Hapjeong Thai spot: pho and coconut tamarind chicken, Saeng Augustine

Saeng Augustine is where I go when I'm craving pho and exotic Thai food. It's in Mecenatpolis, directly connected to Hapjeong Station, so it's easy to reach, and you can enjoy lots of Thai dishes in one place, which makes it popular for dates and family meals. This time I visited the Hapjeong branch with my child.

Mon–Sun 11:30–22:00 / Weekday break time 15:00–17:00 / No break time on weekends and holidays / Takeout and delivery available

Where is Saeng Augustine Hapjeong, and where to park?

This Mecenatpolis pho spot near Hapjeong Station is on B1 of Mecenatpolis. Walk past the Starbucks and you'll find it by the entrance to the Masitneun Georí (Tasty Street).

It's connected to the subway, so it's convenient on rainy or hot days, and if you drive, the Mecenatpolis car park gives you 3 hours 30 minutes of free parking, so no worries there either.

The weekday lunch menu also had tom yum noodles at a nice price.

What is the atmosphere like at Saeng Augustine Hapjeong?

Step inside and you notice a clean interior with a Southeast Asian feel. Soft lighting and plenty of seats made it comfortable to eat, and the tables were nicely spaced, so it suits family meals, dates and group gatherings.

The staff were friendly too, so the whole meal was a pleasant time.

Saeng Augustine Hapjeong menu

Saeng Augustine serves a wide range of Thai dishes: pho, pad thai, phu phong curry (crab curry), nasi goreng, tom yum goong and more, plus lots of sides. The menu is so varied that it would suit anyone you bring.

There are also well-put-together set menus for sharing several dishes, so first-timers can order without any stress.

Vietnamese beef pho / Coconut tamarind chicken

It looked mouthwatering! Both the pho and the chicken were satisfying.

How does the Vietnamese pho taste?

The pho came out first, and you could smell the rich broth just by looking at it.

The broth was clear but deep, clean yet full of savory umami,

and there was a generous amount of thinly sliced beef, which I was happy about.

Chewy rice noodles eaten with bean sprouts gained a crunchy texture and tasted even better. The broth was clean and savory, so I kept going back for more.

It's tasty as is, but stirring in hoisin sauce and chili sauce gives it a different charm, so it's fun to eat it another way too.

Coconut tamarind chicken: mild enough for kids

The coconut tamarind chicken we ordered alongside is chicken marinated in coconut milk and fried until crispy.

It came out freshly fried, with a nutty aroma, and looked delicious from the first glance.

A salad comes on one side, which is perfect to eat with it,

and the crispy outside with a moist, tender inside was so good.

Dipped in the sweet and salty tamarind sauce, it gained a tangy-sweet flavor that kept me eating, and my child said it was delicious and ate well.

It isn't spicy, so it was fine to eat with a child, and a good dish for the whole family.

It went really well with the pho too, and made me think of having a drink.

Verdict: pho and chicken for a family meal in Hapjeong

Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch is in Mecenatpolis right by Hapjeong Station, so it's easy to visit, and the clean interior and friendly service made for a good meal. The Vietnamese beef pho with its rich broth was appealing for being clean yet deep, and the crispy coconut tamarind chicken went well with its sweet and salty sauce, a nice combination with the pho. It's good for dates, family meals or visiting with a child, and if you're craving Thai food, I recommend this Mecenatpolis pho spot near Hapjeong Station, with its varied menu and generous set options.