Torched salmon sushi and futomaki takeout in Incheon: Minyeong Hwareo

Wanting to escape the city and feel some real greenery for once, I headed to Incheon Grand Park, which has plenty of well-kept green space even by Incheon standards :) But you can't have fun on an empty stomach, so of course I packed a bunch of food to bring along.

Where is Minyeong Hwareo Gongjang in Moraenae Market, Incheon?

On the way to Incheon Grand Park, I noticed Moraenae Market and decided to stop by, and that's where I discovered Minyeong Hwareo Gongjang, a sushi shop that's genuinely good. Hahaha, a familiar good taste is a scary thing — I was so happy to find it.

Minyeong Hwareo Gongjang, the sushi spot at Moraenae Market, is a bit inside the market, on the main street :-) There's a sign that's visible from far away, so I'd say the accessibility is pretty decent.

What sushi is on the menu at Minyeong Hwareo Gongjang?

The menu at this Moraenae Market sushi favorite is really varied, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable. You can choose your own combination from solo sashimi, omakase sushi, special sushi, and more — a nice touch.

Torched shrimp sushi, raw shrimp sushi — shrimp lovers probably can't resist those. There's also mixed shrimp sushi that looks so good; if you were standing in front of it you might not be able to decide, and you'd need someone else to make the call for you.

Garlic salmon sushi, raw salmon sushi, flatfish sushi, engawa (fatty flatfish fin) sushi, aged kimchi flatfish sushi — the lineup is so varied it's probably faster to ask what's not there. And as soon as something sells out, they refill it right away.

Even while I was taking a quick photo, customers kept coming and going, and the display case kept emptying out — that alone tells you how popular this sushi shop is at Moraenae Market. There were seriously a lot of people.

Free ice pack: how does the takeout arrive packed?

Here's the amazing part: they give you an ice pack when you buy sushi or sashimi — for free, not paid. So even during a short walk, the freshness doesn't drop, and you get to enjoy fish that's still bouncy and firm.

This is Minyeong Hwareo Gongjang's signature packaging bag. It honestly reminds me of a famous luxury brand — that's how sturdy it is. I think it makes a great reusable PVC bag or market tote.

Laying out the sushi on a bench at Incheon Grand Park

There was more food at Incheon Grand Park than I expected, but I was so proud of the Minyeong Hwareo Gongjang haul I'd grabbed at Moraenae Market on the way. Sushi is nowhere to be found here, so people actually looked at me with envy.

Oops, my mistake — I should've grabbed hot water. I'd brought an easy instant miso soup packet but couldn't even use it. Feeling like the unlucky protagonist of a classic tragic short story, I sighed and tucked it back into my pocket.

They gave us a generous amount of pickled radish and ginger, and the soy sauce here is so cute — it comes in a fish-shaped tube. Squeeze a little into a small dish and you can eat cleanly without getting it all over the place.

How do the futomaki and torched mixed salmon sushi taste?

We chose futomaki (thick sushi roll) and a salmon-packed mixed salmon sushi set — just looking at them made my mouth water. Ugh, writing a blog review on an empty stomach after working out really makes you appreciate food all over again.

Even at places known for good futomaki, it's rare to see ingredients packed in this generously — but Minyeong Hwareo Gongjang pulled it off. It's so big it's hard to fit in one bite, and it's delicious.

Next, the mixed salmon sushi — lightly torched first, then topped with what tastes like a mayo-heavy sauce, teriyaki soy sauce, and a bit of parsley. Loaded with savory depth, the soft salmon just melts.

Next, the raw salmon sushi. Plenty of places sell salmon sushi — sushi restaurants, marts, you name it — but the quality here is different. The color is beautiful, so fresh it's like it was quick-shipped straight from the Norwegian coast into my stomach.

Incheon Grand Park has plenty to eat, but no sushi, ha. So stopping by nearby Moraenae Market to pick up good sushi and eating it on a bench on a nice day sounds like pure happiness. Once fall comes, I, an office worker, will definitely come back for another round of bliss.