[Yangsan, Gyeongnam] The natural tastes of Yangsan

[Yangsan, Gyeongnam] The natural tastes of Yangsan

Chosun.com Media Reporting Team media@chosun.com

A typical scene in restaurants here in Korea is locals taking pictures of their food, which goes to show how much the people enjoy fine tastes or petite presentations.

Each city or region in South Korea has its own culinary specialty. Yangsan, the home of Mount Yeongchuk (1,087 meters), is popular for serving menus cooked with rich, fresh greens. 

<An herbal full-course meal, served in Yangsan.>

▶ Herbal full-course meal

Menu items in Yangsan cooked with herbs are guaranteed to be of high-quality because they are cooked with ingredients collected from nearby. 

The 20-something different kinds of vegetables serve as side dishes, and the main dish is rice, like ordinary Korean house meals. 

Some eateries also put their side dishes on sale, such as seasoned sesame leaves.

<Tongdo Chamsongyeopju, a type of traditional liquor.>

▶ Tongdo Chansongyeopju, a healthy gulp

Pine needles have a long, rich history in Korea, because late documents say they are effective for hair growth and longevity. They were often called the "food of Taoist hermits" because they "lighten one's body" and "fill and empty stomach."

Perhaps Tongdo Chansongyeopju, exclusively made in Yangsan, is famous for such reasons because the main ingredient is pine needles. Other substances include sticky rice and angelica keiskei powder. 

<Bus rides to Seoul, Busan and Daegu, among others, are provided at the Yangsan Inter-City Bus Terminal.>

▶ From Seoul to Yangsan

Six rides from Seoul to Yangsan, which lasts four hours, are provided each day at the Dong Seoul Terminal. Train rides take a bit longer (five hours), and are offered nine times every day at Seoul Station. For more information about bus rides, visit http://www.ti21.co.kr. For train information, visit http://www.letskorail.com. 

Yangsan in reachable via subway from Busan. Bus rides linking Busan and Yansan are also offered until 10 p.m.

※ Relevant information 

▶ Yangsan cultural tour

Homepage: http://tour.yangsan.go.kr

Contact: 055-392-2114