Goyang grilled fish restaurant with parking front and back: Min Cook

Grilled fish is something I make at home now and then, but properly grilling several kinds of fish at once takes a lot of effort. So instead of cooking at home this time, I went to Min Cook Apbadang, a well-known spot in Seongsa-dong for getting seasonal fish done right.

The name itself was fun — apparently 'badang' is a dialect word for 'sea' used in the Gyeongsang and Jeju regions. The restaurant sources whatever fish is in season from all over the country and cooks up whatever's tastiest at the time, so we went in curious about what we'd get.

Where is Min Cook Apbadang Seongsa, and how are parking and reservations?

Min Cook Apbadang is in Seongsa-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang, so it's easy to reach from the Hwajeong or Wondang side too. It's also convenient from Goyang IKEA, Wondang, Hwajeong Station, Wonheung, and Samsong, and apparently a lot of people stop by after golf rounds since there's a golf course nearby.

Parking honestly matters a lot to me when picking a restaurant, and Min Cook Apbadang has lots both in front and behind the building, so it was easy to visit by car. That alone makes it a solid pick in Seongsa-dong for family dinners or group meals.

There can be a wait on weekends or holidays, but reservations are possible through Naver, so if you're planning a visit, booking ahead is probably a good idea.

What comes in the 40,000-won seasonal grilled fish set for two?

We ordered the seasonal grilled fish set for two at ₩40,000. Since the menu is built around whatever's in season, the fish can vary depending on when you visit.

That day we got three types: flounder, bottom cod, and cod cheek. I loved that it wasn't just one plate of grilled fish — you get to try several kinds in one sitting.

When I eat grilled fish, I really care about whether the flesh comes out moist instead of dry, and each fish that day had a noticeably different texture, which made comparing them fun. The flounder was familiar and clean-tasting, easy to eat without feeling heavy, and the bottom cod had thick, hearty flesh that went great with rice.

But the one that stuck with me was the cod cheek! Among fish cuts, the cheek has this uniquely soft, moist texture, giving it a completely different feel from the other fish. Usually when I eat grilled fish it's just one kind, so having several seasonal fish on one table like this felt noticeably different from a regular meal.

The banchan self-bar: side dishes that go with grilled fish

The seasonal grilled fish set at Min Cook Apbadang isn't just fish on its own — it comes with a nice variety of banchan (side dishes) to eat alongside rice. Grilled fish really does taste best with rice, right? Placing a bit of fish on top of warm rice and adding a side dish here and there, a bowl of rice disappeared fast.

And if the banchan run low, there's a self-bar where you can freely grab more of whatever you want. It's nice enough to get a generous spread from the start, but being able to refill only what you actually want helps cut down on food waste too. Thinking about that, this really does feel like a solid Seongsa-dong restaurant to bring family to.

Is Min Cook Apbadang Seongsa good for a family meal or group dinner?

Min Cook Apbadang felt less like a place that just serves grilled fish and more like a place where you get to properly enjoy a full spread of seasonal ingredients. It's run by Min Cook, a master Japanese-cuisine chef with over 30 years of experience handling fish, and you could sense that know-how in how the fish was handled and what ingredients were used.

The restaurant operates on the philosophy that good ingredients are the best chef, using fish that's actually in season. And sure enough, that day we got to try flounder, bottom cod, and cod cheek — fish you don't usually get to try all at once.

They also run a weekday lunch special from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, so it's worth keeping in mind if you're looking for a lunch spot nearby. With easy parking and a menu that's hard to dislike, it's worth a visit if you're looking for a good restaurant in Seongsa-dong for family gatherings, work dinners, or group meals.

Worth a visit if you want seasonal fish done properly

What I found most interesting about this visit to Min Cook Apbadang in Seongsa-dong was how the fish changes with the season. The flounder, bottom cod, and cod cheek were all delicious, but now I'm curious what seasonal fish will show up next time. That's the charm of seasonal fish — the taste changes with the season, so even ordering the same menu means meeting a new fish depending on when you visit.

The seasonal grilled fish set for two at ₩40,000 was satisfying since we got to try several kinds of fish at once, and with rice and a variety of banchan, it made for a filling meal. It seems like it would suit bringing parents who love grilled fish, or anytime you're looking for an easy family meal spot.

If you're near Wondang, Hwajeong, Wonheung, or Samsong and craving proper grilled fish, Min Cook Apbadang in Seongsa-dong is worth trying for a spread built around seasonal fish. We'd love to come back in a different season to try whatever fish is in season then. A hearty, extra-tasty grilled fish spread thanks to the season — that's what we enjoyed at this Seongsa-dong restaurant, Min Cook Apbadang.