Gangnam Korean restaurant for perilla gamja jeongol: Haeseonok

The day I craved gamja jeongol in Yeoksam-dong

Wanting a warm soup dish near Seolleung, I visited Haeseonok Seolleung Branch. While looking into good places to eat in Yeoksam-dong, I found this spot serving a hearty gamja jeongol (potato and pork-bone hot pot) much like gamjatang. We ordered the small gamja jeongol and a bowl of rice. We added fried rice at the end, too, making for a seriously satisfying meal from the broth to the meat and rice.

Location and atmosphere between Seolleung Station and Yeoksam-dong

Haeseonok Seolleung Branch is about 597 m from Exit 5 of Seolleung Station. Once I turned into the alley, its large Haeseonok sign made it easy to find. Set between Seolleung Station and Yeoksam-dong, it seemed like a good lunch or dinner option for nearby office workers. It is in a handy spot when you are craving gamjatang or a spicy hot pot nearby.

Inside, the restaurant had wood-toned tables and brick-like walls. Each table had a burner, so we could keep the gamja jeongol hot as it cooked.

There were plenty of tables, including seating for groups. Everything was kept clean, and the space between tables did not feel overly cramped. Above all, the owner was kind from the start. They thoughtfully brought whatever we needed and made us feel comfortable throughout the meal, so I left in a great mood.

• Address: 5 Eonju-ro 98-gil, 1F, Unit 102, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 강남구 언주로98길 5, 1층 102호)
• Hours: 10:30 AM–11 PM
• Regular closing day: Every Saturday
• Location: About 597 m from Seolleung Station Exit 5
• Amenities: Separate restrooms, Wi-Fi, reservations, waiting area, group seating

On the restaurant wall, there was a summary of the purported benefits of gamjatang and blue crab. I casually read that gamjatang contains protein and amino acids and may help restore energy.

The side dishes served with gamja jeongol

The basic side dishes were kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), dried shredded radish, and garlic scapes. A savory dipping sauce for the bone meat was served alongside them.

The banchan (side dishes) were simple and well matched to the gamja jeongol. Having kkakdugi and garlic scapes between bites of meat was a nice way to refresh my palate.

Small gamja jeongol topped with sprouts and perilla

The small gamja jeongol we ordered cost ₩30,000. From the moment it arrived, it looked generously portioned, with large meaty bones piled high with mung bean sprouts, green onion, and perilla seed powder. Although the menu calls it gamja jeongol, its ingredients are similar to the gamjatang most of us know. It was exactly the menu to order on a day when I was searching for a good Yeoksam-dong restaurant and craving gamjatang.

As it bubbled away on the table, the sprouts gradually wilted and naturally mixed into the broth. Stirring in the perilla seed powder on top made the broth look even richer and nuttier.

The red broth looked as though it would be very spicy, but it was not just harshly hot. It had a warming spice along with the nutty flavor of perilla, making it a broth I kept scooping up.

Large meaty bones with tender meat inside

When I lifted one piece with the tongs, it was large and had plenty of meat attached. After letting it cook long enough, I transferred it to my small plate and picked off the meat; the bone and meat came apart fairly easily.

The meat was tender rather than dry. Picking the meat from between the bones was fun, and pairing it with the sprouts worked wonderfully thanks to their crisp texture.

The meat was seasoned enough to eat on its own, but dipping it in the accompanying sauce brought out even more nuttiness. Among Yeoksam-dong restaurants, this would be a satisfying spread for anyone who loves the big meaty bones in gamjatang.

There were also fluffy, well-cooked potatoes in the broth. They had soaked up plenty of broth and were soft enough to split easily with a spoon. I added a bowl of rice, topped it with meat and sprouts, and had it with a little broth. The spicy broth made the rice go down so easily, and it was a filling meal.

The longer the gamja jeongol cooked, the richer the broth became.

Even after we had eaten nearly all the meat and vegetables, the broth's nutty, warming flavor kept drawing me back. If you are looking for a good meal around Seolleung and Yeoksam-dong, choosing this gamja jeongol with its generous sprouts instead of gamjatang could be a good idea.

Seaweed flake fried rice in the remaining broth

After finishing the meat and potatoes, we added fried rice. It cost ₩3,000 and comes stir-fried evenly in the remaining broth with rice and gim garu (seaweed flakes).

The rich broth flavor soaked into every grain of rice, joined by the nuttiness of the seaweed flakes. Even though I was full, I kept reaching for the fried rice and scraped up the crisp bits stuck to the bottom. If you love fried rice after gamjatang or gamja jeongol, I recommend definitely adding it at the end.

Order details

• Gamja jeongol (small): ₩30,000
• Steamed rice: ₩1,000
• Fried rice: ₩3,000
• Total: ₩34,000

Haeseonok Seolleung Branch is a place where you can enjoy gamja jeongol generously topped with mung bean sprouts and perilla seed powder. The bones were large with plenty of meat attached, making for a hearty meal. The owner was also kind, so I felt comfortable throughout. It is a place worth returning to when I want a satisfying meal in Yeoksam-dong or a spicy, comforting soup dish like gamjatang.