Euljiro snack bar: springy fish cake skewers to go, Hyeonseoni-ne

On my way back from running errands in Euljiro, I suddenly craved tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), so I stopped by Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch (현선이네 청계즉석점) for the first time in a while.

I remember cooking instant tteokbokki myself at the Hyeonseoni-ne Yongsan main branch, but this time I wanted to eat comfortably at home, so I ordered takeout. It's a snack bar that Euljiro office workers have loved for a long time, so my expectations were high.

Where is Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch in Euljiro?

Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch is a retro-style snack bar a 1-minute walk from Exit 3 of Euljiro 1-ga Station. It's close to Cheonggyecheon stream, so it's easy to reach, and it's known for instant tteokbokki and the Hyeonseoni Combo Set.

You get a generous spread of Korean snack food at a friendly price, so it's popular for lunch, small after-work get-togethers and takeout, a go-to tteokbokki spot in Euljiro.

Old-school vibe at Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch

The place isn't flashy or stylish. It has the homey feel of a snack bar loved for many years. I liked the tidy interior and relaxed mood, and the customers were a mix of solo diners and coworkers eating together.

It keeps its old-school charm but is kept clean overall, so it's easy to drop in without any hesitation.

Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch menu and prices

The signature Hyeonseoni Combo Set is ₩25,000, and instant tteokbokki is ₩22,000 for two people. I've written out the menu board below.

Set menus

• Hyeonseoni Combo Set ₩25,000: tteokbokki + sundae (Korean blood sausage) + fritters + gimbap (seaweed rice roll) + fish cake
• Hyeonseoni Set ₩23,000: tteokbokki + sundae + fritters + gimbap
• Sunny Set ₩18,000: tteokbokki + fritters + sundae
• Hyeonseoni Beer Set ₩32,000: tteokbokki + sundae + fritters + gimbap + 2 draft beers
• Hyeonseoni Baby Set ₩13,000: 1/2 tteokbokki + 1/2 sundae + 3 fritters + 2 gimbap

Instant tteokbokki menu

• Instant tteokbokki (for 2) ₩22,000: rice cakes + fish cake + jjolmyeon (chewy noodles) + vegetables + yakimandu (fried dumplings) + egg
• Extra add-ons, drinks and alcohol

À la carte menu

• Tteokbokki ₩6,000
• Assorted fritters ₩6,000
• Handmade sundae ₩6,500
• Mini gimbap ₩5,000
• Busan special fish cake ₩1,500
• Busan long fish cake ₩1,000
• Ramyeon ₩4,500
• Spicy ramyeon ₩5,000
• Cheese ramyeon ₩5,500
• Tuna mayo rice ball ₩6,000

What comes in the Hyeonseoni Combo Set to go?

I ordered the Hyeonseoni Combo Set. It bundles tteokbokki, sundae, fritters, gimbap and fish cake, so you can enjoy lots of snack foods at once. It's Hyeonseoni-ne's signature menu.

Tteokbokki: sweet and spicy, not too hot

When I got home, I tried the tteokbokki first. The sweet-spicy sauce had soaked well into the rice cakes, and the sauce was fairly rich. It wasn't too spicy, so it was easy to eat, and the balance of sweet and spicy kept me reaching for more.

The rice cakes kept their chewy texture too, so you really get the charm of snack bar tteokbokki.

Fritters: still crisp after takeout

The fritters in the combo set stayed somewhat crisp even as takeout. They were tasty on their own, but dipping them lightly in the tteokbokki sauce is when the real snack bar feeling kicks in. Savory fritters with sweet-spicy sauce is a combo that never disappoints.

Sundae: chewy with no gamey smell

The sundae was clean with no off smell, and the texture was chewy. Dipped in the tteokbokki sauce it was even better, and the portion was generous, so I was happy.

Gimbap: classic mini rolls

The gimbap in the combo set is a basic mini gimbap style that goes well with tteokbokki. It's just right for eating with the sauce.

Fish cake skewers: the best item in the combo

Personally, the fish cake skewers were what I liked best in the combo set. They were much chewier and springier than ordinary fish cake, which I loved.

The warm fish cake broth that came with them softened the spiciness of the tteokbokki, and the pairing was really good. I'd definitely order extra next time.

Cheonggye takeout vs. the Yongsan main branch's instant tteokbokki

At the Yongsan main branch, the fun was cooking the instant tteokbokki myself, but at Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch, even takeout was enough to enjoy what makes Hyeonseoni-ne special. The combo set especially, with tteokbokki, sundae, fritters, gimbap and fish cake all at once, was very satisfying and made a hearty meal.

If you're looking for a good snack bar or a retro-style tteokbokki spot in Euljiro, I recommend Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch. Even as takeout, the flavor and generous portions came through, so it was a satisfying visit.

🌶️ A snack bar loved by Euljiro office workers for ages. With the Hyeonseoni Combo Set, I enjoyed a hearty, tasty snack meal at home. 🍢🥢✨