Welcome to your K-local food trip! The highlight of this culinary journey is Wando "Abalone"—a nourishing delicacy cherished by Koreans for generations.

Abalone has long been considered a luxury seafood ingredient. Across many East Asian cultures, including Korea, abalone—with its sturdy shell and powerful suction cups—is traditionally seen as a symbol of health and longevity. And indeed, abalone is packed with beneficial nutrients known to help relieve fatigue and improve metabolism, making it a wonderfully nourishing food.

Today, most of the abalone enjoyed in Korea is farmed in Wando. In fact, Wando accounts for about 74% of the country's total abalone production, largely thanks to another local specialty—kelp. Since kelp is a primary food source for abalone, farmers in Wando strategically place their abalone farms alongside kelp farms, providing an ideal environment for abalone to feed and thrive.

Abalone can be enjoyed in many delicious ways. "Abalone Porridge," made by gently simmering finely chopped abalone with rice, is the perfect comfort food for when you're feeling exhausted, stressed, or simply lacking an appetite. Another delicacy is thinly sliced raw abalone, served with soy sauce or spicy "Cho-gochujang" (a sweet and tangy red pepper sauce), offering a refreshing taste of the sea. Steamed or grilled abalone dishes are always popular, and buttery sautéed abalone with fresh vegetables is another local favorite.

Freshly harvested abalone in Wando has a distinctively stronger ocean aroma compared to those you might taste inland, offering an authentic, briny flavor of the sea. This fall, visit Wando to savor fresh, nutritious abalone dishes—delighting your palate while boosting your health!