Korean set-menu lunch in Gwangmyeong: clay-oven fish at Todam Hwadok

Today I remembered how good the clean, mild mackerel grilled fish was that I'd eaten here before, so I went back to Todam Hwadok Saengseongui, a spot near Anyangcheon-ro. It's the Gwangmyeong restaurant I think of whenever I'm craving grilled fish.

Where is Todam Hwadok Saengseongui, and where do you park?

Todam Hwadok Saengseongui is on the 3rd floor of a shopping building full of restaurants, at 459 Anyangcheon-ro, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do. It's right on Anyangcheon-ro, so it's easy to find, and parking is handled by valet staff who were thorough and friendly with their guidance — I liked that.

• 459 Anyangcheon-ro, 3rd floor, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Group dining, walk-in/catering, reservations, Wi-Fi, separate men's/women's restrooms, parking, takeout

Inside Todam Hwadok Saengseongui: a spacious room with group seating

The dining room at Todam Hwadok Saengseongui was spacious and clean. There are plenty of regular tables, plus separated rooms and group seating, so it looks great for a family meal out or a gathering spot.

For reference, I visited during weekday lunch and it was quite busy. Even during that hectic time, the staff were friendly and everything was well organized — I liked that.

What comes with the Spanish mackerel and mackerel sets

Here's the menu at Todam Hwadok Saengseongui. This time I ordered the Spanish mackerel set and the mackerel set — hearty set menus that come with clay-oven grilled fish, cheonggukjang stew, and hot-pot rice.

Five basic side dishes came out first.

Seasoned bean sprouts, young radish kimchi, mukbap (jelly), deodeok (mountain root), pickled vegetables, and more — side dishes seasoned just right, never overdoing it, so they paired well with the main dish. They had that home-cooked feel, and the ingredients tasted fresh, which I liked.

The self-serve bar: pumpkin porridge and clay-oven roasted sweet potato

I checked out the self-serve bar before the main dishes arrived. The side dish lineup at the self-serve corner seems to rotate a bit periodically — various namul, kimchi, and seasoned dishes. Some of these aren't part of the standard table setting, so definitely check the self-serve bar!

One self-serve item that's never missing is the pumpkin porridge.

The pumpkin porridge is soft and sweet, good either before the meal or after you finish eating. I like that these are dishes that are good for you, too.

Sweet potato and watermelon were perfect for dessert. The sweet potato is roasted in the clay oven, so of course it's delicious. Looking at the self-serve corner, I really felt this place delivers on service too.

Cheonggukjang stew and the crispy crust from the hot-pot rice

Our order — the mackerel set and the Spanish mackerel set — arrived together.

The cheonggukjang stew (fermented soybean stew) that comes with the set. This one's also a treat. It has a strong, savory aroma but isn't salty — deep flavor.

The cheonggukjang stew was also packed full of ingredients, which I liked.

Another plus is that the set comes with hot-pot rice. You eat the freshly cooked rice with the fish first, then pour hot water into the remaining pot to make a rice-crust tea to finish.

How big is the clay-oven grilled fish, and how does it taste?

The grilled fish here starts out different just by its size — this Gwangmyeong spot's grilled fish is overwhelming in scale. And it's not just big, there's a lot of meat to eat too.

Fresh off the grill, it was still sizzling on the hot plate, piping hot. The fish had a glossy sheen that looked delicious just to look at, and the flesh was substantial.

That distinctive golden-brown char and crispy texture from the clay oven were alive, while the inside stayed moist and juicy, never dry. The seasoning was just right too — a total rice thief.

I tried the Spanish mackerel dipped in the soy sauce set on the table too.

The Spanish mackerel was good, but the grilled mackerel was especially delicious — no fishy smell at all, just the fish's natural flavor coming through clearly. The flesh was dense and the portion generous, so it felt completely satisfying.

Why Todam Hwadok Saengseongui is worth a second visit

Todam Hwadok Saengseongui was still just as good on a revisit. On a day when I'm craving grilled fish, or want a hearty, healthy meal, I think I'll keep coming back. It's great to bring your parents, and I'd strongly recommend it as a spot for a family meal or a gathering — a Gwangmyeong Korean restaurant known for its grilled fish.