Homaesil fish restaurant, crispy croaker & mackerel sushi: Godeungeo

I went to Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch (고등어명품이되다 수원점) in Homaesil-dong for dinner with my husband.

It opened last year and I'd only ever passed by, so this was finally my first visit. I'd thought it was worth trying with my in-laws, who love fish, but there's a sad little story (?) involving mackerel that kept me away until now. This time I came with my husband to celebrate my Supermembers level going up.

Godeungeo Suwon Branch hours and parking

Godeungeo Suwon Branch is at 1731 Seobu-ro, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, on the 1st floor. It is open 10:40–22:00 with last order at 20:50. It runs extended hours in summer and has a large parking lot.

As you'd expect from a place with a reputation as a West Suwon favorite, it's easy to get to and the parking was generous. I liked it from the parking lot onward. It's huge. A roomy lot like this is hard to find in Seoul, so it put me in a good mood right away.

Atmosphere and how to order

The inside is also spacious and pleasant. It feels like you've gone out to the countryside for a day trip.

There were plenty of customers on a weekday evening, but the space is so big that it never felt crowded. The tables are spaced far apart, so it felt private, and overall it had a premium, being-treated-well vibe.

Water comes as bottled water. I personally prefer restaurants that serve bottled water, so I liked that.

You order easily at a kiosk.

We ordered these three dishes that day.

• Grilled mackerel
• Grilled croaker
• Mackerel sushi

The fish tank, self-bar and basic table setting

After ordering, I was looking around the restaurant when a fish tank caught my eye. It was full of mackerel. I never knew mackerel could look so shimmering. I don't usually film videos, but I caught myself recording one without thinking.

The country-of-origin labels were neatly displayed too, so I felt good about eating here.

The self-bar had a variety of side dishes, plus nurungji tea (sungnyung) and sikhye (sweet rice drink) for dessert. Just looking around the self-bar made me hungrier.

Back at our table, a nicely laid-out meal was waiting with the side dishes.

I was happy to see millet rice after so long, and the seaweed soup, which I ate with no expectations, was tastier than I thought.

There was a no-takeaway notice on the self-bar, and I wondered who would take side dishes home. But after tasting them, I understood the sign isn't there for nothing.

You have to try the mackerel sushi

The first dish to arrive at Godeungeo Suwon Branch was the mackerel sushi. The richness, the chewy texture and the freshness all satisfied me.

I fell for mackerel after trying mackerel sashimi on Jeju Island, and honestly, every time I passed this place I'd silently shout "mackerel sushi!" Finally, I got to meet it.

I thought I was eating slowly, but before I knew it only three pieces were left. My husband ate one, leaving two, and when I suggested we split one each, he said he'd already had his share and both were mine.

Nice. I ate one right away and saved the other, savoring it like dessert after the meal.

Oven-grilled mackerel and semi-dried croaker

We came to a mackerel place, so grilled mackerel is a must. The oven-grilled mackerel balanced the rich flavor of the fatty fish with just the right seasoning.

I carefully picked out the bones, and one bite told me just how good it was.

The grilled croaker was the most memorable dish of the day

The most memorable dish that day was the grilled croaker.

My husband ordered it, saying it's a prized fish and we should try it once, and I was won over from the first bite. The skin was crisp and the flesh moist. As I ate, the texture felt a little different from ordinary grilled fish.

Wondering if it might be semi-dried, I asked a staff member after the meal, and they said they really do use semi-dried croaker. My palate is uncanny, and a palate never lies, haha.

The distinctive flavor of oven-grilled fish really came through, and I understood why this place is known as a top grilled fish restaurant in Suwon.

Every fish was so good that I picked off even the meat clinging to the bones. I ate so frantically that my face ended up covered in soot, and my husband sat beside me laughing.

Is Godeungeo Suwon Branch good for a family meal?

The side dishes were satisfying overall, and the dining hall is large, so Godeungeo Suwon Branch is a good restaurant for a family meal in Gwonseon-gu.

After a happy meal, the table was full of empty dishes.

I hear that on weekends the big dining hall fills up with customers. There's also a separate waiting area at one side of the entrance, which felt considerate toward people who have to wait.

This visit showed me why so many people recommend it as a West Suwon and Homaesil favorite. The grilled croaker in particular was so good that I want to come back with my mom. It's good value and the space is large, so it's perfect for a family meal.

If you're looking for a Gwonseon-gu restaurant that's good for taking your parents, Godeungeo Suwon Branch is worth a visit. From the mackerel sushi to the grilled croaker, it was a very satisfying meal. Thumbs up~ ^^