Yeonggwang Gulbi, produced in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, has long been recognized as a regional specialty and a symbol of Korea’s traditional food culture, while also serving as a key driver of the local economy. Annual production reaches approximately 6,960 tons, generating about 201 billion won in sales, with roughly 428 businesses involved across the production and distribution network. The county has designated yellow croaker as its official fish, underscoring the product’s historical and economic importance. Gulbi refers to whole yellow croaker that is lightly salted and air-dried, a traditional preservation method that concentrates flavor and extends shelf life.
The area around Beopseongpo Port offers ideal natural conditions for drying gulbi, including steady sea winds, favorable temperatures, and balanced humidity. The region is widely regarded as the country’s largest gulbi production center and was designated as the Yeonggwang Gulbi Industrial Special Zone in 2009.
Yeonggwang Gulbi is made exclusively from domestically sourced yellow croaker and salted with mineral-rich sea salt produced in Yeomsan-myeon, Yeonggwang. The fish is processed using a traditional method known as seopjangbeop and naturally air-dried, resulting in a clean flavor and a rich umami profile.
Raw fish is sourced through auctions, with origin verification and cold-storage systems in place to ensure consistent quality. Production schedules are adjusted seasonally to maintain stable standards.
To strengthen brand credibility, Yeonggwang-gun is pursuing geographical indication registration for Yeonggwang Gulbi and planning the establishment of a yellow croaker aquaculture industry center to address declining catches. The county is also developing ready-to-eat products using gulbi to respond to changing consumption patterns and the growth of single-person households.
By building on tradition while expanding product diversity and industrial competitiveness, Yeonggwang Gulbi is positioning itself for sustainable long-term growth.
Source: Yeonggwang-gun Office
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