Bupyeong seafood stew street, TV-featured 45,000-won pot: Donghae

A seafood stew loaded with everything, found on Bupyeong's seafood stew street 🦐 Octopus, abalone, blue crab, shrimp — this haemultang (seafood stew) came generously packed. The hall was spacious too, so it's worth keeping in mind for a family meal or a group gathering.

Where is Haemulmyeongga Donghae Haemultang, and when is it open?

• 108 Bupyeong-munhwa-ro, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon
• 527-24 Bupyeong-dong, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon
• 677m from Bupyeong Station Exit 7
• Daily 10:30–24:00 / last order 22:00

You know those days in Bupyeong when you want a spicy pot of soup with a few people gathered around it? That's exactly what I was craving, so I headed to Bupyeong's seafood stew street. The place I visited was Haemulmyeongga Donghae Haemultang.

A huge sign catches your eye from outside the shop, so it isn't hard to find even on a first visit. In fact, plenty of seafood stew restaurants cluster along this stretch of Bupyeong, so just the atmosphere of the street tells you what today's meal is going to be.

Parking and the size of the hall

Parking guidance was visible near the entrance of Haemulmyeongga Donghae Haemultang. Parking is always a bit of a concern when driving around in Bupyeong, so if you're planning to come by car, it's easier to check the parking info ahead of time.

Stepping inside, the hall was bigger than I expected. The tables are divided into several sections, and there are seats by the window too, so it looked good for anything from a family meal to a bigger group gathering.

What the small haemultang costs, and what else is on the menu

What we ordered was the haemultang (seafood stew), small size, ₩45,000.

Looking at the menu board, there was more than just haemultang — haemuljjim (braised seafood), monkfish stew, braised monkfish, blue crab stew, braised blue crab, live octopus, and more seafood dishes were all on offer. A lineup that makes you curious about other dishes even after coming for just one, haha.

There was also a board by the entrance introducing the restaurant's TV appearances. It listed features on KBS Saengsaeng Jeongbo, Live Today, and Live Tonight, among others. The actual board even showed details like KBS Saengsaeng Jeongbo episode 1978 from 2024 and actor Lee Yikyung after his military discharge. It gave off the vibe of a place that has been serving seafood dishes at this same spot for a long time.

What banchan comes before the stew?

Once we sat down, the banchan (side dishes) were set out first. We ordered a drink and waited, and a variety came out — shrimp, seasoned vegetables, corn salad, and cooling dishes like dongchimi (radish water kimchi).

What really caught my eye was the warm jeon (savory pancake) that came out. It was perfect for picking at a piece at a time before the haemultang arrived. It went well as a drinking snack too, so between picking at the jeon while waiting for the stew, it disappeared pretty quickly, haha. I liked that it gave us something light to whet our appetite before the main dish even showed up.

What seafood goes into the small haemultang

Finally, today's main event! Haemultang small, ₩45,000. The pot was piled high with seafood — octopus, squid, abalone, shrimp, shellfish, blue crab, and more, all visible at a glance. Even looking back at the photos, the pot looks pretty packed.

From octopus to abalone, blue crab and clams, all generously packed into one pot. Once the burner was turned on and it started bubbling, the aroma from the seafood rose up and completely changed the mood at the table.

The order to eat the seafood stew in

At first I wondered how to tackle so many ingredients, but as things cooked I pulled them out one by one, and comparing the textures of each type turned out to be fun. Octopus gets tough if you boil it too long, so it's best to fish it out early, while ingredients like clams and blue crab that add flavor to the broth are fine simmering a bit longer.

Once it started bubbling, the seafood aroma rose up and really got the appetite going. The broth was spicy with that clean, refreshing flavor that comes from seafood. In one pot you get the chewy texture of octopus, the springy bite of abalone, and the clean taste of shellfish, one after another, so my chopsticks kept moving. If you want to enjoy hot broth and a variety of seafood all at once in Bupyeong, Bupyeong's seafood stew street is worth remembering.

Is Donghae Haemultang good for a Bupyeong group or family dinner?

The haemultang I had that day packed octopus, abalone, blue crab, shrimp, and clams into one pot, making it a great dish for a group to sit around and eat slowly. With its spacious hall, wide range of seafood dishes, and history of TV appearances, it's a place worth considering when looking for a gathering spot in Bupyeong. If it's a Bupyeong company dinner or family meal with several people, having a wide range of menu choices is also worth keeping in mind.

If you're looking for a private room restaurant in Bupyeong or a private room for a company dinner, it might be worth asking beforehand whether they have a separate space. Next time, I'm planning to switch it up and try the haemuljjim or braised monkfish. From a pot piled high with seafood to a spicy broth, this was a good spot in Bupyeong for a warm, satisfying meal:)