벌말매운탕
A freshwater maeuntang (spicy fish stew) restaurant on Beolmal-ro in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, that has maintained a consistent standard over many years. The signature catfish and bullhead stew contains impressively large, fully grown whole fish, making for a generous serving. A crab version is also available, though it cannot be ordered for takeout. Adding shrimp deepens the broth with a savory richness. One of the restaurant's defining features is the unlimited supply of ramen noodles and hand-torn sujebi dough — the latter arrives as a raw dough ball that diners tear and drop into the pot themselves, adding an interactive element along with a pleasantly chewy texture that complements the spicy broth. The base broth runs on the saltier side, so adjusting with water or cheongyang chili peppers to taste is advisable. Meals can be finished with fried rice, and barley tea plus a self-serve coffee machine round out the post-meal options. The entire ground floor serves as parking, with the dining rooms occupying the second and third floors. Air conditioning vents installed beneath the tables keep diners cool even while eating steaming-hot stew. Windows offer views of planes landing at nearby Gimpo Airport, adding incidental entertainment. Public transit access is inconvenient, so driving is recommended. For around 50,000 won, three people can eat to full satisfaction including fried rice, making it a strong value proposition.