Top 3 retro-style food alleys, perfect choices for the young!

[Jinjuseong Fortress] 
 

 Jinju has served as an economic and cultural center from a long time past. It is so much so that there is a saying, "What Pyongyang is to the north, Jinju is to the south when it comes to the place of rich supplies and beautiful landscape.” Since the foundation of the Goryeo dynasty, Jinju Jungang Markets traded rice with China. They were ranked fifth among the national markets in 1938. To the left of the large clock on the central road of the market lies Jinju Nongae Market. The two markets are located next to each other.             
 

[Jinju Jungang and Nongae Markets]

 There are many different well-known restaurants in each alley, but three distinguished places that captivated the young generation are: Jinju Jungang Market's New Food Alley, Nongae Market's Noodle Road, and Olppam Night Market. New Food Alley offers assorted menus that you must try. Under the retro-style signboards, you will find foods that stimulate your salivary glands such as yukhoe bibimbap (mixed rice with beef tartare), Jinju steamed bread, and tteokbokki (hot and spicy rice cake).
 Noodle Road, specializing in noodle dishes, is rather exotic. TThere are shops selling all possible dishes that can be made with noodles, such as spicy malatang, hot pot udon with plenty of fried tofu, Jinju naengmyeon (cold noodle), the popular noodle rosé Tteokbokki (hot and spicy rice cake), and rice noodle soup.

 As the name suggests, Olppam Night Market is a new attraction in Jinju that drives Saturday nights wild. Pick any dish out of the meat pancake, grilled pork belly and Vegetables, or lamb skewers. It will make a perfect match with beer. Let's get the party started at the night market with Jinju Jinmaek, a local brand beer. Complete the sticker tour card to receive a scratch lottery, that offers a 100% chance of winning. 
 

Addresses
- Jungang Market: 8-1, Jinyangho-ro 547beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Nongae Market: 12, Jinyangho-ro 569beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Operating hours: 04:00-22:00
Closed: 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month
* It takes 10 minutes by public transportation from Jinju Express Bus Terminal, or 40 minutes by public transportation from Jinju Train Station
 

【Top 3 Eateries at Jinju Jungang and Nongae Markets】

       
Beef Tartare Bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetable&beef)
Seasonal vegetables served in brassware bloom into seven colors so they are called Chilbo Hwaban (bowl with 7 jewels and flowers). Minced raw beef seasoned with red pepper paste, garlic, and sesame oil is placed at the center. Clams are finely cut to make a soup that comes with the mixed rice.
 

Jinju Naengmyeon       
North Korea has Pyongyang naengmyeon while South Korea has Jinju naengmyeon (cold noodle). Unlike Pyongyang naengmyeon, which is made by mixing buckwheat powder with a little starch, Jinju naengmyeon is made with buckwheat only. Jinju naengmyeon features a slice of beef pancake. Mushrooms are brewed together with seafood such as anchovies, clams, and dried pollack to cook the soup in which the cold noodle is served.
 

Honey Bread
There are many bakeries that sell honey bread, but the Jinju honey bread stands out by being coated with syrup like tanghulu, topped with a lot of nuts, and has red bean paste inside. The more you eat, the more you want. The bread is big, but you can finish in two bites if you cut it in half.

【Places to Visit】

Jinjuseong Fortress      
 Traces of bloody battles fought during the Imjin War (1592-1598) still remain in Jinjuseong Fortress. Standing out is Chokseongnu Pavilion, which is well-known as the place where a patriotic woman named Nongae sacrificed herself to kill the general of Japan by jumping with him into the Namgang River from the pavilion. The beautiful place with such a tragic history is one of the three major pavilions in Korea, along with Gwanghallu Pavilion in Namwon and Yeongnamnu Pavilion in Miryang. The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, which was started to commemorate the use of wind lanterns as a means of communication during the Battle of Jinju Castle, has now become an annual event representing Jinju. You can have a fantastic night along the Namgang River, where water, fire and light all intermingle in harmony. It is held every October, and 2023 will see it taking place from October 8 to 22.

Address: 626, Namgang-ro, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Inquiries: +82-55-749-5171
Operating hours
- Ticketed area: 09:00-18:00
- Open area: Summer 05:00-23:00 / Winter 05:00-22:00
Closed: N/A (open all year round)

Mulbitnaru Rest Area
 A modern interpretation of the curves, pillars and architectural style of Chokseongnu Pavilion’s roof received the best award at Canada’s “Wood Design and Building Awards.” Mulbitnaru Rest Area consists of six wooden pillars made of hundreds of tightly interlocked timber pieces and a large windowpane overlooking the Namgang River. It has quickly emerged as a hot tourist spot. A 30-minute ride in a boat that looks like the traditional pavilion takes tourists around Jinjuseong Fortress. You can get on board, Kimsimin Cruise, from Mangjin Quay just under Mulbitnaru Rest Area or across from the fortress at Chokseok Quay.   
Address: 187-3 Manggyeong-dong, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Inquiries: +82-55-761-3691
Operating hours: Tuesday-Thursday 13:00-21:00 / Friday-Sunday 13:00-21:00 (Closed Mondays)
 

Yudeung (lantern) Theme Park
 Somangjinsan Yudeung Theme Park is designed to allow people to enjoy the Namgang Yudeung Festival all year round while the actual festival lasts only 15 days a year. The place offers a good view of the Namgang River and Jinjuseong Fortress during the day, and it is even more beautiful at night. Climb the stairs, like salmon swimming against the current, from the parking lot, to be greeted by the mascot of Jinju City, Hamo. An hour will elapse in a blink while looking around the thatched houses made of oil lanterns and the cute zodiacal figures. After looking around, grab the elevator to go down and take a walk towards Cheonsugyo Bridge.
Address: 163-13 Manggyeong-dong, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do