Chuncheon

Chuncheon is a provincial capital in Gangwon Province, South Korea, situated in a basin where the Han and Soyang rivers meet. The terrain rises into forested hills, while several reservoirs shape the edges of the city, creating bodies of water between residential and commercial districts.

The city was almost entirely destroyed during the Korean War between 1950 and 1953, then rebuilt over the following decades. Reconstruction led to a modern urban layout with few structures predating the war.

Locals gather around circular griddles to share meals prepared table-side, turning food preparation into a social event. Restaurants often display ingredients in open view, allowing diners to watch cooks toss chicken and vegetables over high flames before serving them directly to the table.

Trains on the Gyeongchun Line connect the station to Seoul in under two hours, while intercity buses serve different destinations across the province. Most points of interest lie within walking distance of the city center or are reachable by local buses that run until evening.

An entire street in the city center is devoted solely to restaurants serving one dish, with each establishment offering its own variation on the preparation. Diners can see through windows how cooks flip ingredients on large griddles built directly into the tables.