Gwacheon Korean restaurant for crispy fried eggplant: Haenon Miyeok

The day has come when seaweed is no longer something we eat only at home, but something to enjoy in a special place when dining out.

Personally, whenever I felt there was nothing quite right for lunch,

I used to wish there were somewhere I could have a hearty seaweed soup set, almost like an upscale home-style Korean meal. Then Haenon Miyeok Gwacheon Direct Branch (해논미역 과천직영점) opened in Gwacheon.

Soaring ceilings and parking right in front

Located at 67 Araetbaeraengi-ro in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, Haenon Miyeok is a place for neat, refined Korean food.

There is a dedicated space directly in front of the restaurant for around 10 cars, making it an easy visit by car. It can get a little crowded at peak times, though, so I recommend arriving a bit early for lunch.

With its very high ceiling and open, comfortable layout, it offers a tidy setting for a meal. It is also known as a frequent stop for nearby office workers looking for a filling lunch.

Which seaweed soups and side dishes are served?

As a seaweed soup specialist, this place has a varied menu prepared with care.

The signature, crowd-pleasing choice is the deeply savory beef miyeokguk (seaweed soup). You can also choose dried pollock seaweed soup, with a clean, refreshing flavor, or mussel seaweed soup, full of seafood umami, depending on your preference.

The banchan (Korean side dishes) served alongside it are also wonderfully put together.

• Spicy napa cabbage kimchi
• Gungchae (stem lettuce) stir-fried with perilla seed, with a pleasing crunch and nutty flavor
• Mild tangpyeongchae (mung bean jelly salad)
• Fresh salad with perilla seed dressing
• Grilled fish with spicy seasoning

Thanks to this substantial assortment of dishes, it is especially satisfying for anyone wanting a hearty, well-presented Korean meal.

Milky, rich beef seaweed soup and crispy fried eggplant

The beef seaweed soup, the main dish, arrives steaming in a black earthenware pot, so it stays warmly heated throughout the meal. Simmered for a long time, its rich broth has both a golden tone and a milky hue, and it is full of glossy green seaweed and thick, tender strips of beef that pull apart along the grain.

Because each pot is prepared once you order, the neat side dishes are nice to enjoy while waiting. The one that especially stands out is the fried eggplant. Freshly fried, it is crisp outside and moist within, and this special little side dish is one of the most popular items with diners.

After trying the beef seaweed soup set

The pot of seaweed soup is far more generous than what I would have at home, so you can enjoy as much seaweed as you like. Its mild, deep broth is not salty and feels gentle on the stomach, making it easy to finish every last spoonful from the first taste onward.

The plentiful seaweed and beef make for a truly filling meal, while the balance of rice and seaweed lets you finish neatly without feeling overstuffed. If you are looking for a healthy lunch that digests easily, it is an excellent choice.

Why I recommend it for office workers and families

Haenon Miyeok is a wonderful guide for anyone around Gwacheon who wants neat, easy-on-the-stomach Korean food that will appeal to everyone. I especially recommend it to nearby office workers choosing a warm, satisfying lunch amid a busy day, and to families who want to treat their parents to a healthy meal that feels gentle on the stomach.

If you would like to experience a carefully made pot of seaweed soup with a varied spread of side dishes, make sure to stop by.