Bridge at night |
| Gat Butter Donuts | Old downtown (Yi Sun-sin Square area) | Yeosu's signature donut combining Dolsan mustard greens and butter | Afternoon snack and gift after visiting Jinnamgwan Hall and Odongdo Island |
| The Ark Resort | Dolsan-eup | Infinity pool that meets the sea and ocean-view rooms | One-night base on Dolsando Island linking Hyangiram Hermitage and Dolsan Bridge |
| Dia Motel | Downtown Yeosu | Reasonable rates and access to the old downtown | Value one-night stay or for late-night arrivals |
1. A Yeosu Sea Delicacy That Melts in Your Mouth: Hamo Shabu-Shabu at Geobukseon Hoetjip
The delicacy that food lovers visiting Yeosu name first is, without question, hamo (pike conger) shabu-shabu. At Geobukseon Hoetjip, a raw fish restaurant, you dip snow-white pike conger meat, finely scored with a knife, into deeply simmered broth for just 3–5 seconds as it comes to a boil, then lift it out to eat. Wrap the hamo, opened up like a flower, in raw onion or blanched garlic chives and dip it in the special sauce, and a clean yet nutty savory flavor fills your mouth.
Enjoy it for dinner after touring Odongdo Island and the Yeosu Maritime Cable Car, around the time the lights come on at Dolsan Bridge, and you get both the charm of the Yeosu night sea and great food at once.
Geobukseon Raw Fish Restaurant Hamo Shabu Shabu · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip After finishing the shabu-shabu, cook ramen noodles or porridge in the now-rich broth and you'll be full without ordering a separate meal.
2. A Playful Twist on Dolsan Mustard Green Kimchi: Gat Butter Donuts
'A donut made with mustard greens in Yeosu, the city of mustard green kimchi?' Take a curious bite and you'll fall for the sweet-and-salty balance of Gat Butter Donuts. Inside the fluffy donut, nutty buttercream and a subtly fragrant Dolsan mustard green paste come together for a clean finish that never feels greasy.
It's a great stop while strolling on foot around Jinnamgwan Hall in Yeosu, a National Treasure, and Yi Sun-sin Square, and with its neat packaging it's also a popular travel souvenir to buy for friends before catching the train at KTX Yeosu Expo Station.
Gat Butter Donuts · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip At popular times, the day's batch can sell out, so buy yours in advance during the day as you finish touring the old downtown (Jinnamgwan Hall).
3. A Getaway Base Embracing the Dolsando Sea: The Ark Resort
If sea views and a resort feel are your top priorities when choosing lodging in Yeosu, The Ark Resort on the Dolsan-eup coast is an attractive option. With ocean-view rooms overlooking the calm waves and islands of the South Sea and a wide-open outdoor swimming pool, it's a great place to spend relaxing time with family or a partner.
Staying at The Ark Resort in particular makes it easy to head early the next morning to Hyangiram Hermitage at the southern tip of Dolsando Island, saving travel time compared with setting out from lodging in downtown Yeosu to the north.
The Ark Resort · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip For a value trip focused on Yeosu's old-town night views, choose lodging downtown (Dia Motel, etc.); if your goal is a drive from Dolsan Bridge to Hyangiram Hermitage and a hotel staycation, choose a resort on Dolsando Island.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. In which season is hamo shabu-shabu at its best?
Pike conger (hamo) is considered in season from late spring through autumn, but specialty raw fish restaurants in Yeosu serve fresh seafood and shabu-shabu dishes in every season.
Q. How do I get from The Ark Resort to the Yeosu Maritime Cable Car or Hyangiram Hermitage?
It sits midway down Dolsando Island, so both Dolsan Park (the Maritime Cable Car boarding area) to the north and Hyangiram Hermitage to the south can be reached by car.
Q. Are Gat Butter Donuts spicy?
They don't taste like spicy kimchi; the flavor centers on an herb-like fragrance and nutty butter, so even kids can enjoy them without hesitation.
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