Cheongna kalguksu restaurant lunch set after a Simgok Stream run

Why Haemul Teukbyeolsi Cheongna Direct Branch for lunch after a Simgok Stream run

I went for a run along Simgok Stream near Cheongna Lake Park, and then had to figure out what to eat for lunch. After running, greasy food just doesn't sit right — something clean and refreshing hits so much better. So I headed to a restaurant known for cooling, refreshing broth to soothe my stomach. It's a Cheongna favorite famous for seafood kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup) and monkfish stew — Haemul Teukbyeolsi Cheongna Direct Branch.

Where Haemul Teukbyeolsi is in Cheongna, and where to park

Haemul Teukbyeolsi Cheongna Direct Branch sits near Cheongna Lake Park, with Simgok Stream right behind it — a great stop after a run. You can park at the nearby public lot or in front of the restaurant, though the spots there are a bit tight, so if it's full you'll need to use the public lot.

Haemul Teukbyeolsi is known throughout Cheongna for its seafood spreads — famous especially for agu-jjim (spicy braised monkfish) and haemul-jjim (spicy braised seafood).

Inside the restaurant and what the self-bar holds

The interior has a clean feel and spacious seating, so it never feels crowded even with a lot of customers. There's even a room set aside for group parties — a great place to bring family or friends for a relaxed meal.

This is the basic table setting — wasabi, soy sauce, and chogochujang (vinegared chili paste) are set out at every table.

On one side there's a self-bar where you can help yourself to more of the basic side dishes. If you'd like coffee after your meal, Maxim coffee mix is available there too.

What comes with the 16,000 won lunch special seafood kalguksu set

Scanning the menu, plenty of dishes caught my eye. Haemul Teukbyeolsi is famous for its monkfish stew, but since this was a post-workout lunch, I went for something lighter. After some thought, I settled on the lunch special seafood hand-cut noodle set. At ₩16,000 per person, it comes with monkfish stew plus noodles loaded with seafood — a really solid combo.

The basic side dishes are pickles, pickled onion, kimchi, and baek-kimchi (white kimchi). If you want more, you can grab extra at the self-bar.

How much seafood is in the pot, and the 5-minute noodle timer

After a short wait, my set was laid out neatly on the table. Looking at the bowl piled high with seafood, I could tell right away the ingredients were fresh. Peeling the shellfish out of the noodle soup one by one, the meat inside was plump and springy — it looked delicious.

I was also stunned by just how much seafood kept coming. Look at the photo of the shell pile — you'll get a sense of exactly how much was packed in!

You're supposed to let the noodles sit in the broth for about 5 minutes before eating. They even give you a 5-minute timer, so there's no worrying about missing the mark.

How the broth and the hand-cut noodles taste

After stirring well for 5 to 10 minutes to cook the noodles through, you eat them with the seafood. I tried the broth first with a spoon, and the flavor was clean and refreshing without a heavy seasoning taste. The noodles had real chewiness too, so my chopsticks kept going back for more. The portion was much bigger than I expected — I wondered if I could finish it all, but somehow the deliciousness made room appear.

Boneless monkfish stew at Shin Ramyun spice level

The monkfish stew was boneless, so it was easy to eat. I ordered it at Shin Ramyun spice level, which landed at just the right degree of spicy-hot heat to go well with the kalguksu.

Plump, tender monkfish meat, crunchy bean sprouts, and plenty of sea squirt and monkfish roe — if you're a seafood lover, you have to order the monkfish stew at Haemul Teukbyeolsi. You can also mix in fried rice with the leftover stew afterward! I was too full to get to the fried rice myself.

Is Haemul Teukbyeolsi worth it as a post-run meal?

Filling up on cool, tangy kalguksu and spicy monkfish stew after my run left me feeling like the day was well spent. Walking out, I naturally started thinking about bringing my parents next time. If you're after fresh, generous seafood kalguksu and monkfish stew in a clean space, give Haemul Teukbyeolsi in Cheongna a visit.