Seohae seafood restaurant: spicy monkfish at Haemul Teukbyeolsi

When I’m craving something spicy, I start thinking about agujjim (braised monkfish). This time, I went to Haemul Teukbyeolsi Cheongna Direct Branch (해물특별시 청라직영점) in Cheongna! I visited while looking for agujjim in Cheongna, and I was so pleased because everything, from the mains to the side dishes, was much better than I expected.

Warm wood tones and private rooms

Inside, the warm wood tones create a clean yet cozy atmosphere. The tables are fairly well spaced too, so I could eat at leisure without worrying about the table next to me.

Best of all, there are separate rooms! It looked like a good option not only for family meals but also for groups looking for a place to get together. Definitely one to note if you’re looking for a private-room restaurant in Cheongna. Air conditioning is essential in summer, of course, and I was relieved to see that the private rooms were well equipped with it.

Sides I kept reaching for before the main arrived

The banchan (Korean side dishes) here are really well done. It wasn’t just that there were lots of them—each one was neat and tasty, so I kept reaching for them even before the main dish arrived.

My favorite in particular was the corn cheese! When you’re eating spicy dishes such as Cheongna haemuljjim (spicy braised seafood) or agujjim, you naturally start wanting something mild in between, and the rich corn cheese was such a great match. It isn’t spicy, so I think kids would like it too.

The mussel soup that came with it didn’t feel like an afterthought, either. The mussels were plump, and the broth was both refreshing and deep, making it perfect to alternate with the spicy agujjim. They even added scallops, so visually, it gets a pass too!! I loved it.

Flat dumplings also come as a basic side, and they’re a little delicacy in their own right. They’re tasty on their own, but they’re the best when you wrap them around some agujjim! It was a combination I’d never tried before, but it was pretty good.

It was nice that I could comfortably pick up any extra side dishes I needed at the self-service bar. They also provided instant mix coffee, which was a much tastier way to finish the meal than mediocre vending-machine coffee.

A tabletop-griddle agujjim set at Shin Ramyun heat

We ordered the small tabletop-griddle agujjim set along with a half plate of handmade fried monkfish, choosing the Shin Ramyun spice level.

First off, the generous presentation on the griddle got a pass! There was more monkfish than I expected, plus just the right amount of gon-i (fish milt), so it was fun choosing what to eat. See those big chunks of fish? It was full of eating pleasure and satisfying texture.

Above all, I loved how plump and tender the monkfish was. The fish soaked up plenty of seasoning, then the crisp bean sprouts and fragrant minari (water celery) came together, making me keep going back for more. It’s the kind of flavor I’d think of when I really wanted a proper Cheongna agujjim. The sauce wasn’t just aggressively hot—it had savory depth too, so I think people who enjoy Cheongna haemuljjim would be satisfied as well.

Handmade fried monkfish worth adding

And something I definitely want to recommend ordering alongside it: the handmade fried monkfish! A half plate comes with five pieces, and rather than being the kind with only a thick coating, each one is packed with plump monkfish. Crisp outside and rich and moist inside, it was so good dipped into chili sauce.

Overall, Haemul Teukbyeolsi was satisfying for its generous food and great selection of sides. I’d recommend it not only to anyone looking for haemuljjim in Cheongna, but also to those looking for a family meal or a private-room restaurant in Cheongna. I’d like to return next time I’m craving Cheongna agujjim.