# Balsan Korean restaurant with Pororo kids' tableware: Mikodam - By Nari Woo (https://superchart.com/en/@jangchung-warm-kettle/) - Written Sep 21, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangseo, Seoul - Sponsored: This is a visit review written after receiving a meal provided by the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@jangchung-warm-kettle/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@jangchung-warm-kettle/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/index.md) ## In short Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch is a Korean set-menu restaurant a 3-minute walk from Exit 4 of Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. On a weekend lunch, two adults and their children ordered the 3-person set and shared Norwegian grilled mackerel, cockle bibim in two sauces (seasoned soy sauce and vinegared), beef jeon (pan-fried beef in egg batter) and stone-pot beef seaweed soup, and the staff brought out Pororo kids' tableware first. Portions at Mikodam were generous enough that the 2-person set would have been plenty, making it an easy pick for a family meal with young children. ## Good to know - **Hours**: 11:00 – 22:00 - **Parking**: 3 hours at Dmaru private parking lot (show parking ticket or payment receipt) - **Location**: 3-minute walk from Exit 4, Balsan Station - **Reservation terms**: Naver Place booking for 4 or more; private room for 6 or more adults - **What we ordered**: 3-person set (grilled mackerel, 2 kinds of cockle bibim, beef jeon, beef seaweed soup) - **Ongoing event**: Show ID or bring a cake within a week of your birthday; free large beef jeon for orders of 4 or more - **Chuseok holiday**: Open as usual, no closing days *as written by the visitor on Sep 21, 2026* We stopped by Baby House Magok branch on the weekend to check out a kickboard for our second kid, and lunchtime rolled around, so we went looking for a nearby restaurant. For a meal out with young kids, Korean food beats anything spicy or heavy. The location was close, and it served both seaweed soup and grilled fish, so we headed to Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch, a Korean restaurant near Balsan Station. ## Where is Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch, and where do you park? Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch is about a 3-minute walk from Exit 4 of Balsan Station on Line 5, making it an easy Korean restaurant to reach by public transit near Balsan Station. Hours are 11:00–22:00. > 🕚 Hours: 11:00 – 22:00 / 🅿️ Parking: Dmaru private parking lot (3 hours) / 📍 Location: 3-minute walk from Exit 4, Balsan Station If you're driving, you can use the Dmaru private parking lot right next to the restaurant. ![Entrance to Dmaru private parking lot next to Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-01-102m9-900.webp) Walking from the parking lot to the building, there's a banner pointing the way to Mikodam. ## Hall seating and private room reservation terms at Mikodam Naver Place bookings are available for parties of 4 or more, ![Hall seating area at Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-02-1ilsb-900.webp) *Hall seating* and room reservations are available for 6 or more adults. ![Interior of the room seating at Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-03-wok4x-900.webp) *Room seating* They also said the restaurant will be open with no closures during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, worth noting if you're planning a family gathering. ## Ordering by tablet: how to choose a set menu ![Ordering tablet installed at the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-04-1aotd-900.webp) You order by checking the menu on the tablet installed at each table. ![Notice on the table explaining how to order the set menu](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-05-9z45y-900.webp) Instructions for ordering the set menu are laid out in detail on a notice sitting on the table. We ordered the 3-person set. ## Pororo kids' tableware and the basic side-dish spread ![Pororo kids' tableware and small utensils for children](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-06-u1g6y-900.webp) Right after we ordered, the staff brought out cute Pororo kids' tableware along with small spoons and forks for the children first — as a parent, that was really appreciated. ![Individually wrapped adult utensils in paper packaging](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-07-4a6zy-900.webp) The adults' cutlery also came neatly wrapped in individual hygienic paper packets. This was a Korean restaurant near Balsan Station that paid attention to every small detail. ![Table spread of basic side dishes including japchae and stir-fried pork](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-08-mk0ht-900.webp) Next came a generous spread of basic side dishes: japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), stir-fried pork, jellyfish salad, dressed chicory, three kinds of namul (seasoned vegetables), kimchi, pickled onion, and roasted seaweed. ![Well-seasoned japchae side dish](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-09-1xta5-900.webp) The japchae was seasoned just right, and the kids ate it happily. ![Stir-fried pork side dish topped with shredded scallions](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-10-1f2t4-900.webp) The stir-fried pork came topped with shredded scallions, which made it even tastier. ![Three kinds of crisp namul side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-11-iwpgi-900.webp) The namul had a lively, crisp texture, good for snacking between bites. The roasted seaweed with soy sauce was tasty too. ## What comes with the 3-person set: Norwegian grilled mackerel ![3-person set spread with grilled mackerel and cockle bibim](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-12-yjsyh-1200.webp) Then all the dishes from the 3-person set came out onto the table at once — a big grilled mackerel, two bowls of cockle bibim, golden beef jeon, and a stone-pot seaweed soup. The portions were so much we wondered if we could finish it all. My husband and I traded looks, thinking the 2-person set alone would have been enough. We started with the Norwegian mackerel flesh — the size alone was impressive, and it was crisp outside with savory, fishy-smell-free flesh inside. There was plenty of meat for both adults and kids to share. ## Soy-sauce vs. vinegared cockle bibim: what's the difference? The dish we were most looking forward to was the cockle bibim. We ordered it in both the soy-sauce style and the vinegar-sauce style. ![Soy-sauce seasoned cockle bibim loaded with chives](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-13-2kx0o-900.webp) The soy-sauce cockle bibim had us worried it might be too salty, but it was loaded with fresh chives, and even eaten without mixing into rice, the cockles alone weren't salty at all — just right. ![Vibrant red vinegar-sauce seasoned cockle bibim](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-14-7l5oz-900.webp) The vibrant red vinegar-sauce cockles were spicy with a pleasant tang that woke up the appetite from the first bite. The crunchy cabbage and onion mixed with the chewy cockles for a varied texture. Personally, I kept reaching for the vinegar version more. ## Beef jeon and stone-pot beef seaweed soup ![Thinly pan-fried beef jeon](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-15-fy41s-900.webp) The beef jeon we picked as a side came out thin and golden, pan-fried, tender rather than chewy. Topped with fragrant seasoned chives and onion, it cut through the richness nicely. ![Beef seaweed soup served in a stone pot](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-16-vsvz8-900.webp) The beef seaweed soup came in a stone pot with a generous portion for a single serving. It had plenty of thinly sliced beef, so it was perfect for feeding the kids over rice without needing to cut it up with scissors. It was a truly generous Korean set-menu spread near Balsan Station for two adults and kids to share. ## Self-serve dessert corner: plum tea, sikhye and rice-cooker popped corn ![Self-serve dessert corner with plum tea and sikhye](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-17-1xxx7-900.webp) After eating our fill, we checked out the dessert corner set up in one corner of the restaurant. There was cool plum tea, sikhye (sweet rice punch), and a mix-coffee machine so you could pick something to your taste. ![Rice cooker next to drinks at the dessert corner](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-18-16mbs-900.webp) Next to the drinks was popped corn kept in a rice cooker to stay warm. ![Popped corn kept warm in a rice cooker](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-19-1fez7-900.webp) It wasn't soggy at all and had a gentle sweetness, so the kids scooped it into little cups and happily munched on it. ## Parking stamp and the birthday beef jeon service ![Sign at the register about parking discount and birthday event](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware-20-oza35-900.webp) At checkout, showing your parking ticket gets you a free 3-hour parking stamp — and even without a ticket, you can get one stamped on your payment receipt. There's also an ongoing event: visit within a week before or after your birthday with ID or a cake, order for 4 or more, and get a free large-size beef jeon. Worth a visit for a birthday gathering. ## Final verdict on Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch - Amenities and service: close to Exit 4 of Balsan Station with 3 hours of parking support, a family-friendly restaurant good for family gatherings or visits with young children. - Menu and taste: the mild soy-sauce cockles and the spicy-tangy vinegar cockles are both well made, along with quality, neatly prepared side dishes. 👍 ## Where it is - Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch (미꼬담 마곡발산점) - 1F, Unit 2, 42 Gangseo-ro 54-gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 강서구 강서로54길 42 1층 2호 - 37.5588429, 126.8413261 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%AF%B8%EA%BC%AC%EB%8B%B4%20%EB%A7%88%EA%B3%A1%EB%B0%9C%EC%82%B0%EC%A0%90/@37.5588429,126.8413261,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@jangchung-warm-kettle/balsan-station-korean-set-kids-tableware/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt