Seomjingang Catfish Spicy Soup
섬진강메기매운탕
About
Rustic eatery near Songchu Valley serving deep, savory catfish stew packed with fresh water dropwort and chewy hand-pulled dough.
Tucked along the scenic pass between Bukhansan and Songchu in Yangju’s Jangheung-myeon, Seomjingang Megi Maeuntang specializes strictly in one dish: spicy freshwater catfish stew. Live catfish swim in outdoor tanks right outside the entrance, signaling the freshness that defines the kitchen’s reputation. Inside, the setting is unpretentious and built for lingering over a bubbling stove, requiring guests to slip off their shoes before settling at the tables. The centerpiece is a wide communal pot brimming with tender, delicate catfish. Freshwater fish often carries a risk of muddiness, but here the flesh is clean and soft, resting in a deep broth enriched with minced garlic and a savory, fermented soybean base. The soup avoids sharp, one-dimensional heat, opting instead for a rich, comforting profile that deepens significantly as it simmers down over the flame. Note that the kitchen does not provide broth refills, meaning the soup naturally concentrates into a robust, savory stew by the end of the meal. What truly anchors the experience is the mountain of fresh minari (water dropwort) served alongside the pot. Diners drop fistfuls of the fragrant greens into the roiling broth in stages, fishing them out while they are still crisp to cut through the rich stew. Hand-torn sujebi (dough flakes) arrive directly in the soup, absorbing the peppery broth until slippery and chewy. Simple sides like pickled garlic scapes, kimchi, and raw peppers round out the table, offering a sharp counterpoint to the steamy pot. It is the archetype of suburban outskirts dining—a restorative, communal stop favored by returning hikers, golfers, and family gatherings looking to thaw out over a shared flame.
Menu
- Catfish Spicy Stew₩79,000
- Extra Water Dropwort₩5,000
- Hand-pulled Dough Flakes
Local tips
- Note that orders must be placed per person, and broth refills are not offered.
- Add freshly hand-pulled sujeobi dough into the rich broth toward the end of your meal.
- Extra servings of water dropwort (minari) are available for a 5,000 KRW charge.
- Shoe removal is required before entering the dining area.
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 11:00–20:30
- Monday
- 11:00–20:30
- Tuesday
- 11:00–20:30
- Wednesday
- 11:00–20:30
- Thursday
- 11:00–20:30
- Friday
- 11:00–20:30
- Saturday
- 11:00–20:30