Haeundae hagfish restaurant for a 93-year-old father: Hyejane San
In short
Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch is a hagfish (gomjangeo) restaurant inside Haeundae Traditional Market in Busan, with seating for 100 to 200 people. The writer and her sister took their 93-year-old father there and ordered the extra-large hagfish. Staff showed them the live hagfish, then cleaned and pre-grilled it for salt-grilled and seasoned versions, followed by fried rice to finish. Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch is a good Haeundae pick for a family meal of fresh hagfish with an elderly parent.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Haeundae Station Exit 3 · 6-min walk (store listing, Oct 6, 2026)
- Location
- 1F, 18 Gunam-ro 41beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (inside Haeundae Traditional Market)
- Getting there
- About a 5-minute walk from Haeundae Station Exit 1 or 3, toward Haeundae Traditional Market
- Hours (Mon–Fri, Sun)
- 3 pm–1 am (last order 12:30 am)
- Hours (Sat)
- 3 pm–2 am (last order 1:30 am)
- Seating
- Room for 100 to 200 people
- What we ordered
- Extra-large hagfish (salt-grilled and seasoned), fried rice
- Pick 2 set options
- Any 2 of: live hagfish, sashimi, grilled clams, live octopus, seafood stew, steamed clams, abalone
as written by the visitor on Jul 1, 2026
If you're looking for a good place to eat in Haeundae, Busan, Hyejane San Gomjangeo (혜자네 산곰장어) is well worth a visit. It's one of Haeundae's best-known hagfish (gomjangeo) restaurants: the live hagfish is prepared on the spot and brought out pre-grilled, and you can try both the mild salt-grilled version and the richly flavored seasoned version.
Why Hyejane San Gomjangeo for hagfish in Haeundae?
Hagfish is one of the foods you can't skip on a trip to Busan.
Haeundae Traditional Market has plenty of good eateries, but Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch stands out for its size and freshness.
They say its biggest strength is using live hagfish that arrives every morning, and serving it as salt-grilled, seasoned or pre-grilled to suit each guest's taste.
The spacious restaurant is comfortable for group gatherings and family meals, and it's popular with Busan locals as well as tourists.
How big is Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch, and what's on the menu?
The Main Branch sits right in the middle of Haeundae Traditional Market and is one of the biggest restaurants in the market. It holds 100 to 200 people, so company dinners and family gatherings are no problem.
The "Pick 2" set (골라먹자 2가지 세트)
The restaurant's signature popular menu is the Pick 2 set.
You can choose any two of the following:
- Live hagfish
- Sashimi
- Grilled clams
- Live octopus
- Seafood stew
- Steamed clams
- Abalone
You get fresh seafood at a reasonable price, so people are very happy with this set.
How was the extra-large hagfish with my 93-year-old father?
This time I visited Hyejane San Gomjangeo with my sister and my 93-year-old father. He has loved hagfish since he was young. It reminded me of going out for hagfish holding his hand when I was little, which made the meal even more meaningful.
The side dishes come out first. What we ordered was the extra-large hagfish.
Showing the live hagfish, then preparing and pre-grilling it
What impressed me most was that they showed us the live hagfish first, then prepared it and brought it out pre-grilled. You could feel their confidence in its freshness.
Salt-grilled vs. seasoned: the taste comparison
The extra-large salt-grilled hagfish was mild, with the hagfish's own nutty flavor coming through,
while the seasoned version had a deep sauce that soaked right into the hagfish, with a wonderful savory richness.
With the smoky grill flavor on top, I couldn't put my chopsticks down.
Finishing with fried rice in the leftover sauce
And of course, the last thing is fried rice.
The fried rice, stir-fried in the sauce left from the seasoned hagfish, finished the meal perfectly.
What a family meal means to a writer who loves walking
I love walking for exercise, so I often wander all around Busan. After a long walk I crave protein-rich food, but this day the time with my family felt even more precious.
Seeing my 93-year-old father say "It's delicious" with a bright smile, I thought that food isn't just about filling your stomach; it's time spent sharing memories and happiness. If you visit Haeundae, Busan, I hope you make good memories with family or friends over delicious hagfish.
Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch: hours and directions
- Name: Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch (혜자네 산곰장어 본점)
- Address: 18 Gunam-ro 41beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, 1st floor
- Mon–Fri and Sun: 15:00–01:00 (last order 00:30)
- Saturday: 15:00–02:00 (last order 01:30)
- Getting there: about 5 minutes on foot from Exit 1 or 3 of Haeundae Station, toward Haeundae Traditional Market
Hyejane San Gomjangeo: frequently asked questions
What are the signature dishes at Hyejane San Gomjangeo?
The extra-large hagfish and the Pick 2 set are the most popular menu items.
Which is better, salt-grilled or seasoned hagfish?
I recommend the salt-grilled for a mild taste and the seasoned for a rich, savory one.
Can Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch handle group gatherings?
The restaurant is big, so family gatherings, company dinners and group visits are all easy.
Summary in 3 lines
- Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch is a Haeundae, Busan hagfish restaurant with outstanding freshness, preparing live hagfish on the spot.
- You can enjoy both the mild salt-grilled and the deeply flavored seasoned versions.
- The big space also makes it a good pick for family meals, group gatherings and company dinners.
Where it is
18 Gunam-ro 41beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea부산광역시 해운대구 구남로41번길 18 1층 혜자네 산곰장어 본점
Hyejane Sangomjangeo Main: hours, menu and prices →
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