Three-generation lunch at Songjeongok, a Songjeong Korean restaurant

It had been a while, so my mom, my little daughter, and I — three generations — went on an outing to Songjeong together.

I wanted a relaxed day of seeing the ocean and eating something good, so while looking for a proper Songjeong Korean restaurant with a full spread, I headed to Songjeongok Songjeong Main Branch.

Since it was a meal with my mom and my kid, I wanted somewhere with a varied menu that would be easy for everyone — and to cut to the conclusion, it turned out to be a meal that worked well across generations.

How to get to Songjeongok in Songjeong, and where to park

Songjeongok Songjeong Main Branch is just a one-minute walk from Songjeong Beach, so it's great for a stroll after eating. It's also well placed for stopping by after sightseeing at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, the East Busan outlet mall, or Lotte World Ananti. It's a good way to enjoy a different side of the sea from Songjeong, distinct from Haeundae.

Public transit: from Jangsan Station Exit 7, take bus 185 from the stop right in front, get off at KT Songjeong Tower, then walk 3 minutes.

Before visiting, it's worth double-checking the latest business hours.

There's a parking space in front of the restaurant. Since the lot is small, you can also park along the road out front. It's a free public lot open to everyone except during peak season, so feel free to park. Please move your car promptly after eating. Note that parking isn't allowed if you're heading elsewhere afterward, like the beach or a nearby café.

Inside Songjeongok: a two-story hanok-style dining room

Songjeongok caught my eye from the entrance. The exterior feels like a modern take on a hanok (traditional Korean house), and it suits the neighborhood feel of Songjeong really well.

The space is fairly generous across two floors, and the 2nd floor in particular felt almost like a nice-atmosphere café at first glance.

First floor at Songjeongok

The 1st floor was already fully booked when we arrived. Lots of families seemed to be eating there.

Look closely and you'll spot traditional Korean decor pieces here and there, which really brings out the Korean-restaurant mood of this Songjeong spot.

Second floor at Songjeongok

The 2nd floor feels like a pretty café. Especially the mother-of-pearl lacquer vanity! Taking a photo in front of the mirror gets you a surprisingly stylish shot haha.

Overall it's calm yet upscale — great for a family meal out with your parents, and also a solid choice if you want Korean food while on a Songjeong date.

We cook the rice using obundomi (partially milled) rice, freshly milled that day. It has 16 times more nutrients than white rice and helps prevent various adult diseases and cancer.

What is on the Songjeongok menu, and what does it cost?

The menu is simple — just 3 items.

• Abalone pot rice set — ₩19,000 per person
• Abalone seafood hinoki set — ₩23,000
• Whole octopus parboiled dish — ₩20,000

We ordered the abalone seafood hinoki set ^^

The moment the food was laid out across the table, I let out a genuine "wow~~~~"

It wasn't just a pot rice set — the spread also included hinoki seafood steam, boiled garbisal (pork jowl) slices, various kimchi, tofu, salad, and doenjang (soybean paste), so the whole table felt really abundant.

They also set out peanut sauce and chili sauce for dipping the hinoki steam ingredients.

Abalone pot rice in creamy innards sauce: let it rest first

The abalone pot rice, probably the thing anyone searching for a Songjeong pot rice restaurant is most curious about! When I opened the lid, the pot rice was piled high with abalone, and the visuals alone won me over.

On top of that, there's a savory creamy abalone innards sauce with a subtle buttery aroma, and the portion is really generous. By my standard, one pot rice felt filling enough for two people to share.

When I first dug in right away, the rice felt slightly mushy, probably because of the generous amount of creamy sauce. But when I came back to it after eating other dishes, the steam had escaped and the rice grains had firmed up a bit, and that's when it tasted best to my palate. So if you also dislike mushy rice like me, try letting it sit for a bit before eating rather than diving in right away.

Hinoki-steamed seafood: picking your own bites

The hinoki seafood steam was also really generous. Bean sprouts are spread across the bottom, topped with shrimp, clams, abalone, fish cake, corn, and more.

There's a fun little game of picking through the steam to decide what to eat next haha.

Eating the bean sprouts together with the seafood felt light yet satisfying. If you want to try a bit of everything, this Songjeong Korean restaurant set delivers a pretty high satisfaction rate.

Melt-in-your-mouth garbisal bossam and the side dishes

The boiled pork (bossam) was so tender it just melted apart in your mouth!

It's savory on its own, but pairing it with the spicy-tangy squid salad and shredded radish kimchi added a tart, crunchy contrast — it felt like eating proper bossam.

There was a good variety of kimchi too, including baek kimchi (white kimchi) and pa kimchi (green onion kimchi), and pairing them with the savory tofu was a great combo.

The doenjang (soybean paste) tasted less like a typical stew base and more like a slightly spicy gochujang-style thick paste,

and the salad with yuzu syrup was refreshing, great for resetting your palate between bites.

The soy-marinated crab was fresh too~ The portion was bigger than I expected, so we ate until we were full.

Is Songjeongok a good choice with kids and parents along?

With baby chairs on hand, it seemed like it would work fine for a family meal. The atmosphere is upscale and the space is generous, so it seems like a solid pick for family dinners, meals with parents, or a proper meal after a Songjeong date.

• Savory creamy abalone innards sauce pot rice piled high with abalone
• Hinoki seafood steam with shrimp, clams, abalone, and the fun of picking your own bites
• Tender garbisal bossam with a varied, neat spread of side dishes
• Songjeongok's hanok charm and stylish interior made for a great atmosphere