Gwacheon seaweed soup restaurant on a weeknight return: Haenon Miyeok

Here's my review of Haenon Miyeok Gwacheon Direct Branch, a seaweed soup restaurant I visit a few times a year — birthday or not.

I've known Haenon Miyeok as a chain for about four years, but when I moved to Anyang there was no Gwacheon branch yet. Apparently it opened in mid-March this year.

Where is Haenon Miyeok Gwacheon Direct Branch, and is there parking?

Location 67 Araetbaerangi-ro, 1st floor, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do Parking Use the lot in front of the restaurant

Nose-in parking near the restaurant is the way to go! The Gwacheon branch sits in a quiet spot near Byeoryang-dong Catholic Church, so the parking lot felt pleasantly uncrowded.

Haenon Miyeok menu and set prices

Seaweed soup sets Boneless flounder/scallop/mussel with pollack ₩19,000 Beef ₩20,000 Tongyeong oyster seaweed soup set ₩25,000 Add 2 pieces of abalone to seaweed soup ₩7,000 ₩4,000 discount for soup-only takeout, no side dishes Haenon beef bulgogi set ₩32,000

Sides Haenon beef bulgogi (500g) ₩30,000 Wando abalone butter-grilled (4 pieces) ₩25,000 Seasoned flounder ₩6,000 Pregnant guests celebrating a birthday that week get an abalone added to their seaweed soup, free of charge

Inside the restaurant and the self-serve banchan bar

Haenon Miyeok Gwacheon Direct Branch is set up with the kind of atmosphere that works well for a full Korean set-meal gathering with family in the Gwacheon area.

The space is large with high ceilings, and the tables are spaced generously apart, giving it an open, comfortable feel.

Tables are mostly set up for four people, and there were baby chairs and disposable bibs on hand.

With that proper-set-meal atmosphere, there's a clean self-serve bar where you can freely refill side dishes, including japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) and fried eggplant.

The restroom is inside the restaurant and was clean.

We came right around opening time on a weekday evening, so all the side dishes were still neatly arranged!

How do the flounder and beef seaweed soup sets taste?

We ordered the two dishes we always get. Boneless flounder seaweed soup set ₩19,000 Beef seaweed soup set ₩20,000

The set comes with one whole fried flounder — this can't be refilled at the self-serve bar, but it can be ordered as an extra side dish! There's also a scallop salad among the side dishes, which is refillable at the salad bar.

The salad, egg, and stir-fried onions were tasty too. My kid refilled the japchae once more.

The side dishes and seaweed soups come out neatly arranged.

The flounder seaweed soup was the first menu item I tried at Haenon Miyeok, and it's become one I trust and order every single time I come. That distinctively rich, savory flavor is outstanding.

We also ordered the beef seaweed soup, since my spouse and I both like it and even make it at home — and it was, as always, delicious.

Instead of plain rice, we got tot namul bap (rice with hijiki seaweed). The rice portion is on the small side, but the soup runs about 1.5 servings, so overall it balances out — and if you like eating soup with rice, refills come at no extra charge.

Walking out of Haenon Miyeok after a hot bowl of seaweed soup and a hearty Korean meal, I felt full and warmed through, like I'd just had a proper tonic dish. It's a restaurant I visit often when family from out of town comes by, and I'd recommend it for family gatherings too.

Hours, last order and reservation discounts

Hours Daily 11:00 - 21:00 Break time 15:00 - 17:00 Last order 19:45 Reservations Available via Naver Reservation ₩1,000 discount coupon provided for Naver reservations ₩1,000 discount provided for a Naver receipt review

A Korean restaurant you really can't go wrong bringing anyone to, with a seaweed soup that's a bit special — that's Haenon Miyeok Gwacheon Direct Branch!