Donghaean
동해안
About
Seafood pub in Ilsan Lafesta serving rare East Sea specialties, renowned for its fresh live anglerfish sashimi and boiled monkfish.
Tucked into building D of Goyang’s Lafesta commercial complex, a short walk from Jeongbalsan Station, Donghae-an functions as an unpretentious drinking den dedicated to wild-caught seafood sourced from the East Sea. Inside, the room lacks polished decor, leaning instead into the vibe of a neighborhood hideout where tables gather over green bottles of soju and platters of rare ocean catch. The kitchen's centerpiece is *hwal-agwi* (live monkfish), served as a pairing of raw sashimi and steamed *suyuk*. The sashimi arrives yielding yet tender—reminiscent of blowfish—plated alongside rich monkfish liver (*ankimo*) and fragrant water parsley. Diners wrap the translucent cuts with seaweed, aged white kimchi, and pungent *makjang*. Meanwhile, the accompanying monkfish suyuk steams atop a perforated tray; once the tender, bouncy flesh is finished, the staff removes the rack to unveil a clear, savory broth concentrated at the bottom of the pot, functioning much like a clean *jiri-tang* designed to prolong evening drinking. Beyond monkfish, seasonal specialties drive the dining room’s older, seafood-focused clientele. Palm-sized wild rock oysters (*dolgul*) arrive chilled and raw, served simply with a wedge of lemon. Bright red flower shrimp (*kkot-saewoo*) and spiky banded ridge shrimp (*dak-saewoo*) are brought out raw to show off their natural sweetness, after which the kitchen deep-fries the severed heads to crisp perfection. Portions for premium novelties like sea squirt (*dol-meongge*) and sea urchin (*seong-ge*) remain petite, reflective of high market costs rather than tavern bulk. While high-grade wild seafood pushes checks above typical neighborhood pub territory, the late operating hours—often stretching until 2 a.m.—keep tables filled with regulars trading pints over hard-to-find coastal delicacies.
Menu
- Live Anglerfish Sashimi and Boiled Monkfish Set₩80,000
- Botan Shrimp and Spiny Shrimp₩120,000
- 활아귀회₩55,000
- 할아귀수육₩55,000
- 할아귀탕₩50,000
- 활아귀회+아귀탕₩75,000
- 자연산세꼬시₩70,000
- 도다리막회세꼬시₩60,000
- 자연산계절사시미
- 동해안 돌굴₩45,000
- 동해안 성게₩45,000
Local tips
- Order the monkfish sashimi and boiled monkfish set; the rich broth below the steamer is a highlight.
- Advance phone reservation is recommended, especially for groups or specialty orders.
- Late-night dining is available, open until 2:00 AM on most days (midnight on Sundays).
Details
- Jeongbalsan Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 15:00–23:00
- Monday
- 16:00–02:00
- Tuesday
- 16:00–02:00
- Wednesday
- 16:00–02:00
- Thursday
- 16:00–02:00
- Friday
- 16:00–02:00
- Saturday
- 16:00–02:00