Tongyeong Travel Guide (Part 2): 5 Things to Do in Tongyeong — Villages, Food, and Everyday Life
This post is Part 2 of my Tongyeong travel guide and the fifth entry in my six-day winter journey through Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk—a trip shaped by coastal landscapes, lived-in history, and a slower, more reflective rhythm of travel.
The journey begins in Sancheong. You can read the first entry here:
https://enko.co.kr/sancheong-travel-guide/
The second and third entries cover Namhae German Village and the German Emigration Exhibition Hall:
https://enko.co.kr/namhae-german-village/
https://enko.co.kr/german-emigration-exhibition-hall/
The fourth entry introduces Tongyeong (Part 1), focusing on harbor history and Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s legacy:
https://enko.co.kr/tongyeong-travel-guide/
For the complete itinerary of the six-day trip, see:
https://enko.co.kr/korea-winter-trip/
Before Reading this Tongyeong Travel Guide
Before you dive in, download Naver Map — the navigation app many locals rely on in Korea.
It offers accurate directions in English for walking, driving, and public transportation.
Download Naver Map (Google Play) | App Store
🌈 Dongpirang — A Village Painted Over, Not Erased
Dongpirang literally means “the eastern cliff.”
Located on a hillside behind Tongyeong’s central market, this village was once on the verge of demolition due to redevelopment plans.
The turning point was simple:
“It would be such a waste to erase this place.”
A mural project led by artists and local residents
A shift from total demolition to preservation and regeneration
Murals renewed every two years
It is not a “pretty mural village,”
but a place where traces of everyday life were painted over instead of erased.
👉At the top of the village stands Dongporu Pavilion, a scenic lookout offering sweeping views over Tongyeong Port and the sea—one of the best photo spots to feel the coastal breeze after the climb.
Just below it is Mongmarda Cafe, a beloved local cafe whose name playfully combines Montmartre and the Korean word for “thirsty,” known for its terrace views over colorful village rooftops and the ocean.
One of the best things about Dongpirang Mural Village is its location—right behind Tongyeong Jungang Market. After exploring the alleys, you can simply walk down to the market for fresh seafood or Tongyeong ggulppang (honey bread).
🎼 Seopirang — Music and Literature on the Steps
If Dongpirang catches your eye, Seopirang slows your breathing.
The symbol of Seopirang is the 99 Steps.
As you climb, you’ll notice a piano staircase running alongside it.
Built using 140 existing steps
Designed in the shape of a treble clef
24 steps are playable piano keys
As you climb the piano steps, you’ll spot a mural portrait of Park Kyung-ni, author of The Daughters of Kim’s Pharmacy. She once stayed in Tongyeong while writing the novel, and the lower village area inspired places like Seomun Pass, Ganjang Valley, and Myeongjeong Spring.
At the summit of Seopirang stands Seoporu Pavilion, a historic lookout that once guarded the city.
From here, you’re rewarded with wide-open views of Gangguan Harbor, the old naval headquarters site, and Dongpirang across the way—one of the most panoramic viewpoints in Tongyeong.
“If you want to quietly catch your breath in Tongyeong, go to Seopirang.”
🍙 Chungmu Gimbap — Not Gourmet, but Survival Food
Chungmu gimbap was never meant to be fancy.
It began as a practical meal—plain rice rolls with no fillings, side dishes served separately, built to last under the sun and sea.
The reason was simple:
life at sea, military movement, and long hours of harbor labor.
👉 A structure made for survival, not show.
A typical plate comes as rice rolls, spicy squid (or baby cuttlefish) salad, and seokbakji—big, crunchy radish kimchi.
Today it’s a beloved Tongyeong specialty, but at heart, it’s still on-site food for people who worked by the harbor.
Around Gangguan Harbor, Chungmu gimbap restaurants line the streets. Most are good, but places that sell only Chungmu gimbap tend to keep things traditional and no-frills.
We stopped by Nam Mangsan Chungmu Gimbap, a tiny spot packed with locals. It was so satisfying that we somehow ended up ordering three servings—without even noticing.
🍯 Tongyeong Kkulppang — The Energy Bar of the Sea
Kkulppang (Tongyeong honey bread) was created in the early 1960s
as a snack that wouldn’t spoil easily in the warm southern climate.
High-calorie food for fishermen
Donut filled with red bean paste
Coated with grain syrup for preservation
Often described as:
“The Energy Bar of the Sea”
“Sticky but Sweet”
Best enjoyed with an Americano or Korean tea
Today, fillings include sweet potato, chestnut, yuzu, and more,
but its essence remains the same—
a hardworking snack born at the harbor.
🥜 Tongyeong Peanut Bread — A Warm Harbor Snack
Peanut-shaped mini cakes
Real peanut pieces inside
Best enjoyed fresh off the griddle
Helpful ways to explain it to international travelers:
“The little brother of Korean walnut cakes”
A classic winter comfort food
⚠️ Contains peanuts (important for allergies)
As you walk along Gangguan Harbor,
the smell alone is often enough to stop you in your tracks.
🍶 Tongyeong Dachi House — What Is “Dachi”?
Things to do in Tongyeong
“Dachi” is a drinking culture unique to Tongyeong.
Its name is believed to come either from the Japanese word tachinomi (standing bar),
or from a playful Korean phrase meaning “everything is here.”
At a dachi house, you don’t choose side dishes.
You order by the number of people,
and alcohol and food begin to arrive naturally.
There is no fixed menu.
The dishes depend on seasonal ingredients, the owner’s skills, and their mood.
Fresh sashimi and assorted seafood are common,
and as you order more drinks, more dishes continue to appear.
Dachi is not just about drinking—
it’s a table that completes itself over time.
Because portions are generous and alcohol is central,
it’s best suited for
✔️ groups of four or more
✔️ travelers who enjoy drinking
If you prefer lighter meals or quiet dining,
it’s perfectly fine to observe and save the experience for another visit.
Want to see what a dachi table looks like in real life? Here’s a quick video snapshot.
Things to do in Tongyeong
🌊 A Final Note — Come to Tongyeong
Come to Tongyeong—
where the sea is beautiful, villages rest quietly on the hills,
and food carries the memory of people who once worked by the harbor.
It’s a place where lively markets, everyday meals,
and the traces of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s history exist side by side.
If you’re looking for a Korean city where life, landscape, and history meet naturally,
Tongyeong is waiting for you.
Next: Read Part 1 — Tongyeong’s harbor history and Admiral Yi Sun-sin sites.
🏨 Where to Stay in Tongyeong
After exploring Tongyeong’s hillside villages and harbor food scene, staying near the coast or downtown makes getting around much easier.
Agoda — Often offers competitive prices for Tongyeong-si accommodations, especially for short stays.
Klook — Convenient for travelers who want to bundle hotels with tours or transportation.
💡 Tip: For easy access to Dongpirang, Seopirang, and Gangguan Harbor, look for hotels near downtown Tongyeong or the harbor area.
