Gwacheon Korean restaurant for seaweed soup: Haenon Miyeok

I visited Haenon Miyeok Gwacheon Direct Branch (해논미역 과천직영점) in Munwon-dong, Gwacheon, with my husband and child. We went because it is a place where I could have the seaweed soup I usually enjoy as a set meal.

Haenon Miyeok is said to be a seaweed soup set-meal specialist that began in Busan in 2015. Its notice said that, rather than serving soup prepared in advance, it cooks each order as it is placed and makes all food in the restaurant.

Was parking and dining with a stroller comfortable?

There was plenty of room in the parking lot in front, so even I, a novice driver, found it easy to park. High chairs are also available.

The interior was neat and pleasant. The tables were widely spaced, which made conversation easy, and there was enough room to park the stroller we brought while we ate.

After eating there with our child, I thought it could also work well for a family gathering. Our child waited quietly while we ate.

What seaweed soup options and prices are there?

We ordered using the kiosk at our table. The menu and prices listed at the time of my visit were as follows.

• Sea urchin roe seaweed soup set meal: ₩30,000
• Tongyeong oyster seaweed soup set meal: ₩25,000
• Boneless flounder, scallop, dried pollack, and mussel meat seaweed soups: ₩19,000 each
• Beef seaweed soup: ₩20,000
• Beef bulgogi, butter-grilled abalone, and seasoned flounder were sold as side dishes

At first, the price felt a little high for one meal of seaweed soup. But once I saw the table setting with its many side dishes, it made sense to me.

How are the side dishes served, and can they be refilled?

There was a varied selection of side dishes, including seasoned scallops, cheongpomuk (mung bean jelly), gungchae (stem lettuce), young radish kimchi, napa cabbage kimchi, fried seasoned flounder, salad, and japchae (stir-fried glass noodles). There was plenty to eat alongside the seaweed soup, and I also liked the individually wrapped utensils.

We could get more side dishes from the self-service bar. I also enjoyed the japchae and fried eggplant.

Among the side dishes, I also enjoyed the fried seasoned flounder.

How were the dried pollack and beef seaweed soups?

My husband chose the dried pollack seaweed soup, and I chose the beef seaweed soup. Once our soups arrived, the neat full table was complete.

Both were good, so it was hard to choose which one was better. The rice was good too, and the available refills made it easy to have a filling meal.

The broth tasted deep and rich. It was a satisfying meal for my husband and me after tiring days of work and childcare.

The seaweed soup came generously filled in a ttukbaegi (earthenware bowl), with plenty of beef and dried pollack in their respective soups. With all the side dishes, we were very full.

It was also good with rice mixed into the broth. To my taste, it had a deep, rich flavor rather than just a pronounced seasoning taste. The staff were kind too, and I would like to return with my family.

What are the hours and takeaway details?

The address is 67 Araetbaeraengi-ro, 1st floor, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. At the time the original post was written, the listed hours were 11:00–21:00, with a weekday break from 15:00 to 17:00. There is no break on weekends, and reservations and takeaway were also said to be available.

There was a notice saying that pregnant guests and birthday guests could receive one abalone with verification. Another event notice said that writing a review would come with a drink or jeon (Korean savory pancake).

It was listed as an affiliate for Gwacheon Tori, Gwacheon’s local currency, and delivery was also listed as available through Baemin and Coupang Eats.