# Balsan Station Korean restaurant, clam seaweed soup set for two - By Mirae J. (https://superchart.com/en/@shared-plate-hours/) - Written Sep 21, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gangseo, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written after a sponsored visit to the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@shared-plate-hours/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@shared-plate-hours/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/index.md) ## In short Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch is a private-room Korean set-menu restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, a short walk from Balsan Station. Over lunch with friends, the writer ordered the set for two — seaweed soup, cockle salad, beef jeon and grilled fish — comparing beef seaweed soup with clam seaweed soup and choosing the cockles vinegared, while pork stir-fry, japchae and more arrived as basic side dishes. The spread felt like a holiday table, and Mikodam went straight onto the list for a family meal with parents next time. ## Good to know - **Menu ordered**: Set for two with seaweed soup, cockle salad, beef jeon and grilled fish - **Seaweed soup**: Beef seaweed soup and clam seaweed soup, made with Wando seaweed - **Cockle salad**: Choice of vinegared or soy-seasoned; vinegared on this visit - **Basic side dishes**: Pork stir-fry, japchae, jellyfish salad, three-color namul, geotjeori (fresh kimchi), jangajji (pickles), grilled seaweed, salad - **Seating**: Private rooms in a range of sizes, with spacious table layouts - **Getting there & parking**: Walkable from Balsan Station; parking tower right next to the restaurant *as written by the visitor on Sep 21, 2026* ![Full table spread at Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-01-sgq5w-1200.webp) Good restaurant, Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch ## Why Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch for lunch with friends? I had lunch plans with friends who love Korean food, and while deciding where to go, I wanted a proper full Korean spread this time, so I went to Mikodam Balsan Branch~ ![Korean table setting at Mikodam Balsan Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-02-1qf0y-900.webp) When eating out, there's fun in trying different kinds of menus, but as I've been thinking more about health, Korean food with rice, soup, and side dishes together really does feel better for you and easier on the stomach. ## Walking from Balsan Station, with a parking tower next door Mikodam is close enough to walk from Balsan Station, so it's convenient to visit by public transit, and if you drive, there's a parking tower right next to the restaurant, so accessibility is good either way. ![Entrance to the parking tower next to Mikodam](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-03-1e8u3-900.webp) When you look for restaurants with easy parking, surprisingly few live up to expectations, so having a generous parking lot that takes the parking worry off the table during a meal was a big plus. ## Inside Mikodam: atmosphere and private rooms ![Interior of Mikodam with spacious seating layout](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-04-bdoow-900.webp) Mikodam has a calm, tidy atmosphere, with a spacious and relaxed seating layout, and what stood out was the range of room sizes available. Finding a room-style restaurant for family gatherings or larger groups isn't as easy as you'd think when you actually go looking. ![Private room seating at Mikodam Balsan Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-05-1qowp-900.webp) It was nice having a private space where you can enjoy the kind of Korean menu parents love, and chat comfortably and intimately without worrying about neighboring tables. ## The set for two: seaweed soup, cockle salad, beef jeon, grilled fish What we ordered that day was the set for two, letting us enjoy a hearty spread of seaweed soup, cockle salad, beef jeon, and grilled fish all at once. ![Mikodam set-for-two full table spread](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-06-1hme6-900.webp) ### Beef seaweed soup vs clam seaweed soup at Mikodam We started with the seaweed soup — arguably Mikodam's signature dish — and maybe because it's made with premium Wando seaweed, the seaweed was soft and the broth had a subtle savory depth. ![Mikodam seaweed soup made with Wando seaweed](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-07-1wvvx-900.webp) The seaweed soup with beef had a nutty, deep flavor, while the cockle seaweed soup had the refreshing taste of seafood, so it was fun comparing the two as we ate. ![Two bowls of beef and cockle seaweed soup](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-08-gdm30-900.webp) Maybe because I personally love seaweed soup, I feel like I could finish a whole bowl of rice with just this soup alone!! ### Cockles, vinegared rather than soy-seasoned The cockle salad comes as a choice between vinegared and soy-seasoned, and this time I went with the tangy vinegared cockles to wake up the appetite. ![Tangy vinegared cockle salad](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-09-pkb2z-900.webp) Piling the sweet-and-tangy vinegared cockles onto rice and mixing it all together instantly perked up the appetite!!! ![A spoonful of vinegared cockle salad on rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-10-1a5bu-900.webp) The chewy texture of the cockles paired so well with the seasoning and fluffy rice, it was basically a rice thief. Having a mild dish like seaweed soup alongside a tangy one like the cockle salad meant the flavors complemented each other really well too. ![Mikodam beef jeon topped with chive salad](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-11-u028b-900.webp) ### Beef jeon and grilled mackerel The freshly pan-fried beef jeon (Korean beef pancake) also exceeded expectations — it's the kind of dish that takes a lot of effort at home, so we don't make it often, but topping the warm jeon with crunchy chive salad cut through the richness and took the flavor up a notch, giving us a treat that's hard to enjoy at home haha. At home, grilling fish means worrying about the smell and the cleanup afterward, so I don't end up eating it as often as I'd like, but lately I'd been craving a nicely grilled fish. ![Moist grilled mackerel](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-12-y7kwn-900.webp) Taking a big, moist, nutty bite of the mackerel with rice was really satisfying haha. From the seaweed soup to the cockle salad, beef jeon, and grilled mackerel, each dish had its own distinct charm, making it a great spread for a group with different tastes to pick from. ![Table set with mains and side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-13-gz0t9-900.webp) ## Side dishes that include pork stir-fry and japchae This Korean restaurant near Balsan Station was thoughtful down to the basic side dishes, not just the main menu. ![Pork stir-fry served as a basic side dish](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-14-1xt4l-900.webp) ![Japchae served as a basic side dish](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-15-nv3wg-900.webp) Dishes like pork stir-fry and japchae, which take real effort to make as side dishes at home, came out as basic sides, making the table feel like we'd added a whole extra course. ![Jellyfish salad and other Mikodam basic side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-16-ghnpy-900.webp) ![Plate of three-color namul side dish](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-17-swyrs-900.webp) ![Geotjeori and jangajji side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-18-1akb0-900.webp) ![Grilled seaweed and salad side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-19-13sri-900.webp) Jellyfish salad, three-color namul, geotjeori (fresh kimchi), jangajji (pickles), grilled seaweed, salad... each side dish was seasoned mildly rather than heavily, making the whole spread easy for people of any age to enjoy together. With so many side dishes laid out so generously, it felt as hearty as a holiday table, and we savored the leisurely conversation and good food ^^ ![A table as hearty as a holiday spread](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-20-1x0sf-900.webp) From the main dishes to the basic sides to the comfortable, tidy atmosphere of the restaurant, everything was satisfying, and my friends all agreed we'd really picked the right place today haha — everyone said we should come back with our parents for a family gathering next time haha. ## Is Mikodam good for family gatherings and company dinners? ![Mikodam room interior suited for family gatherings](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-21-us7if-900.webp) When there's a holiday or a birthday family gathering, it's surprisingly hard to find a clean Korean restaurant with rooms, but here you can enjoy a tidy, dignified Korean table that elders and parents would love, ![Korean table set in a private room](https://img.superchart.com/images/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles-22-1t27f-900.webp) and with well-arranged private rooms where just your own family can eat quietly and comfortably, it seemed like an ideal gathering spot. With delicious food, tidy side dishes, and convenient parking all in the mix, it seems like a great choice not just for family gatherings but for company dinners too!! ## Where it is - Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch (미꼬담 마곡발산점) - 42 Gangseo-ro 54-gil, 1F, Unit 2, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 강서구 강서로54길 42 1층 2호 - 37.5588429, 126.8413261 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%AF%B8%EA%BC%AC%EB%8B%B4%20%EB%A7%88%EA%B3%A1%EB%B0%9C%EC%82%B0%EC%A0%90/@37.5588429,126.8413261,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@shared-plate-hours/balsan-korean-set-seaweed-soup-cockles/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt