Samgyetang lunch with extra abalone in Songu-ri, Pocheon: Haepumgye

If you're looking for a good health tonic restaurant in Pocheon, Haepumgye Pocheon Main Branch is the place.

I had some business in Pocheon today. Even when I lived in Seoul I'd never once been there, so this was my first visit. After finishing up, I had a meal with an acquaintance, and while looking for somewhere to eat we found this tonic food spot. Let me start this post on Haepumgye Pocheon Main Branch, a great lunch restaurant in Songwol-ri, Pocheon serving good samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) with octopus and abalone.

Where is Haepumgye Pocheon Main Branch, and what are its hours?

• Address: 164 Solmoru-ro, Sohol-eup, Pocheon-si (경기 포천시 소흘읍 솔모루로 164 A동 1층)
• Hours: 11:00-21:30 (last order 20:30)
• Parking: In front of the restaurant

Haepumgye Pocheon Main Branch, a great lunch spot in Songwol-ri, Pocheon for samgyetang with octopus and abalone, is a tonic food specialist located in Songwol-ri, Pocheon, where you can enjoy chicken dishes together with fresh seafood.

Parking and the dining room at Haepumgye

Haepumgye, a great lunch spot in Songwol-ri, Pocheon, has a spacious dedicated parking lot right in front, so it's convenient to visit by car. Since it draws a lot of family outings and group gatherings, the parking space is fairly generous, and it looks like even large vehicles could park there.

At Haepumgye, a great lunch spot in Songwol-ri, Pocheon, the first thing you notice walking in is the spacious, comfortable dining hall. The tables are spaced well apart so it never feels cramped, and it's set up so groups can dine comfortably too.

The overall interior is bright and clean, which makes it look like a great spot for a family meal with parents or for various gatherings.

Kids' space and the self-serve side dish bar

There's even a dedicated kids' space, which should be great for visitors with families.

There's also a self-serve bar set up, so feel free to help yourself to as many side dishes as you'd like without holding back.

There was plum tea prepared for dessert, but we were in a rush to get to our next stop and forgot to have any — a bit of a shame.

Haepumgye's menu and how to order by tablet

Haepumgye, a great lunch spot in Songwol-ri, Pocheon, mainly serves tonic dishes centered on Haepum Haesintang, Haepum Samgyetang, Baekhap Kalguksu (clam noodle soup), and dumplings, and you order via the tablet at your table.

The basic side dishes included chive sauce, baek-kimchi (white kimchi), napa cabbage kimchi, and kkakdugi (radish kimchi) — all clean-tasting and savory.

How does Haepum Samgyetang for two with abalone taste?

We ordered Haepum Samgyetang for two with one abalone added to each. Interestingly, the sticky rice came out separately, like this.

Unlike a typical samgyetang restaurant, Haepumgye, a great lunch spot in Songwol-ri, Pocheon, combines fresh seafood with baeksuk (whole boiled chicken) to bring out a deep yet refreshing broth — that's its biggest distinguishing feature.

Dipping the chicken and octopus in the special sauce

Haepumgye, a great lunch spot in Songwol-ri, Pocheon, has this special sauce — mixing in some dadaegi (spicy chili paste) and dipping into the special sauce added a whole extra layer of flavor, and it was really good. It was the kind of sauce I wanted to keep eating.

I kept dipping into the special sauce the whole meal. It cut through the richness first and left things clean, so I kept coming back for more. The chicken was boiled so thoroughly that it fell apart at the touch of chopsticks, with a texture that was both light and moist.

The seafood was served generously and was quite fresh. In particular, the octopus wasn't chewy at all — it had a soft yet springy texture.

The refreshing sea aroma from the seafood blended with the rich flavor of the chicken broth to create real depth. The broth was clean and light, yet deep. My companion was very satisfied too — it was truly a healthy meal.

Is Haepumgye Pocheon Main Branch worth a lunch visit?

• A special tonic meal combining seafood and samgyetang
• Generous seafood spread with octopus, small octopus, and scallops
• A course-style meal that includes noodles and porridge too
• Ample parking available
• Kids' room makes it suitable for family outings
• Clean restaurant and friendly service
• Recommended for group gatherings or meals with parents

It's a haesintang (seafood tonic soup) restaurant in Pocheon where fresh seafood meets rich samgyetang for a hearty, restorative meal.