Family seafood chicken hot pot in Gwacheon: Gwacheon Haesintang

This post was written after the restaurant provided the native chicken live octopus haesintang.

Still, I was so satisfied after the meal that I immediately thought I would like to return during Chuseok with my mother-in-law and parents. Separate from what was provided, I am sharing this mainly based on what I personally saw and ate.

If you are looking for somewhere in Gwacheon for a meal with your mother-in-law or parents, or for a family gathering, Gwacheon Haesintang Gwacheon Main Branch may be worth considering.

We had the native chicken live octopus haesintang for 3–4 people (₩200,000) with my mother-in-law. One whole native chicken, live octopus, abalone, scallops, and pen shell all arrived in one pot, and the table felt completely full.

What stayed with me most was seeing the live octopus and seafood in the cleanly maintained tank, then watching that very octopus go into the haesintang and cook.

How was it as a family gathering meal?

Gwacheon Haesintang Gwacheon Main Branch was a specialist in haesintang, a restorative hot pot of chicken and seafood, that worked well for a shared table among several people—whether for a family gathering, a meal with parents, or a wedding-invitation get-together.

The native chicken live octopus haesintang we had was a premium dish with one whole native chicken, a huge live octopus, abalone, scallops, and pen shell.

With house-made side dishes, soy sauce, and kimchi containing cordyceps added in, there was plenty of food. We had brought my mother-in-law, and I was even happier because the spread was generous but also easy to enjoy slowly while talking.

How close is it to Government Complex Gwacheon Station?

It was about a 4-minute walk from Government Complex Gwacheon Station, so it was convenient to visit by public transit.

It also seems like a good fit for anyone wanting a hearty meal after hiking or an outing around Gwanaksan, Cheonggyesan, or Seoul Grand Park.

Hours, parking support, and the Naver review event can change, so I recommend checking Naver Map or calling the restaurant before visiting.

The atmosphere: private rooms and a seafood tank

The restaurant was a comfortable size—not overly large, but not cramped either.

Besides the main dining hall, I could see around three private rooms. It felt like a place where rooms could be used for group reservations or family gatherings, making it nice for a meal with parents, a wedding-invitation gathering, or a company dinner where you want to talk over food.

Even while we ate, there were many families and guests dining with their parents. Haesintang is naturally a dish that several people ladle out and share, so it really did feel like putting out a special spread for an occasion.

And one of the most impressive parts of this place was the seafood tank.

The owner readily showed us the tank. It was kept very clean, and the live octopus and seafood immediately caught my eye. The fact that he did not hesitate to show it gave me a sense of confidence in the ingredients.

He even took out the live octopus to show us. Its movements were so clear that you could see its freshness, and we watched it swim again once it was put back in the water.

The native chicken live octopus haesintang we ordered

Gwacheon Haesintang had a wide range of haesintang combinations featuring live octopus or small octopus, and native chicken or black chicken.

We ordered the native chicken live octopus haesintang for 3–4 people (₩200,000) with my mother-in-law. With one whole native chicken, live octopus, scallops, abalone, and pen shell, it struck me as a good choice for a special day such as a family meal out or a meal with parents.

Seeing that my wife is heavily pregnant, the owner also brought her abalone and octopus nutritious stone-pot rice on the house. His warm attentiveness to his guests really stood out.

House-made side dishes and cordyceps kimchi

While the haesintang boiled, we tried the side dishes first. I heard that the side dishes and soy sauce were made in-house, and overall they let the ingredients come through rather than being overly salty or aggressively seasoned. I was especially interested to hear that the kimchi contained cordyceps. A spoonful of haesintang broth followed by kimchi or a side dish reset the palate nicely, so they paired well.

Cordyceps that deepened the haesintang

Cordyceps is a mushroom ingredient long used in nourishing foods and is known to contain compounds such as cordycepin and polysaccharides.

Here, the cordyceps felt like more than a garnish: it was added to the broth with the chicken and seafood, as if it helped balance the flavor. It was not strongly herbal or overwhelming; the broth finished cleanly with a subtle aroma. It naturally bridged the mild flavor of the native chicken and the refreshing flavor of seafood such as live octopus and abalone, and the broth seemed deeper the longer it simmered.

The yellow cordyceps also made the presentation look even more like a restorative meal.

The texture of native chicken and live octopus

As soon as the pot arrived, I was surprised first by the size of the native chicken. A whole chicken was in there, and the meat was chewy yet tender. It retained the characteristic springiness of native chicken without being dry, so it was easy to enjoy with my mother-in-law too.

The scallops, abalone, and pen shell tasted even cleaner when lightly dipped in chojang, a tangy red chili vinegar sauce. Every ingredient had a different texture, which made it fun to choose from the pot throughout the meal.

An enormously sized live octopus

Then the live octopus, the star of the day, appeared. The owner said it was around 1 kg, and the size I saw with my own eyes was truly enormous. The moment the octopus we had seen in the tank came up over the haesintang, my mother-in-law and all of us found ourselves staring only at it for a while.

The haesintang came out first, then the live octopus was added. While it cooked, the owner cut it into easy-to-eat pieces. At first I was startled by its size, but it became tender rather than tough as it cooked. The more I chewed, the more I noticed its springy texture and subtle sweetness. It was good on its own, and even better after a dip in the broth.

Broth that deepens the longer it simmers

I heard that the broth combines chicken stock with a stock infused from dried cordyceps ingredients. At first, the mild chicken broth came through most clearly, but as time passed the live octopus and seafood flavors joined in, making it more refreshing and deeper toward the end. The live octopus also became softer the longer it cooked, which made it easy to eat.

I was told they can add more broth if it runs low, so it seems comfortable to enjoy even with a larger group.

Naver Place review event: nakji tangtangi

At the time of our visit, we wrote a Naver Place review and received nakji tangtangi—chopped live octopus—worth about ₩20,000. The octopus was so lively and springy that it felt as though it could cling to the roof of your mouth and tongue. Sesame oil’s nuttiness spread first, followed by the octopus’s mild sweetness and pleasantly chewy texture. Review events may vary by period and conditions, so check with the restaurant or on Naver Place on the day you visit.

Cordyceps-infused liquor and nutritious stone-pot rice

We also sampled cordyceps-infused liquor as a complimentary item. It felt a little smoother than regular soju, with a subtle medicinal aroma at the finish. It also had a faint sweetness, and I think I understood a little better why my father’s generation likes infused liquor.

However, I was unable to confirm its exact alcohol content, and of course you should not drink it if you are pregnant or planning to drive.

The abalone and octopus nutritious stone-pot rice served to my wife on the house was freshly cooked, warm rice that paired especially well with the haesintang broth. With abalone, octopus, and cordyceps in it, the meal felt even more substantial, and I was grateful for the owner’s thoughtful care for my pregnant wife.

Overall thoughts and visiting tips

This was not memorable simply because the menu was generous. Seeing the live octopus and seafood firsthand in the cleanly maintained tank, watching the enormous octopus go into the haesintang, the house-made side dishes and soy sauce, and the kind service toward my pregnant wife all stayed with me as part of one meal.

The native chicken live octopus haesintang is a premium-priced menu, so I think satisfaction would be higher if you choose it for a meaningful occasion—such as a mother-in-law’s or parents’ birthday, a holiday meal, or a family gathering—rather than a quick solo meal. We are thinking of bringing my parents back during Chuseok.

• The native chicken live octopus haesintang is a large shared spread suited to 3–4 people, so decide on your party size and budget first.
• If you need a private room for a family gathering, wedding-invitation gathering, or group company dinner, check the number of guests and room availability before reserving.
• Recheck opening hours, break time, closing days, parking support, and the Naver review event before your visit.
• Avoid the cordyceps-infused liquor if you are pregnant or planning to drive.
• If visiting after activities around Gwanaksan, Cheonggyesan, or Seoul Grand Park, allow plenty of time for the meal and travel.

Frequently asked questions

Is it suitable for taking my mother-in-law or parents?

Yes. Since the menu is meant to be shared, with native chicken and seafood together, it suited a family meal well. There is a main hall and private rooms, so it is worth considering for a gathering; I recommend confirming private-room use in advance.

What signature dish did you have?

We had the native chicken live octopus haesintang for 3–4 people (₩200,000). It included one whole native chicken, live octopus, abalone, scallops, and pen shell.

Is the live octopus tough?

The live octopus we had became tender as it cooked, while retaining a springy texture and subtle sweetness.

Is it okay to visit with someone who is pregnant?

My wife ate the haesintang along with the abalone and octopus nutritious stone-pot rice. However, infused liquor contains alcohol and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Is the Naver review event still running?

At the time of our visit, we received nakji tangtangi after writing a review. Events can change, so check on the day you visit.