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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

West Sea sunsets and seasonal dishes create a feast for the senses

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • The '2026 West Coast Sunset Dining' event combined scenic sunset views at Taean's Kkotji Beach with local seasonal cuisine and performances.
  • Over 300 attendees purchased tickets for the event, which featured a variety of dishes made from fresh West Sea seafood, including crabs and squid, alongside other regional specialties.
  • The event, in its third year but first time in Taean, aims to be a new model for culinary tourism, highlighting the region's natural beauty and local produce.

The picturesque Kkotji Beach in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, recently hosted a unique dining experience that blended stunning sunset views with the flavors of the West Sea. The "2026 West Coast Sunset Dining" event, now in its third iteration, offered attendees a multi-sensory journey combining natural scenery, local seasonal delicacies, and live music.

We focused on seafood from the West Sea. The most important ingredient was gamtae, which we used to make rice balls.

— Professor Bae In-hoDescribing the preparation and key ingredients for the '2026 West Coast Sunset Dining' event.

Set against the backdrop of the beach's famous rock formations, the event saw 300 guests seated at elegantly decorated tables. They savored a diverse menu prepared by culinary students and professors from Cheongwoon University. The spread featured over 30 dishes, with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood caught in the West Sea, including seasonal blue crabs, abalone, and squid, alongside regional specialties like Taean sweet potatoes and garlic.

"We focused on seafood from the West Sea," explained Professor Bae In-ho, who led the student team. "The most important ingredient was gamtae, which we used to make rice balls." Other highlights included crab croquettes, abalone, and sea trout, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the Chungnam region. The event, sponsored by the Korea Tourism Organization as part of the '2025-2026 Visit Chungnam Year,' aims to establish a new model for culinary tourism.

It's not often you get to see such a good performance in a rural area, and it's great to eat delicious food while enjoying good scenery.

— Kim Min-wookA 32-year-old attendee from Hongseong, expressing his satisfaction with the event.

The evening's ambiance was further enhanced by a performance from the popera group 'Artis,' whose melodies complemented the gentle sea breeze and the vibrant colors of the sunset. Attendees expressed delight at the combination of high-quality local food, cultural performances, and the breathtaking natural setting. The event's popularity was evident, with all 300 tickets selling out within two days of release, leaving a waiting list of over 300 interested individuals.

Abalone, one per person, please. We might run out.

— Event staffAnnouncing the distribution of abalone, eliciting laughter from attendees.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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