Hanam Korean restaurant for abalone rice soup with parents: O Hyeongje

While looking for a good spot in Hanam Misa for a family gathering, I initially expected something like a typical Chinese restaurant. But when I actually visited, it felt quite different from the Chinese restaurant atmosphere I had imagined. Even the side dishes arrived neatly in a Korean-food style, and the nurungjitang (crispy scorched-rice soup) we ordered as the main felt like a proper bowl of restorative food. It was especially an easy menu to share with parents, so I thought it would make a nice Hanam Misa venue for a family gathering.

What are the location and parking like?

This time, I visited O Hyeongje Hwangje Nurungjitang Hanam Misa Main Branch (오형제황제누룽지탕 하남미사본점). Parking is often the thing you worry about most when eating out as a family, but there was plenty of space, so it was easy to come by car. When you are out with parents or children, being able to park comfortably nearby really matters, right? In that respect, my first impression was already a good one.

• Address: 616-1 Misa-daero, 1F, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (경기 하남시 미사대로 616-1 1층)
• Hours: 11:00–21:20
• Parking available

A spacious, tidy restaurant that is great with parents

Once inside, the restaurant was much more spacious than I expected. The tables were not cramped together, and the whole place was kept clean, making it nice for a relaxed family meal. Rather than the slightly bustling or greasy feeling of a typical Chinese restaurant, it felt closer to a clean Korean restaurant. That is one reason I would recommend it for a meal with parents or a Hanam Misa family gathering with a larger group.

Nurungjitang and tangsuyuk on the menu

True to the name O Hyeongje Hwangje Nurungjitang, the signature dish is, of course, nurungjitang. There were choices with seafood as well as abalone, so it was a great lineup for when you want a substantial meal. There were plenty of cooked dishes too, and the tangsuyuk (sweet-and-sour fried pork) came in a mini size, which made it easy to order as a side with the nurungjitang.

They also had a variety of drinks and alcoholic beverages, so I would recommend it for dinner as well.

What we ordered

• Seafood abalone nurungjitang
• Mini fresh tenderloin tangsuyuk

Seafood abalone nurungjitang loaded with seafood

As soon as the nurungjitang arrived at the table, they poured it straight into a hot ttukbaegi (earthenware bowl), and from that moment it felt like the real deal. It sizzled and bubbled away, looking delicious before I had even taken a bite, and they topped it with a small ginseng root at the end.

After one bite, the broth was not overpowering; it was nutty and rich, and above all, it was truly packed with seafood. With abalone in it too, finishing one bowl made me feel as though I had eaten a proper restorative meal rather than an ordinary meal out.

And what surprised me most was how well the abalone had been cleaned. Looking closely at it, it was prepped so thoroughly that I wondered how they had scrubbed it this clean. Honestly, even when I cook abalone at home, I do not scrub it that hard, haha.

That made me even happier, because it gave me the impression that they take real care in preparing their ingredients, even for a single dish.

A mini fresh tenderloin tangsuyuk on the side

The mini fresh tenderloin tangsuyuk we ordered alongside it was just the right amount to pair with the nurungjitang. If nurungjitang alone feels a little lacking, adding one makes the whole meal much better.

The sauce came separately for dipping, so you could enjoy it however you liked. It was mild and tasty, which was nice because everyone, young or old, could enjoy it without much room for disagreement.

And personally, I really liked the side dishes. Instead of the usual Chinese restaurant lineup focused on pickled radish and onion, Korean-style side dishes came with the meal, so I think the parents' generation would feel much more at ease eating here too.

You can get more side dishes at the self-service bar, which was kept very neatly. There was also fruit for dessert at the self-service bar. After a hearty bowl of nurungjitang, grabbing a piece of fruit made for such a tidy finish to the meal.

Membership rewards to know before signing up

If you visit O Hyeongje Hwangje Nurungjitang, I recommend signing up for membership first. You receive ₩2,000 in credit immediately when you join, and scanning your receipt after your meal earns mileage worth 3% of the payment amount. If you think you will visit from time to time for family meals rather than only once, it is quite a worthwhile benefit!

Final thoughts on a Hanam Misa family meal

I did not expect too much at first because it was a restaurant specializing in nurungjitang, but I was more satisfied than expected with everything from the food to the atmosphere. In particular, the nurungjitang with thoroughly cleaned abalone and generous seafood made me feel properly nourished after just one bowl.

There was ample parking, the restaurant was spacious and clean, and the food was not overly seasoned, so it was great for everyone from children to parents to eat together. So if you are looking for a good Hanam Misa restaurant for a family gathering, I would recommend trying O Hyeongje Hwangje Nurungjitang Hanam Misa Main Branch at least once. I think I would come back when I want a slightly special, hearty family meal rather than an ordinary Chinese meal!