Tom yum fried rice lunch at a Sejong Thai restaurant: Mekong Thai

Mekong Thai in Naseong-dong, Sejong 🌿 Lunch with a friend

I had lunch with a friend I met after moving to Sejong last year, at Mekong Thai Sejong Naseong Branch. My friend lived in several Southeast Asian countries for years, so we had plenty to talk about while picking our dishes 👀 Let me walk you through the tom yum fried rice and brisket pho we ate together, plus the restaurant's vibe :)

Where is Mekong Thai Sejong Naseong Branch, and what are its hours and parking?

Mekong Thai Sejong Naseong Branch is on the 2nd floor of the NS Building, 133-9 Naseong-ro, Sejong, South Korea. Hours are 10:30–21:00, with a break time from 15:30 to 17:00, and parking is available inside the building.

We visited a bit after the weekday lunch rush. Stepping off the elevator, the banner and storefront were right there, so it was easy to find.

Inside Mekong Thai: ceramic teapots on every table

Walking into Mekong Thai Sejong Naseong Branch, my friend looked around at the interior and said, "This actually looks like it might taste authentic!" haha — coming from someone who'd lived in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries, that made me look around the place one more time.

Once we sat down, tea arrived in a ceramic teapot. I even caught the brief moment of pouring it on video 🍵 There were food posters on the wall, fun to look at while waiting for the menu.

There was a separate group table in the back too, which looked good for eating with a larger group.

Ordering tom yum fried rice and brisket pho R at Mekong Thai

We picked our food looking at the menu board above the counter. My friend was happy to spot tom yum goong on the menu haha. After going back and forth between tom yum fried rice and pineapple fried rice, my friend ordered the tom yum fried rice (₩15,900). I went with the brisket pho R (₩12,900). I was curious about the side dishes too, but we decided to stick to just the two mains this time.

The soy sauce and cheongyang chili combo a friend recommended

My friend, who ordered the tom yum fried rice, asked for soy sauce and cheongyang chili peppers on the side. The staff brought them right over. My friend told me this was how they used to eat it while living in Southeast Asia — a combo I'd never have thought of on my own, so I watched closely how my friend ate 👀

How did the tom yum fried rice and brisket pho taste?

The tom yum fried rice had that distinctive aroma but wasn't too intense for my taste. If you're trying tom yum for the first time, I think starting with the fried rice version isn't a bad idea.

The broth in my brisket pho was light and clean. Bean sprouts came out separately in a generous portion, so I could add as much as I liked partway through.

The meat was also a good size for eating with kids. According to the restaurant, bean sprouts, lemon, and cilantro are provided on request — just ask the staff if you need any.

Eating pho the way the table card at Mekong Thai suggests

There was also a card on the table explaining how to eat the pho. It suggested mixing red chili sauce and black hoisin sauce to dip meat or onions, or adding lemon, cilantro, and cheongyang chili to taste. There was also a method of adding cilantro and cheongyang chili to the broth, finishing with pepper, and pouring it over rice. The broth, it said, is made by simmering brisket for a long time with more than 10 kinds of herbs.

Is Mekong Thai in Naseong-dong, Sejong worth a visit?

This time, coming with a friend who'd lived in Southeast Asia, I learned about the soy sauce and cheongyang chili combo I'd have otherwise walked right past. I also remember visiting with family before, when my kid happily ate the pineapple fried rice and pho — which is why this place comes to mind again when I'm looking for somewhere to eat with kids. If you're in Naseong-dong, Sejong, and want pho or fried rice for lunch, this is worth keeping in mind. There's also a group table in the back worth checking out if you're looking for a spot for a gathering 🌿

A Naseong-dong lunch where a friend who lived in Southeast Asia taught me a new combo 🍜