홍대포
Hongdaepo is a seafood hot pot restaurant in Cheongok-dong, Donghae City, Gangwon Province, widely considered the top haecheon-tang destination in the Donghae area. The signature haecheon-tang features a dramatic assembly of live octopus, abalone, scallops, and mussels layered over a whole chicken, creating a surf-and-turf experience in a single pot with a broth that is simultaneously refreshing and spicy. The haesin-tang variation uses nakji (small octopus) instead, and the medium size comfortably serves four. All seafood is prepared and cut tableside by staff using scissors, with the octopus leg and crab dismantling process providing something of a show. The broth deepens in flavor the longer it simmers, developing an intensity that pairs irresistibly with alcohol. Adding kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) noodles at the end creates a filling finish, though ladling out some broth before the noodles go in is recommended, as the flour can dilute the clean, refreshing quality of the original soup. Following the noodles with a rice porridge course completes the full progression. Pre-meal appetizers include a tofu dish, and side dishes such as kkomak-muchim (seasoned cockles) and fried tofu are notably good. Ordering an extra plate of scallops is also recommended. The restaurant is spacious but consistently packed, making reservations essential, and dishes require approximately twenty minutes of preparation time. The owner and staff are praised for their friendliness, and hygiene standards are visibly high, with dedicated waste sorting and commercial-grade sanitizing dishwashers in use. Street parking requires finding an available spot along the road, which can be challenging. Note that actual closing time is 10 PM despite posted hours showing 11 PM. A restaurant of the same name exists in Seoul's Mapo district but has no affiliation with this original Donghae location.