Mini agu-jjim with 5,000-won clam soup in Cheongna: Haemul Teukbyeolsi

I went to Haemul Teukbyeolsi Cheongna Direct Branch for agu-jjim (spicy braised monkfish), one of the best-known dishes in Cheongna, Incheon. Their lunch special is great value. I'd been once before with my parents, and this time went with my partner.

📍 23 Cheongnaemerald-ro 41beon-gil, 1F, Seo-gu, Incheon, South Korea

Haemul Teukbyeolsi Cheongna Direct Branch: hours and parking

• ⏰ 11:30–22:00 (last order 21:00)
• Closed Thursdays
• Group seating, takeout, delivery, reservations, Wi-Fi, separate restrooms

There's parking right in front of the restaurant, which is convenient. Inside it's spacious and clean, and there's even a private room — perfect for company dinners or family gatherings. Staff greeted us and showed us to our table as soon as we walked in.

Reserve for free fried shrimp, plus the review event

We had booked through Naver, so our table was already set when we arrived. You can order easily through the tablet at the table.

They give you a free fried shrimp 🍤 per person for reserved visits, so it's definitely worth booking ahead.

For the review event, you can get:

• ₩1,000 off fried monkfish
• A drink
• Various discounted dishes

and more — worth checking out.

Vinegar-gochujang and soy sauce are already set on the table, so you can mix your dipping sauce while you wait.

The basic side dishes were four kinds — white kimchi, green onion kimchi, pickles, and pickled peppers — which paired well with the agu-jjim. The crisp white kimchi went especially nicely with the spicy monkfish.

Mini agu-jjim + mini clam soup + half plate fried monkfish

The mini clam soup is a 5,000-won add-on

You can add a mini clam soup to the mini agu-jjim for an extra 5,000 won. I thought it would pair well with the agu-jjim, so I ordered it.

It had scallops and mussels, topped with chopped green onion and chili, and the seafood broth was refreshing and delicious. The clams were tender, and there was a decent amount even for a mini portion.

Half plate of fried monkfish, plenty for two

We ordered the fried monkfish as a half plate, and it was plenty for two people. The crispy fried monkfish arrived with that irresistible fried aroma, looking really appetizing.

It came with two sauces, chili and tartar. The monkfish meat was tender and delicious, while the batter was crispy — great texture and flavor. I can see why the fried monkfish is so popular.

Mini agu-jjim: how much two people actually finished

Even though it's called "mini," the agu-jjim at Haemul Teukbyeolsi Cheongna Direct Branch was plenty for two people. You can also adjust the spice level — we went with regular.

It was packed full of minari (water dropwort), mideodeok (sea squirt), roe, monkfish, and bean sprouts. The portion was so large that even between the two of us, we had leftovers. The sauce was pleasantly spicy with good depth of flavor, and it was great with rice. Apparently it's also delicious wrapped in flat dumplings, so I'm planning to try that next time. Fried rice was also available, but we were too full to order it. Even just with rice, it was really tasty.

That was my visit to Haemul Teukbyeolsi for agu-jjim, one of the best restaurants in Incheon for it. They have a wide menu, a great-value lunch special, and various events worth taking advantage of.