A Glimpse of Chungnam's Living Legends: Nopo Restaurants Featured in New Culinary Tourism Guidebook

Chungnam Culture and Tourism Foundation Publishes "Chungnam Nopo Restaurants You’ll Regret Missing" Featuring 231 Establishments Across 15 Cities and Counties
Promoting "Delicious Chungnam" with Culinary Map and Pop-up Store

The long-standing "Nopo" (old and cherished) restaurants of South Chungcheong Province have been compiled into a single book.

The Chungnam Culture and Tourism Foundation announced on October 22 that, in celebration of the "2025-2026 Chungnam Visit Year," it has carefully selected local Nopo establishments steeped in tradition and warmth to publish the guidebook "Chungnam Nopo Restaurants You’ll Regret Missing" and a culinary map.

The guidebook features Nopo restaurants from all 15 cities and counties in South Chungcheong Province, selected through six months of on-site research and expert review.

The selection criteria were: the same location, the same owner or family, and the same menu maintained over many years-places that truly represent the authentic "local flavors" of South Chungcheong Province.

The 231-page book includes each restaurant’s year of establishment, signature dishes, the owner’s story, and their food philosophy. Four categories-taste, atmosphere, hygiene, and value for money-were rated with stars (★).

The appendix also features ten traditional liquor makers selected by South Chungcheong Province, as well as recommended restaurants and excellent accommodation options.

The foldable "culinary map" is designed so travelers can easily see the locations of the Nopo restaurants at a glance. Three thousand copies of the book and ten thousand copies of the map have been produced and are available free of charge at tourist information centers in each city and county.

Lee Kijin, CEO of the Foundation, said, "Nopo restaurants that have preserved their flavors with sincerity rather than capital are leading the culinary identity of South Chungcheong Province," adding, "We will promote the 'Delicious Chungnam' brand nationwide in line with the Millennials & Gen Z trend of 'Nopo tours.'"

In connection with this, the Foundation will operate the "Healing Tour Nopo Restaurant" program linking Nopo restaurants and tourist attractions, as well as a Geumsan Ginseng-themed culinary belt travel program. Next month, a South Chungcheong Province culinary pop-up store will also be launched at The Hyundai in Yeouido, Seoul.