Mukho Mulhoe Donghae Review 2026: Best Raw Fish Bowl

If you find yourself traveling solo in Donghae, Gangwon-do, sitting down for a massive raw fish platter can feel a bit overwhelming. That is exactly why I went searching for the perfect solo-friendly spot to enjoy fresh local seafood, and stumbled upon an incredibly budget-friendly gem called Mukho Mulhoe.

Mukho Mulhoe

24 Saemsil 3-gil, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do

Operating Hours

Mon~Sat: 10:00 AM ~ 8:00 PM

Last Order: 7:00 PM

Sun: 10:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM

Last Order: 3:00 PM

How to Get to Mukho Mulhoe

Mukho Mulhoe is highly accessible, located just about a 5-minute drive (under 2 miles) from both Gangneung Terminal and Mukho Station. If you are coming from Donghae Station, it takes about 10 minutes. I personally walked over here in about 15 minutes after exploring the nearby Cheongok Golden Bat Cave, which made for a perfect pre-lunch stroll.

There is a small private parking lot right next to the building, though it only fits about 3 to 4 cars. If it is full, you can easily find temporary parking along the quiet side streets and alleys nearby.

The Interior Vibes

Stepping inside, the restaurant features a clean, simple layout with mostly 4-person tables. I arrived right around noon, and there was still plenty of seating available. Keep in mind that this was on a weekday in May. Now that the summer heat is kicking in for 2026, cold raw fish soup is in high demand, so you might face a short wait during peak hours.

I actually got a gentle scolding from the owner while snapping photos! She jokingly mentioned that I should ask for permission first, which made this shy traveler freeze up for a second. My apologies, boss! Haha.

The Menu

There are no physical menus here; you simply look at the options posted on the wall to order.

The regular Hoe-deopbap (spicy raw fish over rice) goes for an unbelievable ~$6, while the large portion is just ~$8. Their signature Mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) and Hoe-muchim (spicy raw fish salad) both feature gajami-sekkoshi (rough-cut flounder with soft bones). While I initially planned on getting the cold soup, I opted for the classic Hoe-deopbap instead.

Getting a fresh bowl of raw fish over rice for just ~$6 is an absolute steal. If you prefer fish without bones, they also offer flatfish (gwang-eo) versions of both the cold soup and the rice bowl. They even have an egg fried rice option for kids, making it a great spot for families too.

The side dishes include fish cakes, pickled spinach, a light salad, and kimchi. While the kimchi is imported, the rest of the side dishes and the rice are locally sourced. Honestly, at ~$6 a bowl, there is absolutely no room to complain!

It has been almost a full year since I last had a proper bowl of Hoe-deopbap—my last one was on Biyangdo Island in Jeju. Just look at this presentation! The massive bowl is absolutely packed to the brim with fresh ingredients.

As I sat there slightly intimidated, the owner came over and kindly instructed me to mix the bowl with chopsticks instead of a spoon. What a classic "tsundere" host—grumpy on the outside, but incredibly caring! Mixing with chopsticks keeps the delicate fish from getting bruised or mushed. It actually brought back fond memories of my old office manager, who always insisted on mixing bibimbap the exact same way.

The tangy, sweet, and spicy gochujang sauce coated the raw fish and crisp vegetables beautifully. If this place were in my neighborhood, I would easily eat here every single day. I am usually a die-hard meat lover who prefers a warm bowl of soup over raw fish, but this bowl completely won me over.

I barely even touched the side dishes because the main bowl was so captivating. Best of all, the amount of fish they give you is mind-blowing. In most budget places, you get a mountain of cabbage and have to play hide-and-seek to find a few pieces of fish. Here, they do not hold back—the bowl is loaded with fresh, high-quality fish.

If you are visiting Donghae, Mukho Mulhoe is an absolute must-visit for authentic, budget-friendly local seafood. Please note that leftovers cannot be packed to-go. However, you can order their raw fish bowls, spicy fish salad, and savory mung bean pancakes for nationwide shipping within Korea via their Naver Map contact number or KakaoTalk.