Weekend made-to-order tteokbokki near Sinyongsan Station

Weekends are when my husband and I eat out, so I always end up thinking about what to have for lunch. While deciding what to eat this weekend, I remembered Hyeonseonine, where I had eaten really well before. We were also planning to browse Yongsan I'Park Mall, so we stopped by Hyeonseonine Yongsan Main Branch (현선이네 용산본점) while we were at it. I had been craving tteokbokki, so the menu was decided right away.

Hyeonseonine Yongsan Main Branch is not far from Sinyongsan Station, making it an easy place to visit. We walked over before looking around I'Park Mall and got there faster than expected. If you are looking for somewhere to eat around Yongsan Station or Sinyongsan Station, it is worth considering. The location was easy to find, too, which made a first visit comfortable.

We visited at lunchtime on the weekend, and it was still a little early when we arrived. Even so, quite a few people were already eating, and it was nearly full. There were only one or two open tables, so I thought we might have had to wait if we had arrived a little later. Going a little early on weekends definitely seems more comfortable.

A hearty lunch ordered at the kiosk

We easily ordered from the kiosk at the entrance and found a table. We tend to have quite a hearty lunch, so we generously picked the things we wanted that day, too. We ordered made-to-order tteokbokki, fried rice, and butter garlic fries. It was a fair amount for two people, but since it was weekend lunch, we decided to do it properly.

The made-to-order tteokbokki came out soon after we ordered. Cooking it at the table as it bubbled away made my appetite rise just looking at it. A delicious smell rose as the rice cakes and other ingredients came together in the sauce. Stirring it ourselves while it cooked was part of the fun that is unique to made-to-order tteokbokki.

The rabokki combination with added ramen noodles

We added ramen noodles, too, and this combination was really good. The tteokbokki seasoning soaked into the noodles, so we could naturally enjoy it like rabokki—tteokbokki with ramen. The spicy-sweet sauce worked well with both the rice cakes and the ramen noodles. If you are looking for good tteokbokki in Yongsan and like rabokki, I would recommend adding the noodles.

The basic danmuji (pickled yellow radish) and fried-batter crumbs were set out at the self-service counter. It was convenient to take as much as we needed. In particular, adding a little of the fried-batter crumbs to the tteokbokki gave it a nutty flavor, so it was nice to have according to your taste. With this self-service setup, we could immediately pick up anything we needed during the meal.

Butter garlic fries and fried rice, too

The butter garlic fries we ordered alongside it could not be left out. The crispy fries had that rich, nutty butter-garlic flavor, making them feel different from the tteokbokki. Picking up fries one by one while eating the spicy tteokbokki made for a nice combination, too. Sharing the sides between the two of us made for a very hearty lunch.

We usually like a substantial lunch, so we ordered fried rice as well. We were getting full after the made-to-order tteokbokki, ramen noodles, and fries, but we still enjoyed the fried rice. I had wondered whether to order several items from the start, but once we were eating, I was glad we had ordered a variety. It really felt like we had done weekend lunch properly.

A stop before or after I'Park Mall

After our meal, we went to browse Yongsan I'Park Mall. If you are planning to shop or look around nearby like we were, it works well as part of the meal itinerary. Yongridan-gil is close by as well, so it was nice for exploring the area. There is plenty to see and eat in Yongsan on weekends, making it a great place to start with lunch out and wander around.

If you are visiting by car, it is best to check parking in advance. Hyeonseonine Yongsan Main Branch does not appear to have its own parking lot, so using nearby paid parking is recommended. If you also have plans at I'Park Mall like we did, checking the mall parking option may be convenient. Since it is close to Sinyongsan Station, visiting by public transportation also seems like a good choice.

After eating the made-to-order tteokbokki, ramen noodles, fried rice, and butter garlic fries we ordered that day, both of us were very full. Still, every item went together well, and we enjoyed it all without leaving anything behind. I especially liked that the tteokbokki sauce did not become bland even after adding the noodles. It was a menu that suited a weekend lunch when you are craving spicy Korean snacks.

I had good memories of visiting before, and this time, too, my husband and I left satisfied. It may be busy at weekend lunch, so visiting a little early like we did could be a good idea. If you are looking for a good place to eat in Yongsan or around Yongridan-gil and want made-to-order tteokbokki, it is worth stopping by. If we have lunch in Yongsan again, I think we will return.