Spicy squid stuffed whole and seafood pajeon at a Gyeyang mulhoe spot

Today I visited Muirang Mulhoerang Hyoseong Direct Branch, located in Hyoseong-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon.

26. 09. 06

Today I had dinner plans with my father-in-law. From morning to afternoon I'd been completely drained planning our honeymoon accommodation and picking an MC with my wife... so we decided to recharge with mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) and fresh seafood.

Mulhoe — something you can only eat while the hot weather lasts! Once the season ends you might miss out, so let's enjoy it while we can!

Location and hours for Muirang Mulhoerang Hyoseong Direct Branch

• 📍 Location: 137 Masters Building, 112 Saebeol-ro, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon
• 🚇 Subway: About 700m / roughly a 10-minute walk from Exit 5 of Jakjeon Station, Incheon Line 1
• 🚗 Parking: Basement parking at Masters Building available. Up to 2 hours free based on this visit
• ⏰ Hours: Tue-Sun 12:00 - 22:00
• ☕ Break time: 15:00 - 17:00
• 🕘 Last order: 21:00
• ❌ Closed: Every Monday
• 💰 Price per person: Approx. ₩15,000-25,000
• 🐟 Signature menu: Assorted mulhoe, raw fish rice bowl, clam kalguksu, assorted sashimi, seasonal seafood
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Recommended for: family dinners, lunch, gatherings, seafood lovers, whenever you crave cold mulhoe
• 🐶 Note: pets allowed if in a carrier or stroller

A blue exterior and a "full-power AC" sign

As a seafood specialty restaurant, Muirang Mulhoerang Hyoseong Direct Branch immediately stood out for its blue-accented exterior. The blue awning, door, and sign gave off a cool, refreshing feel, making the place easy to spot from a distance — a look that fit the mulhoe restaurant image perfectly.

What really caught my eye was a sign next to the entrance reading "AC is on full power." It felt more like the owner's playful sense of humor than a stiff notice, and it made me laugh without meaning to. Since we'd come specifically for cool mulhoe on a hot day, seeing that line before even stepping inside made me happy to walk in. They also have cup mulhoe, by the way!!

Interior atmosphere and seating

Once inside, the interior gave off a different vibe from the cool exterior — bright, clean, and impressively spacious. The walls were decorated with sports jerseys and signed items, which added a fun accent to what could have been a plain, wide-open room. Overall it was a comfortable, lively space to eat in.

Most seats were arranged as 4-person tables with generous spacing between them, making it easy to move around. There were plenty of seats but it never felt cramped, and the open center space made it feel good for family visits or larger groups. The tables were well organized and the flow through the space was comfortable, which made enjoying mulhoe or seafood a bit more relaxing.

On one wall was a sign describing the restaurant's food philosophy, tracing back to Muui Island. It explained that they use fruit and onion instead of sugar, traditional seasonings sourced from a local mill, and fresh seafood bought directly from the fish market, with a line about not compromising on ingredients because "trust with our customers is everything." Rather than just selling food, it showed exactly the mindset behind how the ingredients are prepared and the dishes made, and it gave me a real sense of the owner's sincerity and dedication. Reading it naturally raised my expectations for the food to come.

Menu and kiosk ordering

Muirang Mulhoerang Hyoseong Direct Branch takes orders via kiosk, which made it fairly easy to order even as first-time visitors.

The menu board showed a wide range of options: their signature assorted mulhoe alongside meal items like raw fish rice bowl, live abalone sashimi rice bowl, and clam kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), plus sides like spicy fish stew, seafood pajeon (seafood pancake), and flying fish roe rice balls. There were also sashimi options like assorted sashimi, flounder sashimi with skin, and abalone sashimi, so whether you wanted a proper meal or seafood with a drink, there was plenty of range to choose from.

What I particularly liked was that the menu wasn't focused on just one dish — with choices ranging from mulhoe to raw fish rice bowls, kalguksu, pancakes, and sashimi, it was easy for everyone in the group to find something to their taste even with different preferences.

What we ordered and the prices

• Assorted mulhoe (1 serving) ₩25,000
• Seafood pajeon ₩18,000
• Whole braised bullet squid (4-6 pieces) ₩30,000
• Saero soju ₩5,000 x 4

Before the main dishes arrived, we were served basic side dishes: kimchi, peppers, nuts, cabbage salad, and seaweed soup. The lineup felt easy to pair with seafood dishes, and what I especially liked was that the side dishes came with unlimited refills. The seaweed soup was one bowl per person. It was great for cleansing the palate between bites of the main dishes, and if we ran out we could easily ask for more — making for a really generous meal.

Assorted mulhoe: once with noodles, once with rice

The dish I was most looking forward to was, of course, the assorted mulhoe. It arrived in a huge bowl piled high with raw fish, various seafood, vegetables, seaweed flakes, and flying fish roe — it looked incredibly appetizing just to see. There were even separate thin wheat noodles (somyeon) served on the side, so the portion felt generous!!

After the mulhoe arrived, a staff member mixed it for us so it was easy to eat, which was a nice touch for first-time visitors like us. Rather than just setting the dish down, taking the time to show us how to eat it made the service feel that much more thoughtful.

Once we'd eaten most of the seafood and noodles, they recommended mixing the leftover mulhoe broth with rice at the end. We were so full we had to save that for next time, ha... but cool, tangy broth mixed into rice — just thinking about it sounds delicious.

You get to enjoy the mulhoe two ways — once with noodles, then again with rice at the end — which makes tasting one dish in two different styles part of the fun.

Seafood pajeon with generous chunks of seafood

The seafood pajeon we ordered alongside was also highly satisfying. The first thing I noticed was how generously it was loaded with large chunks of seafood. The outside was fried golden and crispy, and each bite had chewy, springy seafood inside that made for great texture. Rather than a pancake that's mostly batter, it genuinely felt packed with seafood, which made it even more satisfying.

Dipped lightly in the accompanying seasoned soy sauce, the salty touch paired perfectly with the crispy pancake. Alternating between the hot pajeon and the cold mulhoe made for a genuinely happy combination.

Whole braised bullet squid and cheongyang mayo sauce

And the dish that left the strongest impression this meal was the bullet squid. Eating the whole squid, the chewy texture of the flesh was great, but what really stood out was the rich, deep flavor of the innards inside. It had a nuttiness and umami distinctly different from regular boiled squid, and I think seafood lovers especially would love it!! Highly, highly recommend!!!!

The accompanying sauces were also great. Personally, the cheongyang mayo sauce was the real kick for me. The savory mayonnaise combined with the sharp heat of cheongyang chili balanced out the richness of the squid innards without making it too heavy. The mild spiciness and savoriness kept my mouth happy, and I kept reaching for more.

For those less used to the strong flavor of cheongyang mayo or squid innards, there was also the more familiar chojang (vinegared chili paste) to dip into instead — a nice option that covered different preferences. The sweet-and-tangy chojang paired so naturally with squid that anyone could enjoy it without hesitation.

Notes on visiting with kids, restrooms, and more

There were high chairs available in one corner of the restaurant, so families visiting with young children could eat fairly comfortably. Around the counter were also cute decorations — Stitch, Disney characters, Tom and Jerry — along with signed balls and sports memorabilia. Rather than feeling like just a place to eat, there were little things to look at while waiting for food or between bites. The whole place naturally reflected the owner's personal taste, giving it a more comfortable, friendly feel than a typical stiff raw fish restaurant.

*Restroom note* The restroom isn't connected directly inside the restaurant — you go out the back door to use it. There's a separate door code posted, so check the number written in the restaurant before heading out. First-time visitors might get a bit confused about the location, so this is worth knowing ahead of time if you plan to use it.

Final verdict — who is this for

Muirang Mulhoerang Hyoseong Direct Branch is a seafood specialty restaurant in Hyoseong-dong centered around mulhoe, but with a range of dishes from raw fish rice bowls to kalguksu, seafood pajeon, and seasonal seafood. Though it's a mulhoe specialty spot, the variety of menu options makes it a good pick for family dinners or gatherings, and having parking in the building is convenient for anyone driving in.

If you're craving a cool mulhoe loaded with different kinds of seafood, I'd recommend this as a mulhoe spot worth visiting in Hyoseong-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon.

• Anyone looking for cool mulhoe in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon
• Anyone looking for seafood near Hyoseong-dong or Jakjeon Station
• Anyone looking for a comfortable place to eat with family
• Anyone who wants to enjoy several kinds of raw fish and seafood at once

Cool mulhoe is especially fitting in summer, and since seasonal seafood changes throughout the year, it might be worth another visit when the seasons shift.