Fruit-broth mulhoe at a Seongnam-dong sashimi restaurant, Incheon

I visited a flatfish sashimi restaurant with my husband. We went to Uridongne Yeonan Budu, already a well-known Seongnam-dong restaurant.

Sunday 6pm at Uridongne Yeonan Budu: was there a wait?

I heard Uridongne Yeonan Budu Seongnam Main Branch gets busy on weekdays, so I went on a Sunday evening instead. We arrived around 6pm, and true to its reputation, the place was already packed with customers. Luckily there was a table free and we could eat right away.

The live fish tank and the seafood side dishes that come first

There's a big, beautifully clean fish tank right at the entrance, so the freshness of the live fish hits you the moment you walk in. We ordered the flatfish set with mulhoe.

As soon as we ordered, live abalone, sea squirt, mullet sashimi, soy-marinated shrimp and other sashimi banchan covered the table — I was already amazed before the main dish even arrived.

How clean is the live fish tank, and what is the restaurant like?

Looking at the fish tank out front really built my trust in the freshness here. The water is kept so clean that you could clearly see the flatfish swimming around. As a popular Seongnam-dong favorite, they say the place is always packed during meal times.

Flatfish makhoe cut as long as noodles

Uridongne's signature flatfish makhoe (rough-cut raw fish) is sliced into long, noodle-like strips, so it's visually striking right off the bat. I popped a piece in my mouth and there wasn't a hint of fishiness — just a chewy, bouncy texture that filled my mouth. The more I chewed, the more that distinctive nuttiness and clean, fresh flavor came through.

Why live fish and fruit broth make this mulhoe so refreshing

Only live fish and live shellfish: how fresh is it?

The freshness of Uridongne's mulhoe starts with using live fish straight from the tank. Since it's not frozen but freshly prepared from live fish on the spot, the chewy bounce and nuttiness of the sashimi really stand out. The moment it hit my mouth, the springy texture of the live flatfish was pure art — I couldn't put my chopsticks down!

Naturally sweet fruit broth, not artificial syrup

Instead of harsh seasoning, the broth is made with plenty of real ground fruit, giving it a deep savory flavor. It's a completely different kind of sweet-and-sour from sugar or store-bought sauces — clean and refreshing on the palate. One spoonful of the icy fruit broth and you feel that refreshing chill go straight through you — it's hard not to gasp a little.

Warm corn butter and kimchi jeon on the side

Amid all the cold seafood, the warm banchan dishes that arrive raise the satisfaction even further. Steaming hot, savory corn butter and golden-fried kimchi jeon (pancake) come out together. Take a bite of the sweet corn butter, then tear off a piece of the spicy, crispy pancake, and your appetite just keeps going. Dishes kept coming out nonstop, so much that our wide table started to feel small — the owner's generosity was something else.

Where do you park near Uridongne Yeonan Budu?

If you're driving, you can use the Gangnam Market public parking lot, just a 2-minute walk from the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Q1. How much does parking cost at the Gangnam Market public lot?

The Gangnam Market public parking lot charges ₩600 for the first 30 minutes, then a low ₩300 for every additional 15 minutes. It's just a 1–2 minute walk from the restaurant, so parking is very convenient.

Q2. Is there a wait or a time limit with the flatfish special set?

As a popular local favorite, there can be a wait on Friday evenings or weekends. When the restaurant is full, dining time is limited to 2 hours out of consideration for waiting customers, but the set comes out quickly, so you can still eat comfortably and be full.

Q3. Can you refill the seasoned vegetables for the flatfish hoemuchim?

Yes, when you order the flatfish hoemuchim (spicy mixed raw fish), you get one free refill of the seasoned vegetables. The sauce is so good that whether you're mixing it with rice or eating it alongside the sashimi, they're happy to bring you a refill if you ask.