Wrap a raw oyster, sliced pork and kimchi inside napa cabbage at Oyster Island near Camp Humphreys, South Korea. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
It’s oyster season on the Korean Peninsula, where the popular shellfish are both a winter staple and an affordable delicacy.
South Korea is the world’s third-largest oyster exporter after France and China, according to the country’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. While oysters are often considered a luxury item elsewhere, they are widely available and reasonably priced throughout South Korea during the winter months.
One seasonal destination near Camp Humphreys is Oyster Island, a restaurant that opens only during oyster season, typically from November through January. This eatery specializes exclusively in oyster-based dishes and sources fresh oysters daily from Tongyeong, a southern coastal city that produces about 70% of the nation’s oysters.
Oyster Island's oyster and pork platter for two includes napa cabbage leaves for wraps, raw oysters, oyster pancakes, thinly sliced boiled pork, seaweed, dried seasoned radish and oyster kimchi. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
A popular menu item is the oyster and pork platter for two, priced at 22,000 won (about $15) per person. The large platter features napa cabbage leaves for wraps and comes with raw oysters, oyster pancakes, thinly sliced boiled pork, seaweed, dried seasoned radish and oyster kimchi.
Side dishes such as fishcake, dried seasoned peppers, miso soup and assorted kimchi accompany the meal.
Oyster Island near Camp Humphreys, South Korea, opens only during oyster season, typically from November through January. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
Oyster Island near Camp Humphreys, South Korea, opens only during oyster season, typically from November through January. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes)
Diners assemble wraps by placing pork, oysters and kimchi inside the cabbage leaves. The oysters can also be eaten on their own, dipped in red pepper paste or the restaurant’s house-made soy sauce.
From the first bite, it was easy to understand why oyster season is so highly anticipated here. These oysters tasted exceptionally fresh. Their texture was firm yet delicate, and paired with kimchi, crisp cabbage and other ingredients, each wrap felt balanced and comforting.
Rice topped with cooked oysters, dried seaweed and flying fish roe, served in a heated ceramic bowl and finished with sesame oil and soy sauce from Oyster Island near Camp Humphreys, South Korea. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
The meal concludes with a bowl of rice topped with cooked oysters, dried seaweed and flying fish roe, served in a heated ceramic bowl and finished with sesame oil and soy sauce.
Beyond the platter, Oyster Island’s menu features a wide range of oyster dishes, including fried oysters, oyster rice, oyster pancakes, oyster rice cake soup and oyster ramen.
Information displayed at the restaurant notes that oysters are rich in vitamins and minerals and are commonly believed in Korea to promote skin health and help prevent illnesses such as osteoporosis.
A poster outside Oyster Island advertises various oyster-based dishes, including oyster pancakes and the pork-oyster platter. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)
Oyster Island
Location: Hapjeong-dong 905-7, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Prices: The popular oyster and pork platter for two costs about $15 per person.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A 20-minute drive from the Millet Gate at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.
Information: 031-651-5582; parking available.
