Goyang Japanese restaurant lunch at Min Cook Misoyaki

Fresh Salmon Rice Bowl & Doenjang-Grilled Mackerel with My Daughter

It had been a while since my daughter and I had lunch together near Hwajeong Station. As we wondered what to eat, I thought of a Japanese-style meal that would make for a neat, satisfying lunch, so we headed to Min Cook Misoyaki (민쿡 미소야끼). It is close to Hwajeong Station and easy to reach, and it seemed like a good spot for eating alone or having lunch with a friend—so this time, I visited with my daughter.

Easy to Reach from Hwajeong Station

It is on the first floor of the building in front of the E-Mart rear parking lot, within easy walking distance of Hwajeong Station, so it is convenient to visit by public transport too. It is in a nice location when you are looking for somewhere to eat at Hwajeong Station or want a neat lunch nearby.

It is closed every Sunday and open from 11:00 to 21:00. Break time is 15:00–16:00, with last orders at 14:30 and 20:30. There is public street parking and transfer parking nearby, and it could be nice to park at a large nearby supermarket, shop for groceries or browse around, then come here for a meal.

Warm Wood Tones and Comfortable Seating

As soon as I stepped inside, the warm wood-toned atmosphere caught my eye. It was neat yet had the cozy feel unique to a Japanese-style restaurant, making it a comfortable setting for lunch. There was a long table by the windows, as well as seats for two and groups, so it looked easy to visit for anything from a solo meal to a family meal.

There is also a bar table where solo diners can eat comfortably—so much so that it could be called a haven for people dining alone.

We sat by the window. With its large wooden-framed window, it is a spot where you can enjoy your meal while looking outside. The warm wood-toned table and lighting made the whole place feel somehow calming. It was perfect for a leisurely lunch as my daughter and I sat across from each other, chatting away.

Ordering and the Basic Table Setting

You can order through the QR code set out at the table. If that is difficult to use, you can ask a staff member to take your order directly.

First, the warm juk (rice porridge) served as a starter warmed up our stomachs.

The basic side dishes were danmuji (pickled yellow radish) and shredded aged kimchi, which were great for cleansing the palate between bites.

The Fresh Salmon Rice Bowl My Daughter Loved

After a short wait, our fresh salmon rice bowl arrived. A generous amount of appetizing fresh salmon sat over rice in a large bowl, and the look of it alone really got our appetites going. Around the orange-hued salmon were microgreens, onion, flying fish roe, seaweed, sesame seeds, and egg in a colorful arrangement, so it felt quite substantial for a one-bowl meal. My daughter loves salmon, which is why we ordered it, and as soon as we saw it, I thought we had made the right choice.

Now it was time to dig in! Once we mixed the salmon and rice evenly with the vegetables, seaweed, and flying fish roe, it looked even more appetizing. A generous spoonful brought together tender salmon, crisp vegetables, and little popping bites of roe, making the texture fun too. Thanks to the salmon’s mild, tender flavor, my daughter happily enjoyed the whole bowl. The fresh salmon rice bowl is a good lunch choice near Hwajeong Station!

Doenjang-Grilled Mackerel That Paired Beautifully with Rice

And the dish I ordered was doenjang-grilled mackerel. The large, nicely browned piece of mackerel arrived looking like it was made for a whole bowl of rice. I also liked that it came as a neat set with rice, soup, and salad. The mackerel’s surface was especially golden and glistening~✨ A dish sure to catch the eye of anyone who loves grilled fish.

Up close, that beautifully browned mackerel surface looks even more appetizing, right? The outside was crisp while the flesh inside stayed moist, making it easy to separate with chopsticks. The mackerel’s naturally nutty flavor was joined by the salty, savory depth of the doenjang (fermented soybean paste) seasoning, making it just right with rice.

I picked off a piece of mackerel coated with lemon juice and took a bite. A little lemon cut through the richness and added a fresh note, while a small dab of wasabi gave it another clean, refreshing flavor.

I placed a big piece of mackerel over hot rice, added a little lemon, and took a bite. The moist, mild mackerel flesh, along with its golden grilled flavor, went incredibly well with the rice.

This is why grilled fish is such a rice thief!

Even without any special side dishes, one piece of mackerel made a spoonful of rice go down so easily. It was a relaxed lunch with my daughter, something we had not had in a while. At Min Cook Misoyaki near Hwajeong Station, we tried the fresh salmon rice bowl and doenjang-grilled mackerel when we wanted a neat meal. Chatting with my daughter and eating good food in the comfortable, warm wood-toned space made it a small but truly lovely lunchtime.