Samseonghyeol Haemultang (원조 삼성혈해물탕 본점)

Samseonghyeol Haemultang (원조 삼성혈해물탕 본점)
20 Seondeok-Ro 5-Gil
Yeon-Dong
Jeju 63122
South Korea

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g297885-d4031924-Reviews-Samsunghyeol_Haemultang-Jeju_Jeju_Island.html

https://naver.me/GyyuBUZ1

Haemultang / Seafood Stew Hot Pot (KRW ₩80,000 / SGD $80 for 4 persons)

Luxurious Seafood Stew

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 9
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 10
Service: 10
Value for Money: 10
Spent about KRW ₩25,000 / SGD $25 per person.

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In hindsight, the meal we had at Samseonghyeol Haemultang (원조 삼성혈해물탕 본점) was the best of our 2023 visit. But we didn't know this at the time, as we'd just arrived famished from the overnight flight and this was our 1st meal in Jeju. We'd heard that tourists frequent this place in droves, but because we'd arrived past-lunch, we were the only customers.

Ambience at Samseonghyeol Haemultang is clean, homely, and functional. The brightly lit place is neatly lined with wide and sturdy wooden furnishings, some of regular height, some of ankle height (for kneeling). As you approach, you'll see several water tanks housing their live seafood. I can imagine the buzz and ambient noise if the place was more busy.

Service at Samseonghyeol Haemultang is excellent, with staff engaging us in Mandarin and Korean, demonstrating how best to cook and eat the dishes. They checked on us regularly to ensure our meal was going smoothly, and offered recommendations for other dishes. The menu requires translation, but is pretty easy to figure out, with the focus being their signature seafood stew hot pot. Payment is made over the counter.

Food at Samseonghyeol Haemultang is Korean cuisine, focused on a medley of fresh seafood, thrown together with spices into a bubbling stew hot pot, which cooks tableside, directly in front of diners. Served along with other side dishes as a set meal, portions are large. Prices represent great value for money despite the premium seafood ingredients, budget about KRW ₩25,000 / SGD $25 per person.

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Samseonghyeol Haemultang Exterior

Samseonghyeol Haemultang Interior

Samseonghyeol Haemultang Menu

Seating

Banchan / Side Dishes

The bottled Hallabong Juice (KRW ₩5,000 / SGD $5) lends a refreshing zesty tangy fruity sour sweet contrast with its juicy notes. It's a tad more expensive than elsewhere though.

Hallabong Juice (KRW ₩5,000 / SGD $5)

Hallabong Juice

Each meal is served with a complimentary series of Banchan / Side Dishes. During our visit, standouts included the crisp Kimchi Baechu / Kimchi Pickled Cabbage with its vegetal sweet spice flavour, the juicy Kimchi Oi Sobaegi / Kimchi Pickled Cucumber with its vegetal spice sweet flavour, the crunchy Myeolchi Bokkeum / Fried Anchovies with its sweet salty fishy flavour, and the tender Kongjaban / Braised Soy Beans with its earthy sweet savoury flavour.

Kimchi Baechu / Kimchi Pickled Cabbage

Kimchi Oi Sobaegi / Kimchi Pickled Cucumber

Myeolchi Bokkeum / Fried Anchovies

Kongjaban / Braised Soy Beans

Gamjajeon / Potato Pancake

In hindsight, the Jeonbok Juk / Abalone Porridge (KRW ₩20,000 / SGD $20) here is the absolute best rendition I've ever tasted, with its thick gloopy warm texture that is soulful and comforting. Infused with the essence of abalone, this luxurious dish carries deep briny earthy salty sweet bitter flavour, enticing the palate. There're chunks of bouncy abalone amongst the starchy thick congee porridge. Highly recommended!

Jeonbok Juk / Abalone Porridge (KRW ₩20,000 / SGD $20)

Jeonbok Juk / Abalone Porridge

Jeonbok Juk / Abalone Porridge

The star highlight, the Haemultang / Seafood Stew Hot Pot (KRW ₩80,000 / SGD $80 for 4 persons) is a massive hot pot stew, stacked high with live seafood, which staff help to push into the boiling broth to cook tableside. The seafood carries bouncy crunchy juicy texture throughout, with the vegetables lending a crisp crunch, each picking up the briny sweet salty spicy savoury flavours infused within. The luxurious arrangement includes white clams, black mussels, octopus, scallops, blood cockles, and crab, accompanied with green onions, bean sprouts, and optional ramen noodles. Highly recommended!