A Summer Journey to Hanjin Port
With summer upon us, videos of people splashing into valleys or the sea flood my social media feeds. The urge to escape somewhere isn't just due to the heat; perhaps it's the passion and vibrancy that this season brings.
The location where I found myself facing the sea was Hanjin Port in Dangjin. The old street vendor stalls have vanished, replaced by a new fish market.
At the end of the path leading to the parking lot stands a blue building. The walls are adorned with tiles depicting crabs, shrimp, and octopus, beneath which hangs a handwritten sign that reads 'Hanjin Port Fish Market,' which recently opened its doors.
Before entering, I pause to reflect on the name 'Hanjin' (漢津), meaning 'great ferry.' The fish market is flanked by old shops and the new fish center. Under green canopies, orange plastic chairs are stacked, and yellow umbrellas wait folded for the morning crowd.
In front of the shops, tanks hold rockfish and flounder, while snapper and bass swim gracefully. Nearby, live octopuses curl up in rubber bins, and eel slips through the water. The joy lies in reading the handwritten menu, where rockfish, flounder, and bass are priced by size, and seasonal fish like yellowtail and sea bream are highlighted in red when in season.
On the railing of the deck, an older name is also written: 'Daejin' (大津). Historical records mention this place as a significant ferry point, where ships and people once crossed the waters.
The first thing that captures my heart is, of course, sashimi. Rockfish sashimi is firm and sweet, while flounder offers a different texture between its flesh and fins. Eating thinly sliced fish with aged kimchi or soybean paste enhances the unique freshness of the West Sea.
If you're with a group, a platter of assorted sashimi is the way to go, served alongside various white fish, conch, octopus, and sea squirt, complemented by abalone, scallops, and sea cucumber.
The fish market's offerings are unpretentious yet honest, reflecting the catch of the day. When the tide is right, they serve what has been brought in that day, and if unsold, they wait for the next tide.
Stepping out towards the breakwater, the vastness of the sea unfolds before me, characteristic of the West Sea. The exposed seabed is littered with white oyster shells, and water quietly ebbs and flows through the rocks.
This was once a great ferry point where people crossed to Asan and Pyeongtaek. Now, a bridge serves this purpose, replacing the ferryboats of the past. The silhouettes of power plants and oil complexes blend the old with the new.
As I walk along the deck path leading into the forest, one side is shaded by dense trees while the other offers views of the sea. The silver railing curves gently along the path, adorned with flower-shaped pinwheels that dance in the sea breeze.
In the evening light, the path extends over the water, leading to a white observatory standing tall on its pillars. As I approach, I read the stories attached to the railing, including one about 'Hero Rock,' a red rock sitting on a reef about three kilometers east of Hanjin Ferry, linked to local legends.
Despite the changes over time, the spirit of honoring the sea remains intact. As I finish reading the stories, I reach the observatory, where the view reveals the endless sea. The waves gently lap against the pillars, and the breeze brushes my face.
Though the ferryboats and ships of the past are no longer visible, I stand here, connected to all that has come before. Time does not vanish; it ebbs and flows like the tides. New markets and decks will rise, and one day, another tide will fill this place.
On my way back, I notice the pinwheel still spinning, a reminder of the rhythm of time that has accumulated in this space. My summer experience at Hanjin Port is filled with stories of food and sights that are both abundant and rich.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224376151137
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