Euljiro 1-ga lunch spot for plump fish cake tteokbokki: Hyeonseoni-ne

I was trying to figure out what to eat for lunch near the office when I suddenly craved instant tteokbokki, so I headed to Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch! Hyeonseoni-ne is originally known for its tteokbokki, so the name was familiar, but this Cheonggye Instant Branch turned out to be a spot where you cook instant tteokbokki yourself right at the table. These days you don't see as many places doing this style as you used to, so eating it again after a while felt extra nice haha. This time I went with a friend and we ordered instant tteokbokki for two.

What is Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch, the snack bar near Euljiro 1-ga Station?

When I think of Hyeonseoni-ne, I first picture the red-broth tteokbokki that's ready to eat right away,

but Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch is, as the name says, a place centered on instant tteokbokki. Pre-made tteokbokki tastes great too, but personally I love the bubbling, simmer-it-yourself vibe that's unique to the instant version!

It starts out with plenty of broth, but as you keep simmering it at the table, the seasoning gets deeper and deeper — that's part of the charm of instant tteokbokki. It's especially nice with a group, gathering around one pot in the middle, so it felt like an easy, unfussy lunch option too.

There are so many office workers around Cheonggyecheon that everyone's always agonizing over what to eat for lunch. When you're a little tired of the usual jjigae, baekban, or gukbap every day, switching things up with a snack bar meal like this was a nice change.

Instant tteokbokki for two and plump fish cake at Hyeonseoni-ne

What we ordered was instant tteokbokki for two! Since it's cooked yourself at the table, it doesn't come ready to eat immediately — we waited for it to start bubbling.

With instant tteokbokki, even the waiting is kind of fun haha.

While waiting, we also ordered fish cake and dug in — it was plumper and tastier than at other places.

At first it looks like there's a lot of broth, but as it keeps simmering, the broth reduces and the seasoning gets more and more intense. Personally, I think it's tastiest once it's reduced down and the sauce has really soaked into the rice cakes. Being able to keep it simmering and warm the whole time was also a plus, since it never went cold,

and fishing out the rice cakes one by one, I kept going back for more! Regular tteokbokki comes already finished, so the flavor stays pretty much the same from start to finish,

but with instant tteokbokki, the broth's thickness changes depending on how long you simmer it, so it gets more intense the more you eat — that's part of the fun. Ordering two servings between the two of us was plenty for a lunch, and honestly, eating instant tteokbokki again after so long brought back memories of eating tteokbokki with friends in front of school haha.

Is Hyeonseoni-ne a good office lunch near Cheonggyecheon?

Working around Cheonggyecheon or Jonggak, there are countless lunch spots, but figuring out what to eat every single day is honestly the hardest part. If tteokbokki cravings hit once in a while, Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch is worth adding to the lunch list!

It'll especially suit you if you prefer properly simmered instant tteokbokki over the quick, simple version at a regular snack bar. Ordering instant tteokbokki for two and simmering it away together felt like a different kind of lunch from usual. It's more of a menu to enjoy with a coworker or friend over one shared pot than to rush through alone.

The instant tteokbokki at Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch tasted even better since it had been a while! I loved being able to properly enjoy the flavor that's unique to instant tteokbokki — plenty of broth at first, then deeper seasoning and sauce soaking into the rice cakes the longer it simmers.

Best of all, constantly simmering it at the table means it stays warm right to the end! If you're near Cheonggyecheon and craving something other than rice for lunch today, or want to share instant tteokbokki with a friend or coworker, this place is worth a visit.

If you're visiting as a pair like we did, ordering instant tteokbokki for two makes for a satisfying meal :) Next time I'd like to order a few more dishes and make it a bit more of a feast! Recommended as a solid snack bar near Euljiro-ip-gu Station.