Ilsan Anigol seaweed soup restaurant with baby chairs: Haenon Miyeok

It's been a while since my last post. Today I'm introducing a great spot for a family outing in Goyang's Anigol area.

I'd heard this place had become known lately as a seaweed soup restaurant, so my family and I headed to Haenon Miyeok in Ilsan. I was curious how much buzz a single soup could really generate.

What Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch is like, and where to park

Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch is a seaweed soup specialty restaurant on Anigol-gil, with a spacious parking lot and a building that looked upscale even before we walked in. The exterior was so neatly kept that if I'd just passed by, I never would have guessed it specialized in seaweed soup. Inside, the wood-toned interior and generous spacing between seats made for a quiet dining atmosphere. High ceilings and soft lighting made it comfortable to chat with family while eating.

Is Haenon Miyeok comfortable with a 20-month-old?

When we walked in, maybe because it was the weekend, there were a lot of families with kids. Baby chairs were available, so parents with babies could eat comfortably. The restaurant was spacious enough that it felt airy, and we never felt self-conscious about having a baby with us.

The self-serve bar let us refill water and basic side dishes as a family without any hassle. We could eat slowly without feeling rushed, which was nice.

Kiosk ordering and the one-dish-per-person rule

We visited at lunchtime and were seated right away with no wait. Ordering is done via kiosks at each table, and a sign explained the one-menu-per-person rule. There was also a notice that elementary-school-age children and up need to order their own separate menu item, which is worth knowing ahead of time if you're visiting as a family.

Set meal prices: abalone flounder 26,000 won, beef 20,000 won

We ordered two sets: the abalone and boneless flounder seaweed soup set (26,000 won) and the beef seaweed soup set (20,000 won). For two people, we paid 46,000 won total.

Since it came as a full set meal, the side dishes were set out generously. Fried mushroom sweet-and-sour bites, seasoned vegetable namul, kimchi, and squash — six side dishes filled the table — plus japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) and salad served separately. Each side dish was lightly seasoned rather than heavily salted, so they never felt overwhelming alongside the main dish.

The braised flounder served on the side was also nicely seasoned without being too salty, and went well with rice. The outside was coated in glossy sauce while the inside was moist and well-cooked, coming apart softly with each pull of the chopsticks.

How the abalone and flounder seaweed soup tasted

The main dish, abalone and boneless flounder seaweed soup, was the best thing we had that day. It came simmered down in a stone pot, generously packed with abalone and flounder flesh so every spoonful was hearty. The broth was rich yet clean and not overpowering, so I kept going back for more. The abalone had a chewy but not tough texture, and the flounder flesh was so tender it flaked apart smoothly with a spoon.

Wow... the abalone really made a difference. My baby is 20 months old and loves seaweed soup, and she ate it right along with us, really well. I felt so proud.

Abalone flounder soup vs the beef seaweed soup at Haenon Miyeok

We also ordered the beef seaweed soup, which was milder and more familiar in style. The beef was tender and well-cooked, giving the broth a natural savory depth, and the seaweed had just the right amount of chew without being too soft, which kept me reaching for more. Eating both soups side by side made for a fun taste comparison.

Verdict: is Haenon Miyeok in Anigol worth a family lunch?

Overall, the restaurant was clean and the food felt made with care, so it was a satisfying meal. I'd give it 5 stars, and I think we'll be back with the family again.