Grilled salmon collar lunch, 2 a day, near Hwajeong Station: Min Cook

Hi everyone, this is Sumin :)

I was going through that time of the month recently and my condition was pretty rough. Apparently when you're like this you should avoid flour-based food or cold food, and eat something healthy like fish instead. So while figuring out what to eat for lunch near Hwajeong Station, I got a craving for grilled fish and headed to Min Cook Misoyaki.

Turns out this place is run by Master Chef Min Kang-hyun. His nickname is "Min Cook," which is where the restaurant name comes from. Knowing that backstory made me even more curious about the place haha.

Why I picked Min Cook Misoyaki for lunch near Hwajeong Station

More than anything, the menu I ordered that day included the grilled salmon neck, sold at just 2 servings per day, so I ordered it right away. Since I was craving a grilled fish lunch near Hwajeong Station that day, I think I picked the right thing.

Inside Min Cook Misoyaki: the room and eating alone

The overall vibe at Min Cook Misoyaki was clean and tidy. It didn't feel too awkward to eat alone, so I think it'd be fine for anyone dining solo near Hwajeong Station. The atmosphere also suited a simple lunch meal well.

Grilled salmon collar, 11,000 won and only 2 a day

Grilled salmon neck, ₩11,000 — the dish I was most curious about that day!

Since it's only 2 servings a day, I figured I had to try it if I ever saw it available haha. Eating grilled salmon neck felt a bit unfamiliar, but once it actually arrived, the visual was better than I expected.

Golden-browned salmon served with rice — a solid combo for a full meal! You could really feel the salmon's signature soft texture, and grilled it had a different charm than raw sashimi.

Grilled fish like this really shines when eaten with rice. One bite of fish, one spoonful of rice, and before I knew it I'd finished the plate faster than expected. Since it's only 2 servings a day, I'm not sure it'll be there next time I visit, but if it is, I'd definitely order it again.

How was the extra-large miso-grilled mackerel at 12,000 won?

The other dish I ordered was the extra-large miso-grilled mackerel, ₩12,000. True to its name, the mackerel was quite big.

It came as about half a fish, and the flesh was thick, so it went well with rice. Being grilled with miso, it had a different flavor from a plain salt-grilled version.

The mackerel's natural richness combined with the miso seasoning made the rice disappear fast! Personally, out of everything I ate that day, the miso-grilled mackerel was the most familiar and easiest to enjoy. Grilled fish really does need to be eaten with rice haha.

Rice and drinks at Min Cook Misoyaki

Rice came included as standard, so it was already filling without adding extra. I also ordered a Coca-Cola Zero 355ml for ₩1,500 to drink alongside.

Taking a sip of soda between bites of grilled fish cleaned my palate nicely. It paired well with a light lunch.

Is Min Cook Misoyaki worth it for a grilled fish lunch in Goyang?

Overall, what I ate at Min Cook Misoyaki that day was a solid, satisfying meal if you like grilled fish. Cooking fish at home is often a hassle because of the smell, so having someone else grill it warm and serve it with rice outside felt convenient.

If you're tired of eating the same thing every day for lunch near Hwajeong Station, or want a hearty meal of grilled fish, Min Cook Misoyaki is worth checking out. Next time I'd like to try their other grilled fish menu items. If you're near Hwajeong Station and love grilled fish, this one's worth keeping in mind :)