Wheat-tteok tteokbokki at a Yeouido IFC Mall snack bar: Hyeonseonine

Today I'm introducing a tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) spot in Yeouido! Honestly this place is amazing because they have both regular tteokbokki and jeukseok (instant-style) tteokbokki, so you can pick whichever you're in the mood for! I got the Hyeonseoni set and wow, the portions were huge and it was seriously delicious! Let me show you.

Where is Hyeonseonine Premium IFC Mall Branch, and what are its hours?

Hyeonseonine Premium IFC Mall Branch is at 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, IFC Mall B2, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. It's open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, with last order at 20:40.

This is Hyeonseonine's Yeouido IFC Mall branch! Before I get into the review, let me point out exactly where it is. I assumed "IFC Mall branch" meant it would be inside IFC Mall's B2 level, but it's actually located in the underground walkway connecting the subway station and IFC Mall.

If you're coming from Yeouido Station by subway, follow the signs toward IFC Mall. If you're coming from IFC Mall like I did, head toward the subway — use Beotkkot Pharmacy as your landmark, exit past the bakery next to it, then walk right and you'll find it!

Also, besides the indoor seating, there are tables outside too, and those were packed as well, so honestly it's pretty easy to spot!

Finding a seat, ordering at the kiosk and using the self-bar

Before I even found the entrance, I saw the outdoor seats were already packed. Only two 2-person tables were left outside, so I headed inside instead. Luckily one 2-top was free inside and I grabbed it fast — it was so crowded inside I barely had a chance to take photos,,

Right when you walk in, there's a kiosk on the left for easy ordering, but I'd suggest grabbing a seat first before ordering! I got the Hyeonseoni set (tuna mayo rice bowl, sundae, mixed fritters, medium-spice tteokbokki) plus one extra drink.

At the far right of the entrance there's a self-serve bar. This place is self-serve from start to finish! Once you order, you just grab everything you need there yourself.

Once you've gathered everything like this

the food comes out right away, seriously. This place is so popular and busy that it seems like everything's pre-prepped. I was shocked it all came out just 3 minutes after ordering!

What comes in the Hyeonseoni set, and how spicy is medium?

The Hyeonseoni set comes with tteokbokki, sundae, mixed fritters, and a tuna mayo rice bowl, and you can pick your spice level for the tteokbokki: mild, medium, or spicy. I ordered medium, and as someone who can't handle spice well, it was just the right level for me!

First up, the tteokbokki! The color looked great, and the portion was bigger than I expected — loved that.

The rice cakes were wheat-flour tteok (milddeok), so nice and chewy — so good. There was also fish cake, about 3-4 pieces, which was perfect for me since I'm not a huge fish cake fan!

Sundae packed with lung, plus free fish cake broth

Next is the sundae (blood sausage). It's not just sundae — it also comes with various organs like liver and lungs, which I really liked. Above all, there was a generous amount of lungs, which made me very happy.

Sundae is the best

Tastes great plain, and also great dipped in salt or soy sauce. Salt and soy sauce are both at the self-serve bar!

My beloved lungs, so delicious

Sip on the fish cake broth in between too. Hot and so good.

Tuna mayo rice bowl dipped in the tteokbokki sauce

Next is the tuna mayo rice bowl. Honestly, Koreans always need rice power. No matter how much delicious snack food is on the table, you can't skip rice. And tuna mayo rice bowl on top of that? Impossible to resist!

They thoughtfully gave disposable gloves so I could mix it well by hand

Rolling it up like on the left is so delicious. The mayo was mixed in at just the right amount, so it was great on its own, but if you leave it mixed and pour the tteokbokki sauce over the top, that's the ultimate move. So, so good.

Five kinds of fritters, squid fritter included

Last up, the mixed fritters! Seeing them come out so fast, I think they must be pre-fried, but they were warm and crispy, which surprised me.

There were actually 5 different types! Mandu japchae fritter, sweet potato fritter, gimmari (seaweed roll), vegetable fritter, and

squid fritter too! Totally amazing! Seriously so delicious.

Though maybe because they were busy, the staff were a bit curt with customers, which was a bit of a downside,,