Gangseo Korean restaurant with refillable side dishes: Mikodam

When eating out with family, everyone has different tastes, so deciding where to go can be tricky. This time, I was looking for a Korean restaurant in Magok where everyone from the kids to my parents could enjoy a meal, and I visited Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch (미꼬담 마곡발산점).

We could enjoy a range of Korean dishes at once, and everything was neat and well prepared, so the whole family had a relaxed meal together for the first time in a while.

Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch: location and parking

It is at Unit 2, 1st floor, 42 Gangseo-ro 54-gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, and is open from 11:00 to 22:00. It is near Balsan Station, making it easy to find, and free parking made it especially convenient to visit by car with children.

Parking is surprisingly important for family meals, so it was nice to visit without worrying about it.

A neat, calm setting for family meals

Inside, the restaurant had an overall neat and calm atmosphere.

There was plenty of space between tables, making it nice to sit and talk over a meal with family. There were also separate private rooms, which looked suitable for a family gathering or birthday meal when you want to dine a little more comfortably.

The overall tidy atmosphere also made it easy to bring my parents along.

A generous table set for three

I visited with my family and ordered the 3-person serving. A variety of dishes filled the table, so it felt generous from the start. Along with seaweed soup, there was a cockle dish, beef jeon (pan-fried battered beef), grilled mackerel, and several basic side dishes, which was great for trying a little of everything.

For a family meal, I especially liked a spread like this where we could share lots of different dishes rather than just one or two.

Neatly prepared side dishes, with refills too

Even the basic side dishes were neatly prepared.

There were several dishes that went well with rice, including seasoned vegetables, japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), and spicy pork. The seasoning was not overly strong overall. Best of all, side-dish refills were available, so we could comfortably have more of anything that ran short.

When we asked for refills, the staff brought them right away and were kind, which made the meal even more pleasant.

Dishes the whole family enjoyed

Mikodam's seaweed soup was delicious, just as you would expect from a signature dish. The abalone seaweed soup had a deep yet clean broth, with the mild flavor of abalone making it satisfying.

It was not strongly seasoned, so it was good to share with children. The beef jeon was tender and savory, and even better with the dressed chives.

The seasoned cockles had a sweet-and-tangy sauce with crisp vegetables that whetted the appetite, and they went really well with warm rice.

The grilled mackerel was mild rather than salty, so the children could eat it easily, and my parents enjoyed it too.

Happy with the friendly service, too

The food was delicious, but I also appreciated how kindly the staff looked after us.

They promptly brought our side-dish refills and thoughtfully checked whether we needed anything, so my family could enjoy a comfortable meal.

Why it was a satisfying family meal in Magok

Mikodam, which I visited this time, was a satisfying Korean restaurant in Magok for a family meal. The 3-person serving let us enjoy a generous variety of dishes, while the side dishes were neat and tasty, so everyone in the family ate well.

With convenient parking, a clean dining room, and food that was not overly seasoned, it was also a good place to visit with children. There were plenty of dishes for everyone from parents to kids, and the staff were kind, so I would recommend this Magok Korean restaurant to anyone looking for a family meal spot.