Hapjeong Thai: first Leng Saeb, too big for two, Saeng Augustine

Why we picked Saeng Augustine for a weekend date in Hapjeong

Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch (생어거스틴 합정점) is a Thai and Southeast Asian restaurant on B1 of Mecenatpolis in Hapjeong, and I went last weekend with a friend. The weather was great and I wanted a change of pace, so we headed to Hapjeong for a date!

It's been 10 years since I last came to Mecenatpolis in Hapjeong..!!! Hapjeong is such a hot area that there's always something to eat and see, but this time I wanted to try proper Thai food, so we visited Saint AUGUSTIN Hapjeong Branch, a place I'd wanted to try for a while.

How to get to Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch

The restaurant is on B1 of Mecenatpolis, connected between Exits 9 and 10 of Hapjeong Station, so it's very easy to reach by public transport. I loved the location right away. It sits at the entrance of the "delicious street," so it's easy to find.

There was also a beer event when we went! You can get Stella draft or bottled beer at a discount, so it would be great for a company dinner or drinks with friends later. There are private rooms too, so it's ideal for group gatherings. 👍

Inside Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch, and parking

The interior is very upscale and spacious, so a good first impression! With private rooms available, I'd strongly recommend it for a Hapjeong Station group dinner, a family gathering, or a Hapjeong date like ours. The big plus was the 3 hours 30 minutes of free parking! If you're coming by car, you can relax and enjoy your meal without worry.

Ordering Leng Saeb and king prawn pad thai

You order easily with the tablet on the table. When I opened the menu, it was packed with dishes from all over Southeast Asia and I almost couldn't decide, but my friend suggested we try Leng Saeb (랭쌥, Thai pork back-rib soup), haha. I'd never had it, so I was half excited, half nervous🥹 I always order Phu Phat Pong curry (stir-fried crab curry), so Leng Saeb was a first!

How does Saeng Augustine's signature king prawn pad thai taste?

The other dish we ordered with the Leng Saeb was Saeng Augustine's signature king prawn pad thai~!! If you come to Saeng Augustine, you have to eat the king prawn pad thai.

The sweet-salty flavor, crunchy bean sprouts and plump king prawns did not disappoint, as expected. Fried tofu and peanuts in every bite made it even nuttier and more satisfying!

What is Leng Saeb, and how did it taste?

Leng Saeb is a spicy Thai night-market dish of pork back ribs with a sweet-and-sour sauce and plenty of Thai chilies and cheongyang chilies (hot Korean green chilies).🔥 And here it finally comes!!!🥹 The sight of it was overwhelming, and my friend and I both stared wide-eyed. Some of you may not know Leng Saeb yet.

The ribs here are so big, almost twice the size of the bones at a typical bone hangover soup (ppyeo haejangguk) place, wow. The amount of meat was enormous too, and I started worrying whether we could finish it.

Is the Leng Saeb broth okay if you're sensitive to spices?

The first sip of the broth was really sour. And the most important part~~ the lemon flavor is strong, yet it isn't too fragrant or intense like tom yum, which I'm not a fan of. So even people sensitive to spices can enjoy it without it being hit or miss.

When you order Leng Saeb, they give you plastic gloves, and we picked up the bones and gnawed on them. The meat came off tender and easy, and pulling it off the bone was so much fun, haha.

Eating the sour, meat-packed Leng Saeb together with the sweet-salty king prawn pad thai was a great combination!! The flavors balanced perfectly and we kept reaching for more.

How many people should share Leng Saeb?

Leng Saeb here is a bit much for two; I think it's the right amount for three women. But.. the amount of meat was so enormous that we couldn't finish it..ㅠㅠ Even now I'm so disappointed🥲 Next time I'll go on a much emptier stomach and finish the whole thing!

A honey tip for getting a Saeng Augustine discount

If you add Saeng Augustine as a KakaoTalk Plus Friend, you get coupons from time to time, including a 40% discount coupon, haha 🍯

Thanks to Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch, I got to taste the amazing combination of a huge Leng Saeb and king prawn pad thai, and it was a really satisfying weekend! If you're looking for a Hapjeong Station lunch or date spot, especially if you like Thai food such as Phu Phat Pong curry or tom yum, definitely give it a visit❣️