Korean restaurant in Goyang: Haenon Miyeok beef and pollock soup

Wanting a filling meal with warm soup, I visited Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch. I ordered the beef seaweed soup set meal and the dried pollock seaweed soup set meal, and it was nice to compare their distinct broths.

Where is the restaurant, and is parking available?

The restaurant is at 30 Aenigol-gil, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, and building parking is available. The hours listed in the original post were 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with a weekday break from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. It was listed as having no regular closing day.

I visited at night, and the brightly lit exterior stood out even from a distance. A phrase on the outer wall about focusing on the single dish of seaweed soup stayed with me.

What is the atmosphere like for a family meal?

The interior was spacious and calm, with a wood-toned ceiling and soft lighting. The wall decorations representing seaweed and the sea were memorable, too. The tables were well spaced, so it seemed suitable for a family meal.

Can you refill the side dishes and rice?

I could take as many additional side dishes as I needed from the self-service bar. Kimchi and several other side dishes were neatly prepared, which was convenient. It is best to take small portions so nothing goes to waste.

I ordered at the table using the table-order system. The notice said that steamed rice could be refilled without limit when each person orders one menu item. Because the food arrives in hot earthenware pots, diners were advised to watch out for burns; anyone with a perilla seed powder or grain powder allergy was also advised to mention it before ordering.

What side dishes come with the seaweed soup set meal?

Before the seaweed soup arrived, the table was set with japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), kimchi, vegetable side dishes, and seasoned seaweed. The japchae had springy noodles with seasoning worked through evenly. It also had plenty of wood ear mushrooms, adding a chewy texture.

Seasoned flounder was served as well. It was salty and savory, and went well with the rice. With seaweed soup and many side dishes to enjoy together, the spread suited the name of a set meal.

The fried flounder was crisp with a spicy sauce, while the tangsuyuk-style eggplant had a sweet-and-sour sauce. The seasoned cockles combined chewy cockles with a spicy seasoning. These were good side dishes to have between spoonfuls of the mild seaweed soup.

How do the beef and dried pollock seaweed soups differ?

How rich is the beef seaweed soup?

The beef seaweed soup arrived bubbling in an earthenware pot. There was plenty of seaweed, and the broth was rich without feeling overly heavy. The savory depth of the beef paired well with the tender seaweed. The earthenware pot kept it warm to the last bite; I ate some seaweed over rice, then mixed rice into the broth.

What did the dried pollock seaweed soup taste like?

The dried pollock seaweed soup had a lighter, more refreshing savory flavor than the beef version. The flavor drawn from the dried pollock blended with tender seaweed, giving the broth depth without being overpowering. I thought the beef would suit anyone wanting a nutty, savory taste, while the dried pollock would suit anyone wanting something light and refreshing. If two people visit, ordering one of each to share would work well, too.

Did the rice go well with the seaweed soup?

The rice contained sea vegetables, so it went well with the seaweed soup. At first, I alternated bites of soup and rice, then mixed rice into the broth at the end and topped each bite with a side dish.

This was a filling meal of warm seaweed soup with many side dishes. The soup itself was not strongly seasoned, so I felt it would be a good choice on a day when spicy or intense flavors feel like too much. It is a place I might think of when looking for a Korean meal with parents or children.