Abalone loach soup and wood-fired mackerel: Siheung's Seolak Chueotang

Have you ever walked the path around Mulwang Reservoir, where the sunlight sparkles on calm water like scattered jewels and a soft breeze tickles your cheeks?

On days when Mulwang Reservoir's blue surface catches the sun and a light breeze tickles your heart, you just want to grab the hand of someone you love and head out for the day. Wander the cozy path around the lake for a while and your mood softens, and before long a pleasant hunger sets in. How lovely would it be to meet a warm, comforting meal right at that moment? Near Mulwang Reservoir in Siheung sits 'Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang Hwadeok Saenggeongui,' a lovely spot that melts visitors' hearts with deep, savory nourishment and the warmth of a meal made with care.

Where is Seolak Chueotang in Mokgam-dong, and when does it open?

The Mulwang Reservoir main branch of Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang Hwadeok Saenggeongui is at 40 Dongseo-ro 857beon-gil, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do (171-8 Mulwang-dong). It opens at 10 AM.

• A warm gift that comes with the mood of Mulwang Reservoir, a Mokgam restaurant
• Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang Hwadeok Saenggeongui, Mulwang Reservoir
• 40 Dongseo-ro 857beon-gil, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do / 171-8 Mulwang-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opens at 10 AM!

Mulwang Reservoir carries its own gentle colors and coziness in every season, so it warms the heart no matter when you visit. Stroll the pretty path around the lake while chatting, and the fatigue of everyday life just melts away, leaving a small, quiet happiness in its place.

After soaking up the lake's warm energy, your feet naturally lead you to Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang Hwadeok Saenggeongui. Just approaching the restaurant, you catch the smell of savory rice and fish sizzling golden in the wood-fired oven, and before you know it you're smiling and thinking, 'Wow, that smells amazing!'

Step inside and a cozy, neatly kept interior greets you warmly. From the moment you sit waiting for a carefully prepared Korean spread, your heart starts to flutter with anticipation. It's a lovely spot for a sweet date with a partner, a meal treating your parents, or a family outing with the kids.

How does the loach soup broth taste?

Chueotang, the signature dish at Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang, is simmered for hours with deep care, giving it exceptional richness and savoriness. The broth has no earthy or fishy smell at all — it's blended smooth and silky, and the first spoonful makes you gasp, 'Wow, this is really deep!'

What side dishes come with the meal?

Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang puts warm care into every side dish, not just the main course. Namul (seasoned vegetable) sides, kimchi and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) are all neatly arranged.

What makes 'Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang Hwadeok Saenggeongui' feel extra special and thoughtful is that care shows in every single side dish on the table, not just the main course.

Clean, mild namul sides: the plain, honest flavor of the vegetables keeps your palate refreshed and feeling healthy.

Cool, crunchy kimchi and kkakdugi: the spicy-tangy, refreshing kimchi is the perfect partner to clean up the richness of the chueotang broth and the savory grilled fish.

Clean, hygienic presentation: the neatly arranged food, sparkling table and spotless utensils make you feel genuinely well taken care of.

Are the loach fritters kid-friendly?

The chueo twigim (loach fritters) at Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang are fried golden in clean oil, making them a treat that even people unfamiliar with loach dishes, or young children, can enjoy without hesitation. They're a cute side that doubles the fun between the chueotang and the grilled mackerel.

Bite into a fritter and you get a satisfying crunch, followed by the crisp batter, and then the mild, savory flavor of the loach follows through smoothly. Even those unsure about loach dishes, or kids, can enjoy this like a tasty snack, no hesitation needed.

Dip it lightly in the special soy sauce and the fritter's savoriness mixes with a salty umami kick, adding a bit of sparkle to the meal. It's the best supporting side, balancing out the textures between the soup and the grilled fish!

How to eat the abalone loach soup for the best flavor

Add a spoon of perilla seed powder, cheongyang chili and minced garlic to the abalone chueotang and the umami really comes alive. The soft ugeoji (dried napa cabbage leaves), the deep broth, and the springy texture of the abalone wrap around your mouth like a pleasant melody.

Sprinkle in a spoonful of savory perilla powder to taste, add a bit of sharp cheongyang chili and minced garlic, and a mysterious, deep umami explodes, completing a magical meal.

Why the 500-degree wood-fired mackerel is crisp outside, juicy inside

The grilled fish at Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang isn't cooked in a regular pan or grill, but in a high-heat wood-fired oven. That's why the inside stays moist while the outside turns crisp.

While you're deep into the rich flavor of the Seolak chueotang, the savory aroma of the hwadeok grilled fish sitting proudly on one side of the table stirs your appetite all over again. Since the fish is cooked at high heat in a wood-fired oven rather than a regular pan or grill, the fish's natural juices and moisture stay locked in, while the outside turns pleasantly crisp.

The doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) tastes just like home too~

Pot rice and sungnyung from the crispy rice crust

The sotbap (stone-pot rice) at Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang is cooked to order, and once the rice is scooped out, water poured over the leftover crispy crust turns into sungnyung (scorched rice tea) by the end of the meal.

The freshly cooked sotbap served alongside the chueotang is the perfect partner to this meal and its hidden star. Lift the lid on the sotbap the moment it arrives, still steaming from being freshly cooked, and glossy white rice reveals itself with a savory aroma.

Take a spoonful of warm, slightly sweet rice, dip it lightly into the rich chueotang broth, and you feel a gentle warmth spread through your whole body. After scooping the rice out neatly into a bowl, don't forget to pour warm water over the golden crust left at the bottom! By the time the meal wraps up, lift the lid and you'll find savory sungnyung waiting, comforting you right down to the last bite.

Taking a break from the daily grind to quietly gaze at the beautiful scenery of Mulwang Reservoir, then filling up on a warm, carefully made Korean meal — isn't that one of the sweetest, simplest joys we can find in everyday life?

🐟 Grilled mackerel with a quiet, glistening sheen

Among the grilled fish dishes, the mackerel is clearly the star — from the moment it arrives, its lovely sheen of fat and golden color catch your eye. The outside is crisp, but lift a thick piece of flesh with your chopsticks and the inside spreads soft and moist like pudding.

It's not salty, just the right amount of savory fat seeping through, so the more you chew, the more the savoriness fills your mouth. Place a thick, savory piece of mackerel on top of steaming warm sotbap and take a bite... honestly, you won't need any other side dish — it's a perfect, lovely flavor memory. It's a top menu item that even young kids love without exception, eyes lighting up!

Who is Seolak Chueotang best for?

• For couples on a sweet stroll: a perfect date course, warming both body and heart with a healthy Korean meal after a reservoir walk!
• For beloved parents: a warm meal of nourishing abalone chueotang and tender wood-fired mackerel, a gift of gratitude and good health!
• For a lively family outing: crisp-outside-moist-inside mackerel and crunchy loach fritters make everyone from kids to grandparents smile through a hearty meal!

If you're craving some warmth today and want to hold hands with someone special, why not take a lovely food trip to 'Mokgam-dong Seolak Chueotang Hwadeok Saenggeongui' near Mulwang Reservoir in Siheung? The rich, bubbling abalone chueotang, the freshly cooked glossy sotbap, and the lovingly wood-fired mackerel will make your day that much warmer and happier!