Suwon grilled fish & sashimi set for two that feeds three: Godeungeo

This visit diary is about Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch (고등어명품이되다 수원점), a grilled fish restaurant in Suwon.

Why I picked the Myeongpum set at Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch

I ordered the Myeongpum set (명품정식) for two at Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch, and a discount event on the set was running during my visit. To get to the point: the taste was satisfying, but above all the portion was enormous.

I was craving grilled fish today, so I headed to Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch. I like grilled fish in general, but this time I decided to go a little special with the Myeongpum set. The discount event happened to be on, so I ordered it, and honestly the food tasted great, but the amount was just huge. I definitely ordered two servings, but to me it felt like almost three. Even I, who usually eat a lot, felt full. So here goes my review of this Suwon grilled fish spot.

Location and parking

Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch is at 1731 Seobu-ro, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi, on the first floor, and there is a large private parking lot in front of the building. The restaurant is quite big, so it's easy to visit by car. As a grilled fish place, it seems fine for taking your parents out or for a family meal.

Opening hours

The restaurant is open daily 10:40–22:00, with last order at 20:50. You can go for either lunch or dinner, which is convenient.

Inside the restaurant and the mackerel tank

I was surprised at how large it was once I stepped inside. There is plenty of seating and the overall feel was clean. They brought water as we came in, too.

It's a grilled fish restaurant, but the space is roomier than an average Korean restaurant, so it looks good for a relaxed meal. It also seemed suitable for families or bigger groups.

Inside there was a fun tank with live mackerel. Watching them swim around made me think the mackerel sashimi must be good here.

How does the Myeongpum set for two differ from the set for three?

The fish in the Myeongpum set changes depending on the number of diners, and the menu said the set for two comes with grilled mackerel and grilled Atka mackerel (imyeonsu). The restaurant has a variety of grilled fish and set menus, but since the Myeongpum set discount event was on during my visit, we ordered the set for two.

The set for three has a different fish lineup, so it's worth checking the menu before you order.

But the Myeongpum set isn't just grilled fish. It comes with raw fish and jeyuk-bokkeum as well.

How big is the Myeongpum set for two?

The Myeongpum set for two filled the table with grilled mackerel and Atka mackerel, mackerel and croaker sashimi, jeyuk-bokkeum and lots of side dishes, almost like three servings. The first thing I thought when it was laid out was, "Is this really for two?" The dishes kept landing on the table and it was far more generous than I'd expected.

With grilled mackerel and Atka mackerel, mackerel and croaker sashimi, plus jeyuk-bokkeum and various side dishes, the table was truly packed. I usually eat a lot, but this time I kept thinking the portion was big even while eating. Honestly, you could call it a set for three instead of two.

Grilled mackerel and Atka mackerel

The grilled mackerel was golden outside and moist inside, with that rich flavor of fish coming through nicely. I started with the grilled fish since it matters most; the surface was golden and appetizing, and one bite told me it was really good.

The flesh came off the bones softly, which was great with rice, and above all I felt the grilled fish was done really well.

The Atka mackerel that came with it was also very satisfying. Atka mackerel has a mild charm different from mackerel, and alternating between the two was fun because the flavor and texture differ. Personally, I couldn't find a single flaw in the grilled fish this meal. That's why I'd recommend Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda if you're looking for a Suwon grilled fish restaurant.

Is the mackerel sashimi fishy? What about the croaker?

The mackerel sashimi in the set had no fishy taste at all and I really enjoyed it, and the croaker sashimi (mineo-hoe) was mild and clean. Mackerel sashimi can be hit or miss because of its fishy flavor, right? But there was no such worry here.

The soy sauce for the sashimi and the tray were stored inside the table.

I liked the texture of fresh raw fish and its rich flavor, and since it feels totally different from the grilled fish, eating them together was fun.

The croaker sashimi was also mild and clean, and I enjoyed it. They're good at grilled fish and the raw fish is tasty too, so there was truly nothing lacking in the food.

They also gave us what I think was croaker skin, and its chewy texture was fascinating. Being able to enjoy both grilled fish and raw fish in one meal seems to be the big appeal of the Myeongpum set.

Jeyuk-bokkeum comes out twice?

Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda serves a mini jeyuk-bokkeum as a basic side dish, and the Myeongpum set brings another jeyuk-bokkeum separately. So I got to eat the side dish jeyuk plus the jeyuk included in the set. That surprised me too.

The grilled fish alone was plenty, and with a generous jeyuk-bokkeum on top it was a truly hearty lineup. Alternating between fish and meat made the meal more varied too. The more I ate, the more I understood why it's called the Myeongpum (premium) set.

Self-serve banchan refills and sikhye

Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch has a self-serve bar where you can refill various side dishes, and sikhye (sweet rice drink) is served by default. The basic side dishes are already varied, and if you want more of something you can fetch it yourself from the bar.

There are many side dishes that go well with grilled fish, so you can eat to your taste. Another surprise was that sikhye comes as standard. Many places sell it separately, but here you can enjoy sikhye after the meal, which I liked. After a hearty meal, the cold, sweet sikhye was perfect for cleansing the palate. With banchan refills and sikhye, the service was really satisfying.

Verdict: is the Myeongpum set at Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch worth it?

Godeungeo Myeongpumi Doeda Suwon Branch gave me a really satisfying meal. If you're looking for a Suwon grilled fish restaurant, I recommend trying the Myeongpum set here at least once.