Goyang Korean restaurant for kid-friendly fish: Min Cook Apbadang

A real change-of-season chill has been blowing in during the mornings and evenings lately. That is exactly when we need hearty, nourishing food! So I decided to treat my child to grilled fish, their all-time favorite side dish. I wanted a healthy meal with great quality that was mild enough for a child to eat without worry. After an intense search, I found this much-talked-about spot, where a master fish griller carefully cooks fresh seasonal ingredients every morning, and the whole family headed over. It was such a wonderful restaurant that brought back our lost appetites in no time.

Min Cook Apbadang Seongsa: Basic Information

• Address: 60-1 Heungdo-ro 415beon-gil, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Hours: Tue–Sun 10:50–21:00 (closes at 20:30 on weekends)
• Break time: 15:00–16:30 (starts at 15:30 on weekends)
• Closed: Every Monday
• Parking and reservations: There are generously sized dedicated parking lots in front of and behind the restaurant, making parking very easy. Weekends and public holidays can have long waits, so try making a reservation.

A Comfortable Interior for Family Gatherings

As soon as we walked in, the warm, tidy wood-toned interior stood out. Traditional lattice-pattern ceiling lights added the refined feel of a Korean set-menu restaurant. The place was quite large, with big tables for groups spaced comfortably across the roomy dining hall. There was plenty of space between tables, so it looked ideal for a relaxed family meal, a group gathering, or a company dinner. Looking around, most diners were families with young children like us, or people bringing their older parents for a neat lunch near Hwajeong Station. I really loved the pleasant atmosphere where anyone, young or old, could feel at ease.

A Full Table of Seasonal Grilled Fish and Charcoal-Grilled Bulgogi

The signboard at the entrance listed the fish available that day. They say they carefully select the seasonal fish that tastes best at that time of year.

We ordered the charcoal-grilled bulgogi and seasonal grilled fish set for two. One large sotbap (stone-pot rice) comes with an order for two, but we added a bowl of steamed rice and drinks so we could share generously with the baby.

The main dishes included four generous kinds of fish—large cod collars, two flounders, including one with a spicy seasoned sauce, and wild-caught bottom cod—along with charcoal-grilled bulgogi full of smoky aroma. Fish grilled by a master really was different. The outside was golden and crisp, while the flesh inside was incredibly moist and tender, locking in all the juices. I picked out the substantial, mild flesh with not a trace of fishiness and placed it over the hot sotbap. Even the baby, who had been coughing and refusing rice, opened wide and finished a whole bowl in no time.

The charcoal-grilled bulgogi, coated in a sweet-savory sauce with a bold smoky flavor, also paired beautifully with the fish.

A Self-Serve Bar You Can Use Freely

Another delight here is the self-serve bar stocked with a variety of banchan (Korean side dishes). You can take plenty without feeling self-conscious, and everything from japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) to fresh seasoned vegetable dishes was mild and neatly prepared. Our child, who usually loves vegetables, ate very well too thanks to the clean, lightly seasoned flavors. It was a hearty lunch near Hwajeong Station with quality that rivaled many Korean set-menu restaurants.

The flavors and generous spread lived up to the commendation for Korean cuisine displayed in the restaurant.

Final Thoughts on Lunch Near Hwajeong Station with a Child

Min Cook Apbadang Seongsa (민쿡앞바당 성사) was an excellent restaurant where fresh seasonal fish is grilled to perfection with a master's skill, making it easy for diners of all ages to enjoy.

• The essence of crisp-outside, moist-inside grilled fish: Four generous kinds of seasonal fish, grilled moist and without any fishiness through a master's know-how.
• Comfort designed for family gatherings: Spacious tables, convenient parking, and a self-serve bar with mild, neatly prepared side dishes.
• A full meal that delivers on both flavor and health: A satisfying spread of smoky charcoal-grilled bulgogi and sotbap.

If you are looking for a healthy, filling lunch near Hwajeong Station that will instantly bring back an appetite lost during the changing seasons, I highly recommend it—so much that I definitely want to return next time with my parents!