Haeundae clam steamer with udon and grilled hagfish: Hyejane San

I had san gomjangeo (live hagfish) and clam hot pot at Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch in the alleys off Gunam-ro in Haeundae, Busan. It's a local favorite known for its spicy-refreshing clam hot pot broth and fresh hagfish.

I think Busan's charm lies in that gorgeous stretch of sea paired with delicious food that always gets us excited. Haeundae especially is a food pilgrimage site for tourists and locals alike. Here's my vivid review of filling up on fresh seafood and getting refreshed to the core with a hot, savory broth!

What Hyejane San Gomjangeo feels like: a local spot down a Haeundae alley

Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch has a cozy, welcoming exterior tucked deep in a Haeundae alley. The tank right by the entrance was full of fresh hagfish and clams brought in daily, so you could see the freshness with your own eyes first.

When people visit Haeundae, they tend to picture flashy ocean-view restaurants or big sashimi houses, but the real food connoisseurs know to seek out the old-school spots and cozy restaurants hidden deep in the alleys. The moment I saw that spotlessly kept tank, my expectations for the food shot right up.

The basic side dishes came out neat and tidy, too.

How does the san gomjangeo taste? Texture of the iron-plate seasoned hagfish

The san gomjangeo at Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch is prepped from live hagfish right on the spot, so there's no question about freshness. With 'san gomjangeo' right there in the name, this other signature dish is impossible to skip.

Nutty, chewy texture: the seasoned hagfish comes out sizzling on a hot plate with a spicy sauce, and it has no trace of that distinctive fishy smell — just a nutty flavor that gets better the more you chew.

How refreshing is the steamed clam broth at Hyejane San Gomjangeo?

The dish that impressed me most on this visit was the clam hot pot at Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch. It catches your eye right away with how generously the seafood is piled in.

• Generous portions: plump, fresh scallops, clams, and pen shells overflow the pot.
• Deep, refreshing broth: thanks to the natural stock drawn out of the clams, the broth is remarkably clear yet spicy and refreshing. The moment you take a spoonful, you can't help but let out a satisfied sigh.
• Tender texture: seafood tends to turn tough if overcooked even slightly, but this was cooked at just the right timing, so I got to fully enjoy its tender, chewy texture.

It's the perfect side dish for a drink, and just as good as a hangover cure that melts away the fatigue of traveling.

Plump, right? Haha, and chewy too.

We added udon noodles and it was so good!

Visit tips and final verdict on Hyejane San Gomjangeo

Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch is in Haeundae-gu, Busan, in a location that's easy to reach by public transit or on foot. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants truly fresh seafood and a hot, refreshing broth in Haeundae, or who wants to enjoy a drink in a local, unpretentious atmosphere.

Among all the flashy tourist-area restaurants, Hyejane San Gomjangeo Main Branch is where I actually felt Busan's real flavor and hospitality. This weekend, why not make some delicious memories with your loved ones over a refreshing clam hot pot and fresh san gomjangeo?