Jeollanam-do Province is full of beautiful places that maintain a tranquil ambience. There are many famous mountains, such as the Jirisan, Wolchulsan, and Mudeungsan Mountains, with natural sceneries so outstanding that you will never want to go back down. The coastal areas likewise impress with the islands of Dadohae and the wide tidal flats. One can even say that each step taken in Jeollanam-do brings you closer to cultural heritage, and delicious, sumptuous Namdo cuisine adds a gourmand’s joy to your Namdo trip. Damyang, the city of bamboo, is full of luscious green colors.
Sinan is a region with 1,004 islands embroidered above open seas. Another sight that must not be missed is the massive tidal flats, the largest in Korea, and the salterns that produce 70% of the sea salt produced in Korea. Goheung is considered a “space city” thanks to the presence of the Naro Space Center and the Goheung Space and Astronomy Museum. Citrus and pomegranate, grown in clean nature, are Goheung’s specialty. In November, you will find a beautiful view of citrus fields awash in a vibrant yellow and refreshing scent. Boseong is the oldest green tea farm in Korea. Don’t forget the silver sands and pine trees of Yulpo Beach and Beolgyo’s plump cockles harvested from endless tidal flats. There is even a hanok (traditional Korean house) village full of tranquil beauty, so you will find no shortage of places for healing. Haenam, located at the southernmost point of the Korean Peninsula, is a region of fertile earth, abundant water, and ancient historical sites.
Don’t miss Gwangyang’s white plum blossoms and yellow mustard flowers blooming along the winding curves of the Seomjingang River in the spring; Suncheon, famous for Suncheonman Wetland, one of the five greatest coastal wetlands in the world; and Gangjin, home to the thousand-year color of celadon and Namdo-style Korean table d’hote. Finally, head to Yeosu, considered to be one of the most beautiful ports in Korea. A must-visit site in Yeosu is the Yeosu Maritime Cable Car, which takes you atop the blue seas and along the beautiful sights.
Damyang has a warm climate and plenty of rainfall, making it a great place for bamboo to grow. Because of that, it is home to the largest bamboo habitat in Korea, making up nearly 35% of the total Korean bamboo habitat. Bamboo grows straight and tall at a fast rate—over 50cm per day—and is so versatile that from root to leaf, nothing goes to waste.
 | KISOONDO BAMBOO SALT This bamboo salt is made by filling thick and robust Damyang bamboo of the highest quality with sea salt sourced from Sinan’s Taepyung Salt Farm, then roasting it over 3 to 4 days. It is a bamboo salt used in all traditional sauces made by master artisans, such as soybean paste and red chili paste, so you can trust that it does not contain any chemical additives or artificial flavors. Kisoondo Bamboo Salt is less salty than standard salt and has a savory flavor imbued by bamboo sap.
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 | BAMBOO COREA 7 BAMBOO STICK The “7 Bamboo Stick” is a durable bent massage stick made of bamboo. Use the stick to massage the areas where fatigue builds up and causes discomfort, such as the neck, shoulder, or head.
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 | BAMBOO COREA BAMBOO HANDICRAFT From rulers that can be made to order to trays with variable sizes and storage boxes that can be placed on desks for desk organization, there are many crafts that can be made with bamboo.
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Q We’ve heard that there was a special instance that brought you into the world of bamboo salt. Since the 1980s, my husband has researched bamboo salt, so I ended up using bamboo salt rather than conventional salt in all the sauces and food dishes I make. Sinan sea salt from Taepyung Salt Farm is filled into a three-year-old bamboo stalk and fired two times. The sweetness of bamboo adds savory flavors, and the bamboo salt enhances the flavor of the food in turn.
Q Is there a specific characteristic that distinguishes your bamboo salt? We cut premium bamboo from Damyang, joint by joint, and fill them with Korean sea salt that has been drained of all bittern. The filled joints are stacked on top of each other in kilns made with fire-resistant blocks and clay and then fired for more than three days at high temperatures. Ultimately, the bamboo is burnt away, leaving only the white bamboo salt pillars behind. They are processed and packaged into fine powders for our customers’ convenience. Kisoondo Bamboo Salt, created with Korean sea salt and Damyang bamboo at high temperatures, can be used for a wide range of purposes, from kimchi-making and saucemaking to grilling and brushing one’s teeth.
