Discovering My Go-To Comfort Food in Ilsan: Bodol Miyeok (보돌미역 운정점) for Hearty Seaweed Soup and Spicy Braised Pollock
① Restaurant Name
Bodol Miyeok – Unjeong Branch (보돌미역 운정점)
② Address
968, Gyeongui-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (920, Yadang-dong)
경기도 파주시 경의로 968 (야당동 920)
③ Why It’s Worth the Hype
Hey everyone! Today I want to share a fantastic little restaurant I stumbled upon that specializes in Korean comfort food. It’s called Bodol Miyeok (보돌미역 운정점), and while the name says “Unjeong branch,” it’s actually super close to both Tanhyeon and Deogi-dong in the Ilsan area.
④ Ambiance & Vibe
I was wrapping up some errands near Juyeop Station and was planning to grab lunch on my way back. As luck would have it, I finished earlier than expected, right smack in the middle of lunchtime. Usually, I try to avoid the rush, but I was hungry, so I went for it. Surprisingly, there were a couple of tables free, so I snagged one inside. Score! I was really looking forward to trying their miyeokguk (seaweed soup set menu). Right as you walk in, you can see a bunch of celebrity autographs on display! It seems like this place hasn’t been around for too long, but it’s already making a name for itself. The mouthwatering photos of their dishes on the menu definitely got my stomach rumbling. The place was pretty packed, so I snapped this photo on my way out. They also have what looks like private rooms, which would be perfect for a family gathering or a larger group.
⑤ Food Highlights
Alright, let’s take a peek at the menu at this Deogi-dong hidden gem, Bodol Miyeok. They have individual seaweed soup options, set menus, and full course meals. I was tempted to try the soup with abalone and flatfish, but I was really craving braised pollock (kodaeri jjim), so I went with the Kodaeri Jjim Set Menu. And for the ultimate home-style Korean food experience, they also sell four “rice thief” side dishes. Let me tell you, that braised pollock was the REAL rice thief here. Seriously, I kept saying “wow” with every bite. It was that good! The Kodaeri Jjim Set comes with a mini seaweed soup. This one was a clam-based miyeokguk. Even though it was “mini,” it was still a decent portion for one person. But can you just see how rich and flavorful that seaweed soup looks? It was absolutely delicious. They use high-quality dried seaweed from Gijang and simmer it to perfection, creating this milky and deep-flavored soup. Honestly, it was one of the best seaweed soups I’ve ever had. Here’s the spread that comes with the Kodaeri Jjim Set: various side dishes, the braised pollock, and grilled pollack (which you get when you order two or more set meals!). Pretty generous, right? Okay, this braised pollock totally stole my heart. Seriously, it was amazing. It had this almost tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) vibe to it – just incredibly delicious. The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. I can’t rave about it enough! And this is the grilled pollack. It comes as a bonus when you order two or more set meals. It was my first time trying grilled pollack, and it was so tasty! All the side dishes were also really fresh and flavorful. But honestly, the braised pollock was so good that I didn’t even bother asking for a refill of my favorite japchae (glass noodles). That says a lot! While the seaweed soup was fantastic, what really blew me away was the radish in that braised pollock. Seriously, it was out of this world. Usually, I’m not a huge fan of the radish in fish stews, but this was a game-changer. You HAVE to try it. It was a total rice thief! I ended up mixing the sauce with my rice – I almost ordered another bowl! I also devoured the grilled pollack. Even though I thought having another fish dish with the braised pollock might be too much, one bite and I was hooked! The pollock itself was so meaty and had such a great texture. It made me wonder if I’d been missing out on how delicious pollock could be. And the sauce? Perfectly seasoned! The sweet, savory, and spicy notes in Bodol Miyeok’s braised pollock were spot on. You know how they say the head of a fish is the best part? Well, the head of this pollock was nice and meaty – so good to pick apart and enjoy!
⑥ How to Get There
Bodol Miyeok (운정점) is located right on the border of Deogi-dong, Tanhyeon, and Unjeong. If you’re looking for a great value Korean set menu, I wholeheartedly recommend this place.
⑦ Google Map
⑧ Naver Map
⑨ Final Thoughts
Even though I wasn’t super hungry when I arrived, everything was so delicious that I just kept eating without realizing it. Hopefully, no one was watching! 😉 I give Bodol Miyeok (운정점) a 10,000% recommendation. Seriously, if you’re in the area, you have to check it out. They also offer takeout for their entire menu. Seriously, if you’re not confident about making seaweed soup for a birthday or special occasion, just grab it from here. Highly recommend! They do have Wi-Fi, but the name you see might not be the one that works. Just ask the staff, and they’ll point you in the right direction. Enjoy your lunch, and have a wonderful day!
