Ilsan Korean restaurant for birthday dinners with free abalone: Haenon

[Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch]

"Haenon Miyeok" — the best spot for a birthday meal out with friends or family

This place really stands out even in Aeni-gol! I went to Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch, where you can properly enjoy the original Busan-style nourishing seaweed soup set meal.

Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch: location, hours and reservations

• 30 Aeni-gol-gil, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, basement and 1st floor
• Open daily
• 11 AM–9 PM
• Break time 3 PM–5 PM
• No break time on weekends
• Reservations available from 2 people
• If you're having a birthday within 7 days, call ahead and get a free birthday cake (not on the day itself)

Parking and interior at Haenon Miyeok in Aeni-gol

Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch has spacious, comfortable parking, okay! Even driving all the way to Aeni-gol, there was nothing to worry about.

Walking into the restaurant felt like stepping into a museum — dreamy yet upscale interior!!! Whoa! It catches your eye the moment you walk in.

The atmosphere of the whole space made the meal feel more like being treated to something special, and the tables themselves were spaced out generously so you could eat comfortably.

What we ordered: scallop seaweed soup and spicy pork stir-fry sets

I ordered the scallop miyeokguk (seaweed soup) set and the Haenon pork stir-fry set.

• Scallop seaweed soup set: ₩19,000
• Pork stir-fry set (500g): ₩26,000
• Total: ₩45,000

Ordering tips at Haenon Miyeok

The seaweed soup set comes with a really generous amount of broth and fillings, so unless everyone in your group is determined to eat a lot of miyeokguk, order one soup set and one other set like the pork stir-fry, and share — it's amazing!

How do the scallop seaweed soup and pork stir-fry taste?

The scallop miyeokguk had a deep, rich flavor with the distinct taste of scallop coming through beautifully — excellent.

The portion was generous too, and it felt like eating a proper nourishing meal.

What impressed me even more was the pork stir-fry!!

Usually when you order pork stir-fry at places like this, the meat portion is disappointingly small ㅠㅠ But Haenon Miyeok gives you a generous 500g, plenty for two people to share and feel full.

The meat wasn't thin — it was cut into thick pieces, so it had a satisfying chew, and the seasoning was well soaked in with great flavor.

Side dishes that come with the seaweed soup set

The quality of the basic side dishes was just as good as the main dishes.

A fresh, appetizing vegetable salad came out, along with kimchi, fried wood ear mushroom, chicken breast salad, seasoned cockles,

stir-fried zucchini, seasoned seaweed, and even savory japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) — the whole wide table was completely full.

Even the kimchi was so delicious ㅠㅠ

The seasoned fried flounder in particular had a sweet flavor like sweet-glazed chicken sauce, so it's a side dish kids would really enjoy.

The self-serve side dish refill bar

If you run out of any side dish, you're free to refill it yourself at the self-serve bar inside the restaurant.

The fun part is that braised tofu and shishito peppers, which weren't in the basic setting, were separately available at the self-serve bar.

I was already full, so I just grabbed one piece of braised tofu to taste, and the seasoning was well soaked in with a deep flavor.

Birthday and pregnancy perks at Haenon Miyeok Ilsan

• A heartwarming event is running where pregnant customers or birthday guests get a free abalone!
• Book for 2 or more in advance, and if you're having a birthday within 7 days, call ahead to receive a free birthday cake (not on the day itself)

If everyone orders one menu item each, rice refills are unlimited, so you can eat as much as you need.

What to know before ordering at Haenon Miyeok

• The seaweed soup is cooked directly over open flame in a stone pot, so be careful not to let your hands or clothes touch it
• If you have allergies to perilla seed powder or grain powders, let staff know before ordering
• Bones or shells are carefully removed, but they can occasionally show up, so be careful while eating
• One menu item per person required from age 8 (elementary school age) and up
• Free unlimited rice refills if you order one menu item per person
• Children age 7 and under, or anyone not ordering a menu item, can add rice for ₩2,000 (refillable after that)
• Leftovers can only be packed to go for the soup
• Takeout container costs ₩1,000; you can bring your own container

Haenon Miyeok menu and prices

Here's the Haenon Miyeok menu and price list for reference.