Korean Winter Seafood BBQ Experience in Seoul – Oysters, Sandfish Stew & Grilled Smelt

Korean Winter Seafood BBQ at Mario House (Seoul Homestay)

Winter in Korea is the best season to enjoy fresh seafood.
During the cold months, many kinds of seafood become sweeter, fresher, and more delicious.

Among them, three winter specialties are especially loved by Koreans:

• Seokhwa (석화) – Fresh Korean oysters
• Doromuk (도루묵) – Sandfish, often cooked as a spicy stew
• Yangmiri (양미리) – Smelt, perfect for charcoal grilling

For this special winter meal, we prepared these three famous seasonal seafood dishes.

1. Charcoal-Grilled Oysters (Seokhwa)
Fresh oysters grilled over charcoal develop a smoky flavor and become incredibly juicy.
This is one of Korea’s most popular winter seafood experiences.

2. Doromuk Stew (Doromuk Jjigae)
Doromuk is a traditional Korean winter fish often cooked in a spicy stew.
The rich broth and soft fish create a warm and comforting dish, perfect for cold weather.

3. Charcoal-Grilled Smelt (Yangmiri)
Yangmiri is famous for its rich flavor and soft texture.
When grilled over charcoal, it becomes crispy on the outside and tender inside.

A Unique Rooftop BBQ Experience in Seoul

Although winter in Seoul can be very cold,
Mario House has a special rooftop indoor space where guests can enjoy charcoal BBQ.

With a heater nearby and the warm glow of charcoal,
we enjoyed grilled seafood and a glass of Korean soju together.

This time, the dinner was shared with three friends from the Gyeongsang region of Korea —
a fun and lively evening filled with delicious food and laughter.