Balsan Korean restaurant: 3-hour free parking, big japchae, Mikodam

I wanted a clean, tidy Korean meal near Balsan Station, so I stopped by Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch (미꼬담 마곡발산점). You can get Korean dishes like seaweed soup, cockle bibimbap and soy-marinated crab laid out as a full table spread. The food was neat and not likely to divide opinions, so it felt like a great place to bring your parents or have a family meal.

Where is Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch, and is there parking?

Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch is at 42 Gangseo-ro 54-gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul (1st floor, Unit 2), about 200 m from Balsan Station Exit 4, roughly a 3-minute walk. It's open until 22:00, and there's a separate parking building next to the restaurant.

It's easy to reach by public transport, and the location works well if you're looking for a family meal around Magok or Balsan!

Hansang Gadeuk Hanjeongsik set for two: what's in it and the price

What we ordered at Mikodam was the Hansang Gadeuk Hanjeongsik set for two (한상가득 한정식 2인세트) at ₩46,000. It comes with 1 serving of seaweed soup, 1 serving of cockle bibimbap and 1 side dish.

We chose seasoned cockles (chomuchim, cockles in a tangy dressing) for the cockle part and Jeju yellow soy crab (제주황게장) as the side dish. The table fills up completely, so you can try a bit of everything, and it's a good setup when two people want a proper Korean meal.

Seasoned cockles (chomuchim)

For the set's cockles, I picked the chomuchim! They're dressed with a tangy kick that really wakes up your appetite, and they went perfectly with rice.

Part of the fun at a Korean restaurant is picking at all the side dishes, and having the cockles makes the table feel much richer.

Is this Balsan Station hanjeongsik spot good for a family meal?

Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch felt less about anything spicy or flashy and more about a tasty Korean table that anyone can eat comfortably. So I'd say it suits taking your parents out or a family meal better than a night of drinking with friends.

A spread with japchae and stir-fried pork too

Besides the seaweed soup and cockles I ordered as the mains, there was japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), jeyuk bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) and more, so it was fun picking and choosing. The japchae in particular wasn't a stingy little portion, it was quite generous, which I loved haha

With the stir-fried pork on the table too, you get a meat dish covered, and the whole spread felt even more filling.

Side dish: Jeju yellow soy crab

For the set's side dish I chose the Jeju yellow soy crab. With crab on the table, there are so many things to eat with your rice lol

Take a bite of seaweed soup, then cockles, then pile some soy crab on your rice, and anyone who loves Korean food should find it a satisfying combination. Personally, if you're torn on the side dish, I'd recommend the crab for people who like soy-marinated crab!

There was a good variety of namul (seasoned vegetable side dishes) too, which older folks would probably like.

Mikodam's signature seaweed soup

Seaweed soup (miyeok-guk) is one of Mikodam's signature dishes. The taste was familiar and comforting, like what you'd eat at home, and it went well with the other dishes.

It's not all strongly seasoned food. With something easy like seaweed soup on the table, I thought it would be especially good for visiting with older family members.

The rice was the best too!!!

Parking, reservations and birthday service conditions

Parking at Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch is free for 3 hours~ With seaweed soup, cockles and soy crab, there's a variety of dishes people of any generation tend to like, so choosing a menu is easy.

Reservations are possible for 4 or more, and a private room can be booked for 6 or more adults, so it looks fine for family gatherings or a birthday meal too.

If you visit within a week before or after your birthday, reserving for 4 or more and ordering 4 or more menu items gets you a birthday service of a large beef jeon (yukjeon, pan-fried beef patty). Proof of your birthday, such as an ID, is required!

Overall verdict

Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch is one I'd recommend if you want a clean Korean table spread near Balsan Station.

• Close to Balsan Station
• Seaweed soup + cockles + soy crab all as one table spread
• Food is tidy and reliably tasty overall
• A menu lineup that's good for bringing parents
• Recommended for family meals, birthdays and small gatherings
• Parking available

If you're looking for a place for a family Korean meal around Magok and Balsan, it's worth a visit.