Hapjeong Thai restaurant, leng saap and Chang beer: Saeng Augustine

My friend and I wanted to try something different in Hapjeong, so we headed to Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch. She'd wanted to come here for a while since it's apparently famous for being delicious haha

Where is Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch, and what are its hours?

Exterior of Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch

📍 Location: B1118, B1F Mecenatpolis, 45 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

• Weekdays 11:30 - 22:00
• Break time 15:00 - 17:00
• Last order 21:20
• Weekends 11:30 - 22:00 / Last order 21:20

Check the reservation link if you need one ☺️

Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch is inside Mecenatpolis, directly connected to Hapjeong Station, so it's easy to get to and doesn't matter what the weather's like — a solid pick among Hapjeong Station restaurants.

Inside Saeng Augustine: seating for 80 and private rooms

Menu board at Saeng Augustine

Inside the restaurant

The interior was decorated with brick and wood tones, giving it a warm yet exotic feel.

According to the restaurant, there are about 80 seats, plenty of room, plus rooms for 4, 6, and 12 people. It's a great space for family gatherings, dates in Hapjeong, and even company dinners or bridal shower-style meetups haha

It's also a good spot if you're looking for a unique date course in Hapjeong.

The basic side dish is pickled radish.

You order through the tabletop kiosk. The leng saap's spice level can be adjusted.

Chang beer for 8,000 won: how it pairs with Thai food

Chang beer, ₩8,000 🌟Recommended drink🌟

The Chang beer arrived before the food did.

Pouring the cold beer into a glass really put me in the mood for Thai food. Chang beer went really well with both the sour, spicy leng saap broth and the rich, savory nasi goreng.

Both the leng saap and nasi goreng had really strong flavors, so a cold sip in between cleaned up the palate nicely haha. If you like a clean beer, I recommend it. Personally, big recommend!!

Nasi goreng for 16,000 won, a seafood-packed fried rice

Nasi goreng, ₩16,000

The first dish to arrive was the nasi goreng. A glossy plate of fried rice topped with a fried egg and crispy toppings, served in a generous portion.

My sweet friend scooped some onto my plate first. Just looking at it, you could tell how rich the seasoning and how savory the fried rice would be.

The moment I took a bite, the umami hit hard. The seasoning was evenly mixed through the rice, salty with a hint of sweetness, and never bland — I kept going back for more.

Mixing the soft egg yolk into the fried rice made the rich flavor even smoother.

There wasn't just shrimp — squid and mussels were mixed in too, so the seafood portion felt really generous.

Leng saap for 36,000 won: pulling the pork bones apart by hand

The leng saap I'd only seen on Instagram finally showed up!! Once it arrived, the table was seriously packed.

Leng saap, ₩36,000 🌟Highly recommended🌟

Huge pork bones piled up like a mountain, topped generously with cilantro and finely chopped chili — it grabbed my attention the second it hit the table.

It was way bigger in person than in photos — I was surprised the moment it arrived.

Leng saap is a Thai dish where big bones and meat sit in a sour broth.

It came with a stove on the table so it stays warm while you eat, which I liked. Two whole portions came out, so my friend and I each took one 🤣

With the plastic gloves provided, we pulled the meat off the bones by hand. The meat wasn't tough at all — really tender, it separated along the grain with just a gentle tug.

There was more edible meat around the bones than I expected, so picking it apart piece by piece was actually fun.

What does the leng saap broth at Saeng Augustine taste like?

Unlike a typical meat broth, the leng saap broth had a distinctly sour kick.

At first the combination might feel unfamiliar, but the more you eat, the more the sourness and the rich umami of the meat come together, and you just keep spooning it up.

After pulling off the meat and pouring the warm broth over it, the dish felt even juicier and more flavorful. The sour broth soaked into the mild meat, sharpening the flavor, and it paired great with the Chang beer haha

The meat was juicy and tender, like it had been slow-cooked for a long time.

It shredded easily along the grain without being dry, and the meat itself was mild, so it balanced perfectly with the sour, spicy broth.

If you come to Saeng Augustine, you have to order the leng saap — no question.

If you're craving something different in Thai food, with tender meat piled high in leng saap and a nasi goreng loaded with seafood, check out Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch, a favorite among Hapjeong Station restaurants :)