Japanese restaurant near Hwajeong Station: 2pm katsu lunch, Min Cook

This is my honest review of eating salt-grilled black cod and pork katsu with my kid at Min Cook Misoyaki, a well-known spot near Hwajeong Station. I've put together everything from parking to the menu, the mood of the restaurant, and its hours, all based on what I actually experienced.

I was looking for a good restaurant near Hwajeong Station when my son said he wanted grilled black cod, so we went to Min Cook Misoyaki. I'd finished a morning lesson in Seocho-dong, checked in on my kid's schedule, and stopped by Hwajeong for lunch on my way back to the office. Here's my honest take on the salt-grilled black cod, the special pork katsu, and the handmade shrimp tempura we ate that day, along with the vibe of the place.

Where is Min Cook Misoyaki, and where do you park? 1 hour free at the E-Mart opposite

Min Cook Misoyaki's address is 37 Hwasin-ro 260beon-gil, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, 1st floor. We drove there, but the restaurant's own lot turned out to be mechanical parking.

The building manager told us we could get 1 hour free at the E-Mart parking lot across the street, so we moved the car there instead.

By the time we finished parking and walked over to the restaurant, it was already nearly 2pm.

I was a bit anxious since lunch hours were running out, but thankfully we still got to eat.

Inside Min Cook Misoyaki: a small, spotless Japanese dining room in Hwajeong

My first impression when we arrived in front of Min Cook Misoyaki was that it looked compact and clean.

At the entrance there was a plaque reading "Korea Master Craftsman, Japanese Cuisine, Min Kang-hyun." I'd never seen a plaque like that before, so it made me curious about what kind of food we'd get.

Inside, a few people were already eating, and there were counter (dachi-style) seats set up on one side. It looked like a comfortable layout for eating solo, too.

How QR ordering works at Min Cook Misoyaki

When I sat down and went to order, I realized it was QR ordering. I'd never ordered food by QR code before, so it felt a bit novel. I thought, "so this is a thing now," and finished ordering feeling like I'd experienced some new technology, haha.

What we ordered that day was salt-grilled black cod, a special pork katsu, and handmade shrimp tempura.

While waiting for the food, I looked around and noticed sashimi knives displayed like framed art on one wall. It felt like it was telling a story about Min Cook's history and Japanese cuisine.

And most of all, what I liked was how clean both the dining area and the kitchen looked. The kitchen was visible straight ahead from my seat, and the overall impression was that everything was well kept, which made it comfortable to eat there with my kid.

Starters: soft porridge and salad

After a short wait, salad and porridge came out first. The porridge was quite soft and had a flavor that whetted the appetite. As we ate happily, though, the portion felt a little small. I don't know why delicious food always seems to come in small portions, haha.

Pickled radish, stir-fried kimchi, and pork katsu sauce came with it too.

Handmade shrimp tempura: crisp and freshly fried

The first dish to arrive was the handmade shrimp tempura. The batter was crispy, so the texture was great with the first bite. The shrimp inside was plump too, so it was good to share with my kid. As we picked at it before the main dishes arrived, it disappeared quickly.

Salt-grilled black cod, the dish my child was waiting for

Then the salt-grilled black cod, the whole reason for our visit that day, arrived. It was plated neatly and cleanly, so it looked great too.

It came with lemon for easy eating, along with a bowl of rice and miso soup.

The black cod flesh was quite thick, and when I pulled a piece apart with my chopsticks, it felt plump and tender. Most of all, my son really enjoyed eating the grilled black cod.

The black cod in particular didn't have many small bones, so it was easy to eat with my kid.

My son dipped his piece in soy sauce, while I added a bit of wasabi.

The mild black cod paired well with the wasabi, so I happily got a bite too.

The special Korean pork katsu I ordered

Next came the special pork katsu I'd ordered. Two pieces of katsu and a fairly large shrimp tempura sat on top, so it looked quite appetizing.

Biting into it, I heard a crisp sound and felt the thick meat inside. The breading was crunchy and the meat had good thickness, so the chewing texture was nice too.

But of the two pieces of pork katsu, one ended up going straight into my son's stomach, haha.

Whenever I eat out with my kid, it seems like even the dish I ordered ends up shared.

Min Cook Misoyaki hours, break time and last order

Here are the hours as currently confirmed.

• Monday–Saturday 11:00 - 21:00
• Break time 15:00 - 16:00
• Last order 14:30 / 20:30
• Closed on Sundays

When we visited, it was nearly 2pm, so lunch hours were almost over. If you're planning a late lunch, it's a good idea to check the last order time before visiting. Hours can change, so I'd also recommend checking the latest info before you go.

Is Min Cook Misoyaki worth it for a late lunch with kids near Hwajeong Station?

Luckily we finished eating before break time and left the restaurant feeling relaxed. What stuck with me most about eating at Min Cook Misoyaki that day was

the clean, tidy style of Japanese food and the clean atmosphere of the restaurant.

Above all, I was happy that my kid got to enjoy the grilled black cod he'd been wanting to eat. After finishing, we headed back to E-Mart to get our car and drove to the office.

If you're looking for good Japanese food to eat with kids near Hwajeong Station, or if you want to try grilled black cod and pork katsu together, Min Cook Misoyaki is worth checking out. I was quite satisfied with our meal that day, and I also remember the owner being kind and welcoming. I'd like to try other menu items next time, so this is a Hwajeong Station spot I'd happily revisit.