Valet parking Korean restaurant in Seocho, dinner for two: Naegohyang

Between the busy daily grind and the up-and-down weather, I was feeling a little worn out, body and mind. At times like this, I always end up craving good food — especially a clean, comforting Korean set meal. So this weekend I decided to properly heal with a real hanjeongsik (Korean table d'hote), and headed to a well-known Seocho restaurant, Naegohyang Jeju.

Naegohyang Jeju hours and 4,000-won valet parking

Naegohyang Jeju is open daily from 11:30 to 21:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00 and last orders at 14:00 and 20:00. Valet parking (₩4,000) is available, which made driving there very convenient.

Naegohyang Jeju / Daily 11:30 - 21:00 / Break time 15:00 - 17:00 / Last order 14:00, 20:00 / Parking available (valet ₩4,000)

This place has such a strong word-of-mouth reputation as a Seocho restaurant that I had high expectations even before visiting.

What the private rooms at this Seocho Korean restaurant look like

The moment I walked in, a clean and cozy atmosphere greeted me. There are also private rooms, which made it easy and comfortable to dine after a reservation.

Overall, the space felt refined and polished without being over-the-top flashy, which made me think it'd be perfect for bringing parents along, or anyone you want to treat well.

What comes with the Hallasan set for two

We had already decided in advance to order the 'Hallasan set' for dinner.

Not long after ordering, the table started filling up, and what unfolded in front of us honestly rivaled a royal court meal.

Every single side dish was plated so neatly and cleanly that I couldn't help but pick up my camera as soon as the food arrived.

Made with fresh Jeju ingredients, the dishes had colors that stood out from the start.

How were the sashimi and side dishes?

The sashimi pieces were all fresh with no fishy taste at all. Great texture too, and thick-cut, so it was perfect to eat.

The natural flavor of the ingredients came through, and the seasoning wasn't overdone, so everything felt gentle in the mouth. At some hanjeongsik places, all you taste is the seasoning and never the actual ingredient — but here, it was clear with every chopstick pick that the focus was on ingredient freshness.

Then the main dishes started filling the table one by one. True to a hanjeongsik built around Jeju's flavors, the seafood was fresh, and the meat dish that came with it had incredible depth of flavor too.

Grilled hairtail and perilla-oil abalone hot pot rice

A really big grilled hairtail came out too.

The grilled hairtail was golden on the outside and moist inside, with no fishy taste at all, so I kept going back for more. Taking a piece and laying it on top of rice sent savory, salty flavor spreading through my whole mouth.

It's an amazing match with the hot pot rice. They serve perilla oil alongside the abalone hot pot rice — mix a little in, and eating it with the grilled hairtail tasted just like the home cooking I grew up with.

The hairtail flesh was thick too, right? The portion was generous even for two people.

Braised mackerel and the seafood stew broth

The salty braised mackerel and the seafood stew broth that came alongside were also memorable. One spoonful of the deep, refreshing broth cleared my palate and warmed me right up.

The rice had a glossy shine with just the right stickiness, pairing wonderfully with the side dishes. I usually try to cut back on carbs, but the side dishes here were so satisfying and delicious that I ended up cleaning my whole bowl of rice without even realizing it.

The balance between the main dishes and the side dishes was so good that it was a happy dilemma figuring out where to point my chopsticks next.

Verdict: is Naegohyang Jeju worth it for two?

After finishing the meal, I felt pleasantly full and thought, 'I really got treated to a proper meal.' I'd been tired of heavy Western food and fast food lately, and after eating this clean, thoughtfully made Korean spread, my stomach felt at ease and the fatigue of the day melted away.

The clean atmosphere, friendly service, and above all the excellent food come together for a very satisfying time. I'm planning to bring my parents back to this Seocho restaurant next time!