Kid-friendly abalone seafood hot pot in Daebudo, Ansan: Haemokjeong

We went back to Daebudo again last weekend :) We stopped by Banghameori Beach for some sand play, and for once got to see the blue sea too! After playing hard, we hopped in the car and rushed off to Haemokjeong Daebudo Branch for lunch.

If you're looking for a good seafood stew spot in Daebudo, Haemokjeong Daebudo Branch is worth considering — it's a known chain for enjoying seafood and ribs together. We visited with our kid and mainly filled up on the seafood hot pot, and each piece of seafood tasted so alive that it was a really satisfying meal. Today I'll leave a detailed, generous review of what we actually ate 😊💓💫💜

What kind of place is Haemokjeong Daebudo Branch?

• 📍97 Sangdong-ro, 1st floor, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• 🚘Parking available
• ⏰Closed every Monday
• ⏰Tue–Sun 11:00–22:00

Haemokjeong is a well-known chain for its menu combining seafood and ribs in various ways — seafood-rib stew, seafood stew, seafood hot pot, and more. We ordered the abalone seafood hot pot to suit our kid, choosing a mild clear broth and leaving out the cheongyang chili that adds spice. We also ordered fried squid and handmade jumbo pork cutlet! Next time without the kids, I really want to try the seafood-rib stew ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

The place was newly opened too, so it was very clean and tidy!

Side dishes and the self-serve bar — a neat start

As soon as we sat down, a variety of side dishes came out first — angel hair jelly noodle salad, seasoned chives, white kimchi, pickled chili peppers, and braised potatoes. It was convenient that we could grab more from the self-serve bar if anything ran low.

Fried squid & handmade jumbo pork cutlet — the fun while we waited

While the hot pot was simmering, the fried squid and handmade pork cutlet we'd also ordered arrived first.

The batter had a crisp, crumbly texture while the inside stayed moist — perfect as an appetizer!

The handmade jumbo pork cutlet was also a dish our kid could eat without any trouble! The meat was tender, so it went down really well. The sauce came on the side :)

Abalone seafood hot pot — overwhelming from the visual alone

The anticipation built while we waited, and finally the abalone seafood hot pot arrived. The mushroom on top had 'Haemokjeong' stamped clearly on it, which made it feel even more special right from the visual.

Looking inside the pot, it was packed with just about everything — squid, octopus, fish, mushrooms, water dropwort, bean sprouts, abalone, blue crab, roe, milt, and radish. Seeing such a generous spread made even the wait for it to boil feel exciting 💜

Seafood cooking through — timing is everything

Staff cut the squid and octopus for us first!

Squid and octopus tend to get chewy if boiled too long, so we didn't miss the moment they were just right and pulled them out first. Eating them while the springy, chewy texture was still alive made them so much tastier. Dipped in chojang (vinegar-chili sauce) they were sweet and tangy; dipped in wasabi soy sauce they were sharp and clean — each had its own charm.

As the blue crab, roe, and milt cooked, their juices slowly seeped into the broth, and with each bite a sweet, deep umami burst out.

The distinctive thick, savory flavor of the roe and milt seemed to add depth to the broth as a whole.

The fish was cooked just enough to hold together without falling apart, giving a texture that was both soft and chewy at once! Once the abalone was fully cooked, a staff member trimmed it with scissors for us, so we could enjoy it in easy bite-sized pieces without any effort. Chewy yet springy, it left a subtle ocean fragrance with every bite.

Finishing with a bowl of rice — the broth was perfect to the last drop

At the end, we ordered extra rice and stirred it into the clear jiri broth. The deep umami drawn out from the seafood blended with the refreshing broth from the vegetables, and every spoonful had layers of richness and cleanness at once. Because the jiri base wasn't spicy or heavy, the natural sweetness and umami of the seafood actually came through more clearly, and once the rice was mixed in, the broth's deep flavor soaked into every grain, leaving a hearty, lingering finish.

The broth is seriously... amazing

Final verdict — go with the clear jiri broth if you're bringing kids

After this visit, I understood why this place keeps coming up as a top seafood stew spot in Daebudo. The freshness of each piece of seafood, the way the texture changed depending on cook time, and being able to enjoy every last drop of the broth to the end — it all left an impression. I'd recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy seafood with their kid without it being too spicy or heavy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it good to eat with kids?

Yes — if you order the clear jiri broth without the cheongyang chili, it's mild enough for kids to eat comfortably.

What ingredients go into the seafood hot pot?

It's generously packed with squid, octopus, fish, mushrooms, water dropwort, bean sprouts, abalone, blue crab, roe, milt, radish, and more.

How long should you boil the squid or octopus?

They get chewy easily if boiled too long, so it's best to pull them out as soon as they're just cooked through.

How do you fully enjoy the broth?

Order extra rice and mix it into the clear jiri broth to enjoy the rich flavor where the deep seafood taste meets the vegetable stock.