Hapjeong Thai lunch at an old haunt, pickle refills: Saeng Augustine

I used to work near Hapjeong and came here all the time. It's the first place that comes to mind when I think of Thai food. This time I went to Saeng Augustine, a great lunch spot by Hapjeong Station. Come to think of it, I had never been with my favorite friend, so I took them along, and sure enough, they enjoyed it a lot too ^^

How do you get to Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch?

Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch (생어거스틴 합정점) is on the B1 level of Mesa Napolis, 45 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, a 3-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 9. It is open daily 11:30–22:00 with last order at 21:20, and there is no break time on weekends and public holidays. Group seating, takeout, delivery and parking are all available.

Come out of Hapjeong Station Exit 9, go down the stairs right in front of Mesa Napolis, and walk a little further and you'll reach a spot like this. From here, pass the Starbucks,

and when you see the food street, Saeng Augustine, great for lunch, is right in front of it. They give you 3.5 hours of parking, so feel free to drive.

I arrived a little before opening, but they were already open and perfectly set up.

What Thai food does Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch serve?

Saeng Augustine is a Thai specialty restaurant packed with delicious, exotic meals and drinking snacks: pu phat phong curry (stir-fried crab curry), rice noodles, nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice), king prawn pad thai, tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), chili sea bass, somtam (green papaya salad), pad kaprao moo sap (basil stir-fry with minced pork), curry and leng saeb (spicy pork rib soup), Thai chili seafood stir-fry, and nua pad nam man hoi (beef stir-fried in oyster sauce).

It was before opening time, yet quite a few customers were already inside.

What is the atmosphere and seating like at Mesa Napolis Saeng Augustine?

The hall seats 80 in total, and it's spacious, upscale and pleasant. The tables are spread well apart, so it feels private overall.

Three sides are floor-to-ceiling windows and the ceilings are high, so the view is wide open. Warm brick and lighting make it feel cozy. It's a great choice for company dinners, family gatherings or dates!!

Props placed here and there give you plenty to look at.

Are there private rooms?

The restaurant also has rooms for 4, 6 and 12 people, so you can enjoy a cozy meal in a separate space.

How to order and the review event

Every table has an ordering device, so ordering is easy, and they give you spring rolls for a Google review, so definitely do it!! They say they cook around 60 Thai and Asian dishes loved by all ages fresh every day, so you can eat them in a fresh state.

There are also good-value set menus and drinks.

What we ordered for lunch, and the prices

• Nasi goreng ₩16,000
• King prawn pad thai ₩19,000

I ordered my usual king prawn pad thai, of course!! My friend ordered nasi goreng, a spicy, salty Indonesian fried rice ^^

Both dishes are generous in portion and beautifully plated ^^

How does the king prawn pad thai taste?

The king prawn pad thai (₩19,000) is a sweet-and-salty Thai stir-fried noodle dish with strong umami, and it's number one in my heart. Let's start with the king prawn pad thai.

It's Thailand's signature stir-fried noodle dish. The first taste is sweet and soft, and right after comes the fruity, tangy zing of tamarind sauce along with the deep umami and saltiness of fish sauce.

It's sweet and salty with amazing umami, and I love it as it is, but if you squeeze lemon juice over it and mix in plenty of bean sprouts, garlic chives, chili powder and crushed peanuts, the texture and flavor of one bowl are pure art.

There are four big shrimp inside, and a king prawn on top too, so it looks fantastic!!

The heat of the chili powder and the nuttiness of the peanuts join the chewy noodles, and the fresh scent of the lemon makes the whole dish brighter and lighter. Still my number one!!

How does the nasi goreng taste?

The nasi goreng (₩16,000) is Indonesian-style fried rice topped with seafood and a soft-boiled egg, with a rich sweet-salty sauce and a sharp kick of spice. Nasi goreng, Indonesia's signature fried rice, is somehow familiar yet exotic, with a deep, rich flavor.

It's full of seafood and topped with a soft-boiled egg, so it's nutritious too!! Mix it all together and the richness of the yolk gently wraps the sweet-salty sauce, making it even nuttier and smoother.

Once you take a spoonful of rice, a heavy, caramel-like sweetness, much thicker and richer than regular soy sauce, spreads through your mouth. Then comes the saltiness, along with a deep, weighty umami of the sea, a bold flavor.

A subtle heat and a clean, sharp spiciness that cuts through the oiliness, plus a pungent, nutty flavor coated on every grain of rice. The depth of flavor was excellent.

Can you get a refill of the radish pickles?

I got a refill of the radish pickles (mu-pickle) served on the side. They're so refreshing and go so well with the meals that I refilled them and finished them in no time ^^

Why I recommend Saeng Augustine for a Mesa Napolis lunch

This Thai restaurant near Hapjeong Station is in Mesa Napolis and is well known as a spot for office company dinners and lunches. The food is savory and delicious overall, and it also pairs well with a variety of alcohol.

Taste is a given, and with the upscale interior, convenient parking and friendly service, it's a great place, so I recommend it for a Mesa Napolis lunch ^^