Traveling to Okcheon, Chungcheongbuk-do: Eating Olgaengi-guk, Riding an Electric Cruise Ship, and Visiting the Jeong Ji-yong Birthplace

Okcheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, is a travel destination with convenient transportation that can be easily reached when moving from Daejeon toward Daegu. According to a recently released video from the YouTube channel 'Mat Sangmu', Okcheon is an attractive place where one can simultaneously experience delicious food, the beautiful scenery of Daecheong Lake, and a literary atmosphere. The video introduces the diverse charms of Okcheon, from restaurants near the Okcheon Tollgate to electric cruise ships navigating the submerged areas of Daecheong Lake.

Olgaengi-guk, an Okcheon specialty with an exquisite refreshing broth

The start of an Okcheon trip is suggested to be Olgaengi-guk, which is loved by both locals and tourists. The presenter in the video visited 'Bokgol Olgaengi', located about 5 minutes (3km) by car from the Okcheon Tollgate. Despite the small scale of the shop, it is nestled in a quiet rural landscape where apple trees by the roadside are noticeable, and it is popular enough that customers wait in line. It is characterized by fast turnover, with a table becoming available in less than 20 minutes even while five teams were waiting.

Olgaengi-guk is characterized by a clean and refreshing broth made by boiling mallow leaves softly. The video reported that a spicy flavor rises in the broth, and the accompanying pickles are not salty but sweet, pairing well with the rice soup. In particular, it was noteworthy that the mallow leaves were not boiled too long, maintaining their shape while preserving a soft texture. This rice soup, which provides a refreshing taste with plenty of olgaengi, captures the palates of travelers with its faithful, basic flavor.

Electric cruise ship for the submerged residents of Daecheong Lake, the journey of Jeong Ji-yong-ho

After the meal, boarding a cruise ship to enjoy the scenery of Daecheong Lake from the Janggye Recreation Area pier follows. The name of this cruise ship is 'Jeong Ji-yong-ho', named after the poet Jeong Ji-yong. This boat has a slightly different character from typical sightseeing cruise ships. This is because it also serves as a major means of transportation for the submerged residents whose land access has become very difficult due to the construction of Daecheong Dam. Since the submerged villages are in remote areas that require crossing mountains to reach by land, the boat becomes a precious means of movement for the residents.

As Daecheong Dam is designated as a water source protection area, the operation of general cruise ships has been limited, but eco-friendly electric boats have been introduced and in operation since three years ago. The cruise ship departs twice a day at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and it is so popular that the 2:00 PM slot on weekends is often sold out. The blue waves of Daecheong Lake and the traces of the submerged villages seen while moving by boat provide a special experience to travelers. Through the swallowtail butterflies met on the boat, the scenery of Daecheong Lake, and the appearance of the submerged villages, the video vividly conveys the ecological characteristics of Daecheong Dam and the atmosphere of the submerged area.

Seasonal corn and thin-skinned handmade dumplings, Okcheon's food course

What adds to the joy of traveling in Okcheon is the food that allows one to feel the sense of the season. The Jangyatteul corn, which can be tasted until mid-October, is characterized by a chewy texture thanks to the well-timed harvest. The video emphasizes the taste of the corn eaten on-site and captures the scene of enjoying the season in Okcheon.

Additionally, 'Mother and Daughter Handmade Dumplings', located near the Okcheon Tollgate, is a good course for travelers to stop by. The dumplings here are characterized by having very thin skins, and the representative menus are meat dumplings (10 pieces for 5,000 won) and kimchi dumplings with a strong spicy aroma (10 pieces for 5,000 won). The kimchi dumplings are suitable for those who enjoy spicy food due to the strong spicy scent of red pepper powder.

The journey concludes by visiting the Jeong Ji-yong Birthplace and the literary museum. This place, where the poet's nostalgia can be felt, is a good place to wrap up the trip while feeling the literary atmosphere in a quiet atmosphere. Since Okcheon is conveniently located near Daejeon, it will be a satisfying trip if organized as a course connecting Olgaengi-guk, corn, riding the cruise ship, and literary exploration.