Myeongjin Jeonbok 명진전복

Myeongjin Jeonbok is an abalone restaurant facing the sea on Haemajihaean-ro in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City. Abalone stone-pot rice and abalone porridge form the core of the menu, while grilled abalone and sliced raw abalone let a group compare the same ingredient across rice, porridge, grilled, and uncooked preparations. The stone-pot rice carries the flavor of abalone innards, with dates and chestnuts adding small pockets of sweetness. Diners first transfer the rice to a bowl and then pour hot water into the heated pot. The scorched layer on the bottom loosens into sungnyung with the remaining innards, creating a softer final course after the separate grains of rice. Removing enough rice before adding water preserves the contrast between the initial rice and the later scorched-rice soup. The porridge is the more unified, thick option, whereas grilled abalone adds a firmer texture and a more distinct seasoning beside either rice dish. Salted grilled mackerel is served with the meal, and a piece of the fish with the mild sungnyung helps balance the different components. Because the abalone dishes and mackerel already have a clear seasoning, alternating them with plain rice or sungnyung is more useful than adding condiments at the outset. The restaurant does not require every person in a party to order a separate rice dish. A smaller-appetite group can therefore share stone-pot rice, porridge, grilled abalone, and sashimi instead of duplicating one order. The kitchen uses cultured abalone, and the menu's value lies in comparing its innards, flesh, and texture through several cooking methods rather than treating rarity as the attraction. Sea-facing seats, a dedicated waiting area, and a broad parking lot suit an east-coast driving route. The key ordering choice is between a complete stone-pot meal ending in scorched-rice soup and a shared spread designed to sample several abalone preparations.