Braised pork rib set for 3 in Guwol-dong, Incheon: Haemokjeong Guwol

Today I'm bringing you a story about my visit to Haemokjeong Guwol Branch on Guwol-dong Rodeo Street in Namdong-gu, Incheon. I'd been curious about this place where you can enjoy seafood and braised ribs together, and after going in person, it turned out to be satisfying in many ways.

Where is Haemokjeong Guwol Branch, and what about parking and hours?

Haemokjeong Guwol Branch is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Plaza building on Guwol-dong Rodeo Street. Thankfully there's a parking lot, and with 2 hours of free parking, driving there was no burden at all.

Once you park and head up to the 2nd floor, the Haemokjeong sign comes right into view, so it wasn't hard to find.

• Hours: Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
• Fri–Sat 11:00 AM–midnight

I liked that they run late with no break time. Even if a dinner meetup runs late, it seems easy to head over.

Inside Haemokjeong: wave videos and a full-length mirror

As soon as I stepped into Haemokjeong Guwol Branch, they were projecting wave videos with a beam projector to give the feeling of stepping into the sea. It was an impressive concept for a seafood specialty spot.

In front of it was a full-length mirror that naturally served as a photo zone. It was a nice spot to snap a photo before the meal.

What to order for 3: the Haemokjeong B set plus extra pork ribs

We ordered the Haemokjeong B set (spicy braised pork ribs + mushroom kalguksu noodles for 1 + 2pc fried squid). Since there were 3 of us, we figured the portion might not be enough, so we also added extra pork ribs (₩25,000).

A timer for the mushroom kalguksu noodles

The food was set up in no time, and the staff brought a timer along with it. They told us that after 2 minutes, the mushroom kalguksu (noodle soup) would be ready to eat, which was really convenient since we didn't have to guess when it would taste best. It was a small detail, but it made me feel like they really cared about their guests.

Mushroom kalguksu noodles at Haemokjeong

The mushroom kalguksu was so generous I had to wonder if this was really just one serving. It was loaded with mushrooms too. It was just the right amount for 3 of us to share as a side dish, so we could enjoy it without any pressure.

Spicy braised pork ribs: how hot is the regular spice level?

The main dish, braised pork ribs, had the meat and rice cakes neatly arranged, looking appetizing just to look at. We ordered it at regular spice level (Shin Ramyun spiciness), and it suited our taste perfectly. There was almost no spicy kick, and the sauce had soaked well into the meat, making it tasty without being too intense.

Fried squid in the Haemokjeong B set

The fried squid was fried up wonderfully crispy. The staff recommended dipping it in the braising sauce for extra flavor, but I just dipped mine in the soy sauce that was already set out. Fried food really is unbeatable with soy sauce, I think. The squid flesh was plump and tender too, pairing nicely with the batter.

A free bowl of seafood seaweed soup

There was a notice on the tablet saying that guests celebrating a birthday get seaweed soup, but for some reason we're not sure of, they gave us some as a service too. I'm not sure if this is always offered, but the refreshing seafood seaweed soup was perfect to eat alongside rice partway through the meal.

Adding the extra pork ribs to the hot pot at the end

When we were nearly done with the braised pork ribs, the staff dropped in the extra pork ribs we'd ordered and warmed them back up. Since the burner underneath stayed lit the whole time, the food never went cold and stayed warm throughout. Having a consistent temperature from start to finish made the whole meal satisfying.

The convex mirror photo spot on the way out

On the way out after finishing the meal, there was a convex mirror where we could take fun photos with friends. It was a small thing, but it made for a fun way to end the visit.

Is Haemokjeong Guwol Branch worth it? Final verdict

Haemokjeong Guwol Branch struck me as a great place to visit when you're craving delicious Korean food. That said, it was a bit of a shame that, true to the restaurant's name, I didn't get to try any seafood dishes. Next time I visit, I'm definitely planning to order the seafood braised ribs.

Also, for those who like spicy food, I think choosing the spicy option over regular would be more satisfying. If you're looking for a family meal or gathering spot in Guwol-dong, I recommend Haemokjeong Guwol Branch!