Culture — Entry No. 0433
해물탕
haemultang · noun
해물탕
haemultang
[HEH-mul-tahng]
nounintermediate
Meaning
A fiery Korean seafood stew packed with shellfish, shrimp, crab, and squid simmered in a bold gochugaru-spiced broth. Haemultang is served communally in a single pot at the table, prized for its intensely savory, oceanic depth and satisfying heat.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
In ‘Itaewon Class,’ food-centered confrontations unfold over dishes like haemultang, reinforcing how Korean dining culture frames both intimacy and conflict. Stray Kids member Han has cited spicy Korean stews including haemultang as personal favorites in fan content, drawing international STAY toward Korean seafood cuisine.
Example Sentences
해물탕 한 냄비 시킬까요?
Haemultang han naembi sikilkkayo?
Shall we order one pot of haemultang? (한 냄비 = one pot — communal sharing is the default, not individual bowls)
이 집 해물탕이 정말 칼칼하네요.
I jip haemultangi jeongmal kalkalhanneyo.
This place’s haemultang has such a sharp, clean heat to it. (칼칼하다 describes a refreshing throat-clearing spice, distinct from heavy or greasy heat)
해물탕 국물에 밥 비벼 먹으면 진짜 맛있어.
Haemultang gungmure bap bibyeo meogeuomyeon jinjja massisseo.
Mixing rice into the haemultang broth is absolutely delicious. (a beloved end-of-meal ritual — the broth-soaked rice is considered the best part)
⚠️ Don’t use haemultang when…
Don’t confuse haemultang (탕, broth-forward stew) with haemul jeongol (전골, a richer hot-pot where ingredients are added tableside) — they differ in texture, presentation, and dining experience. Also, the spice level is genuinely intense; international fans inspired by drama scenes often underestimate how hot a full pot of haemultang actually is.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Itaewon Class — tense business rivalries play out over shared Korean stew, showing how communal eating in Korean culture intensifies both connection and conflict
- K-Pop: Stray Kids — Han has named spicy Korean stews among his top comfort foods in fan Q&A content, leading many international STAY to try haemultang for the first time
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.