Gwacheon Korean restaurant for flounder seaweed soup: Haenon Miyeok

Where is Haenon Miyeok Gwacheon Direct Branch, and is parking easy?

I like seaweed soup, so I tend to try specialist restaurants when I see one. This time, three of us had the gajami miyeokguk jeongchan (flounder seaweed soup set meal) at Haenon Miyeok Gwacheon Direct Branch (해논미역 과천직영점), near Munwon-dong Community Service Center.

The address is 1F, 67 Araetbaeraengi-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (경기 과천시 아랫배랭이로 67 1층). Free parking was available, and it was easy to park when I visited. The hours listed in the original post were 11:00–21:00, with a weekday break time from 15:00 to 17:00.

At the time of my visit, there was also a notice about an event offering one abalone to pregnant guests or birthday guests.

What is the atmosphere like for a family meal?

The interior looked tidy and polished. The restaurant said group dining was available, and after eating there, I felt it would suit family gatherings with older relatives as well.

According to the restaurant’s information, both the seaweed soup and side dishes are cooked in-house. It also said each bowl of seaweed soup is prepared to order.

What side dishes are available, and can you get more?

There was a self-service bar where I could get more side dishes if needed. During my visit, I saw japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), napa cabbage kimchi, gungchae (pickled wild lettuce stems), cheongpomuk (mung bean jelly), yeolmu kimchi, scallop salad, and eggplant tangsuyuk-style fritters, among other dishes.

How much is the flounder seaweed soup set, and what comes with each party size?

We ordered three flounder seaweed soup set meals at ₩19,000 each. The total came to ₩57,000. The listed table setting varied by party size.

• For one person: six basic side dishes and a salad.
• For two people: six basic side dishes and a salad, plus one seasoned flounder and chicken-breast vinegar salad.
• For three or more people: six basic side dishes and a salad, plus two seasoned flounder and chicken-breast vinegar salad.

Once the side dishes were set out, it felt a little like being at a Korean set-menu restaurant. Everything was neatly arranged, and our table for three included two flounder side dishes.

How were the flounder seaweed soup and hijiki rice?

The flounder seaweed soup came in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot), and the rice was hijiki rice. The broth was rich and deeply flavored.

The fish I ate had been deboned. With the hijiki rice and assorted side dishes alongside the seaweed soup, the meal was filling, and I enjoyed every side dish without leaving any untouched.

The seasoned flounder was another side dish I enjoyed. It was the sort of meal that might come to mind when I want a home-style meal with rich seaweed soup.

What are the notices about the earthenware pot and allergies?

The restaurant noted that each earthenware pot is cooked directly over a flame, so soot may appear on its exterior. It warned guests not to touch the pot because of the risk of burns and soot getting on hands or clothing, and stated that it would not provide compensation if a customer touched it through their own carelessness.

Guests with allergies to perilla seed powder or grain powder were asked to notify the restaurant before ordering. It also said separate preparation was not possible for shellfish allergies because of the nature of its seafood soups. The fish I ate had no bones, but the restaurant warned that fish bones or shell fragments may remain after preparation and asked diners to take care while eating.