Kang Kyung, who once occupied the “three major markets of Joseon” with Pyongyang and Daegu, still remembers the revival of the time with the “Fermented Salted Salt Festival” every fall. The presence of a large market meant that there were a lot of goods and people coming and going. Thanks to him, Kang Kyung is also a living 'History Museum'. At the “Ganggyeong Fermented Jeotgal Festival”, the 17th anniversary of this year in 2013, we toured the history of Ganggyeong as well as various salted fish. Indifferent silver grass on the banks of the Geumgang River floating on the Hwangpo Sail Boat greets people.

Until October 20th, the 'Ganggyeong Fermented Jeotgal Festival' will be held at Ganggyeong Pogu, nearby Jeotgal Market, and the village of Oknyeobong. What is the taste of chopped salt that has been matured and fermented by traditional methods that have been practiced for centuries? There are not many people who gathered with curiosity from the first day of the festival. As I am looking at the festival hall, it seems like I came back to the peak of Ganggyeongpo-gu about 100 years ago. The history of Ganggyeong, where more than a hundred boats went in and out during the season, is depicted as a temple.

In order to know Ganggyeong Pogu, he must first look at the stem of the Geumgang he held. The Geumgang, which reaches the Cheonri, originates from Sinmu Mountain in Jangsu, Jeollabuk-do, and passes through the princess and Buyeo to dig into the river. The Geumgang stem splits between Chungnam and Jeonbuk until it reaches Ganggyeong and mixes with the West Sea. Located on the lower reaches of the Geumgang River, Kanggyeong is the deepest inland in the West Sea.

'Ganggyeong Pogu' plays an important role in the position of Ganggyeong where fresh and salt water flows. It was the largest fishing port on the west coast and the main point of transportation between Chungcheongdo and Jeolla-do. People flocked by waterways and by land, followed by supplies. It was also a passageway for seawater to enter the inland, making it a perfect destination for marine products.

The development of civilization was also rapid. It was said that it was equipped with electric water supply facilities in the 1920s, so it was once a place that achieved a really fast “modernization” on the Korean Peninsula. So far, the old buildings that remained all over town in Ganggyeong weren't the latest buildings at the time.

Banks and theaters also entered early, and Daejeon, Buyeo, Gongju, and Gunsan were in strong commercial areas. The former Hanil Bank Ganggyeong Branch (No. 324), Ganggyeong Labor Union (No. 323), Ganggyeong North Korean Methodist Church (No. 42), the former Namildang Oriental Medicine (No. 10), Ganggyeong Central Elementary School (No. 60), the former Ganggyeong Public Commercial High School Officer (No. 322), etc., hold their position and prove this. However, it is also true that it is not easy to remember the old movies of Kang Kyung after seeing them so lonely.

The shining days of Ganggyeong end in 1914 when the Janghang Line railroad was laid down and the Korean War was fought. As it was a big city, the damage of the war was great, and the development of overland transportation weakened the position of Ganggyeong Pogu. So a long time passed. Ganggyeong has become a quiet and small town, regardless of its prestige. The 'Ganggyeong Fermented Salted Salt Festival', which can remember the 'Ganggyeong' in its heyday, is only a relief. It is thanks to those who remember the film at the time, and the natives who took hold of the river after generations.

“Why is Ganggyeong Salted Salt famous?”
If you hold on to the merchants you meet at the festival venue and ask, anyone will respond. It is thanks to everyone who saw the heyday of this place or heard it through his mother.

“When the meat boats went in and out of muzzle here, then. Seafood is overflowing. If you let these go, you're all injured. That's why it's salted. Then you can leave and eat for a long time. There are a lot of salted fish markets around here, right? This neighborhood is an old-fashioned riverside muzzle. It's changed a lot now, but there's a waterway in front of that apartment over there. ”

Now that we have reviewed the history of Ganggyeong, let's go on a full-scale festival tour. Among the strongest salted salted fish, shrimp is the first choice. From 'yukjeot' in June, 'oot' in May, and 'chuot' in autumn. There are three types of shrimp sauce.

Of these, boiled and boasted flesh is the most precious body. Serve the best of the shrimp sauce. It is too expensive to make kimchi, so sprinkle it with sesame oil and eat it as a side dish.

After that, there is Otteo and Chuteo. The color is gradually reddening and squeezing. The price difference is also substantial. Per kg is 30,000 won for salted fish, 15,000 won for fried fish, and 10,000 won for chute.

Do not be surprised that it is too expensive. There is a 'dumb' inside the festival hall. Don't miss the ‘service’ that takes care of the price of oil, bachelor in front, and share of virgin in back. Also, keep in mind that you can taste cheaper ones with shrimps of different sizes. The sweet potato provided for tasting salty salted fish tastes quite good.

In addition to this, a wide variety of salted fish such as octopus, clam, squid, and scallops arouse the appetite. A bowl of rice is also possible for tasting.

If you've been watching salted fish, let's go to the ‘Ganggyeong Fermented Salted Salt Festival’, an ambitious work, and the salted kimchi experience. You can purchase cabbage kimchi at 12,000 won for 4 kg, 25,000 won at 10 kg, and bachelor kimchi at 10,000 won for 3 kg. You can add seasoning to the pre-cleaned ingredients and put them in a bucket. Those who want it, season it yourself, and if you don't want it, festival assistants make it. It is limited to 50 people a day, so if you find a festival, move quickly. In addition to this, the lobster catcher (entry fee of 2000 won) is also popular.

There is no worry even if you go out. A wide variety of foods excite the festival. In particular, the ‘Steak Buffet’ is a popular dish, where you can enjoy a variety of salted fish, meat, and rice at 10,000 won per person. If you like salted fish, you might want to stop by.

There are also various side events such as live performances of reeds, autumn concerts in Ganggyeongpo-gu, Pogurak Festival, and children's song festivals nationwide.

One more thing, don't miss the stem of the Geum River that climbs overlooking Oknyebong. This is the point where you can feel the autumn in the salted fish festival.

1.Access

Gyeongbu Expressway → Nonsan-Cheonan Expressway → Yeonmu Nadelok → National Road No. 68 → Ganggyeong
Jungbu Expressway → Honam Expressway Line → National Road No. 68 → Ganggyeong <2 hours and 30 minutes based on metropolitan area>

2. Restaurants around

Jade sulfate: Hwangsan-ri, Ganggyeong-eup / 041-745-4836
Dalbong Garden: Hwangsan-ri, Ganggyeong-eup / 041-745-5565
Ganggyeong Seafood Kalguksu: Daeheung-ri, Ganggyeong-eup / 041-745-3940

3.Accommodation

Geumgang Park: Daeheung-ri, Ganggyeong-eup / 041-745-2700
Famous parks: Jungang-ri, Ganggyeong-eup / 041-745-4320

※ The above information was created in October 2013, and may change later, so be sure to check it before you travel.
※ Information, such as text, photos, and videos used in this article, is copyrighted by the Korea Tourism Organization, and unauthorized use of the article is prohibited.