Mandarin fish from Geum River is well known local specialty that was offered to the King in Choseon Dynasty. Shintanjin area in the middle of Geum River has been known for good freshwater fish cuisine. In particular, since a hydroelectric power dam was constructed, the area is filled with a number of fish stew shops.

About 16 years ago, the first hot pot rice restaurant opened in Daeheungdong, Daejeon, with a hot pot made of high-grade ore. As it becomes more popular with taste better than those cooked in iron pot, a number of hot pot rice stores were newly opened in the city. By mixing nonglutinous rice, sorghum, beans, millet, ginkgo nut, carrot, etc., rice is stream cooked, served along with about 20 kinds of herbs.

It started as a means of living for agricultural farm to earn money on the side since early 1980’s. After a while, it became a unique dish in Daejeon area, forming Acorn Jelly village. It is a specialty that is prepared with anchovy, seasonings, sliced radish, kimchi, and laver, which is later mixed with meat broth.

Using local specialties such as ginseng, organic chicken, etc., there were a number of special local recipes created. It was later more developed as a health food, far different from chicken soup from other region. Based on the research on the creation of Daejeon Chicken Soup published on June 30^th, 1993, it was designated as a local delicacy.