Myeongji, Busan seafood jjim and flying fish roe fried rice: Haemullae

When you're craving seafood in Myeongji, Gangseo-gu, Busan, it can be hard to decide where to go. This time I wanted a properly good seafood jjim (spicy steamed seafood), so I visited the Myeongji branch of Haemullae (해물래).

I already love seafood jjim, and fresh seafood and good sauce matter most to me. This visit beat my expectations. The portion was generous and packed with different kinds of seafood, so I thought it would work well for a family meal, a get-together with friends or a company dinner.

Location and parking

Haemullae is on the 1st floor at 56-2 Myeongji gukje 1-ro, Gangseo-gu, Busan. It isn't hard to find in Myeongji, and parking was easy.

The yellow sign makes it easy to spot from a distance, and the entrance was kept neat and clean. I arrived a little before mealtime, but customers kept coming in, so it seems already well known locally.

Atmosphere and seating: is it good for a group dinner?

The inside of the Myeongji branch was clean overall, with seating from tables for four to areas where larger groups can sit together. The tables were spaced widely so it never felt cramped, and the air conditioning was nice and cold, so it was comfortable even in summer.

It looked good not just for family meals but also for anyone searching for seafood for a group dinner in Myeongji. The staff were friendly, showing us to our seats and explaining the menu, which made a good first impression.

Menu and spice level

The menu included seafood jjim, agu-jjim (monkfish jjim), seafood tang (spicy seafood stew) and more. You can adjust the spice level, so even people who don't handle spicy food well can order without worry.

The side menu was varied too, and they told us the fried rice is almost a must-order. We ordered it without a second thought.

Banchan and table setting

After we ordered, the banchan (side dishes) came out first. Small plates, sauces and basic sides were neatly laid out, and when we ran short of a side dish, the staff brought more right away when asked.

Tongs and scissors for eating seafood jjim were already set out, which was handy. It's a small thing, but being prepared like this makes the meal so much easier.

The seafood jjim: portion and flavor

I tried the shrimp first. It had a lovely springy bite, and the sauce wasn't too spicy, so the natural flavor of the seafood came through. The bean sprouts were crunchy too, and eaten with the sauce I kept reaching for more.

The sauce had a strong savory depth that went well with rice, and I barely noticed any fishy taste. The more I ate, the more different kinds of seafood kept turning up, so the portion felt quite large. After a short wait, today's main dish, the seafood jjim, arrived.

My first thought on seeing it was that there was really a lot. The bean sprouts were piled up like a mountain, and underneath were shrimp, squid and all kinds of other seafood. Just looking at it woke up my appetite. The color of the sauce looked delicious, and the smell alone made my mouth water.

I tried the shrimp first, and the springy texture was spot on. Above all, there was almost no fishy taste, so I could tell right away that it was fresh. The bean sprouts were crunchy and went really well with the sauce.

How spicy is the sauce?

With seafood jjim, the sauce is what counts, and Haemullae's wasn't just spicy. It had a strong savory depth with a moderate kick, and not so much that it spoiled the taste of the seafood.

Eaten with the bean sprouts, my chopsticks just kept going, and I wanted to mix rice right into it. Partway through I understood why everyone says you must have the fried rice.

Finishing with seaweed and flying fish roe fried rice

After eating a good part of the seafood jjim, we ordered the fried rice. They add rice to the leftover sauce and stir-fry it with seaweed flakes and flying fish roe, which was fun to watch.

They pressed it down onto the bottom of the pan as they fried it, so some parts turned crispy like nurungji (scorched rice). The nutty flavor blended well with the spicy sauce, and I enjoyed it right to the last bite. Honestly, I'd want to come back just for the fried rice.

Summing up

Haemullae was satisfying in every way: fresh seafood, a generous portion and friendly service. With so many kinds of seafood in one dish, it's great for sharing among several people, and thanks to the clean interior I'd recommend it for family meals, and for anyone looking for a Korean restaurant, a seafood jjim spot or a group dinner in Myeongji.

Being able to finish with the fried rice made the meal even more satisfying. If you want a hearty seafood meal in Myeongji, I recommend giving it a visit.