Jinju monkfish stew lunch with udon noodles: Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch

My spouse and I usually love agu-jjim (spicy braised monkfish), so we went to Jjimgoeul in Gajwa-dong, Jinju, for lunch with our child.

I had heard it was delicious and was curious to try it. Not only was the food good, but the staff were so kind to our family with a child that we had a really pleasant meal.

Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch near Jinju Station: location and hours

Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch is near Jinju Station, beside Top Mart.

• Hours: 11:00–21:00
• Break time: 14:30–17:00
• Last order: 20:00
• Regular closing day: Every Sunday

If you are visiting at lunchtime, it would be a good idea to check the break time before you go.

A restaurant atmosphere that was easy to visit with a baby

Perhaps because it had just opened, everything from the exterior to the interior was spotless.

The bright floor, quietly colored tables, and soft lighting came together to create a relaxed atmosphere for a meal.

When we came in, I asked the owner for a high chair and they brought one right over. It is something we always need to check when dining out with a child, so we were able to settle in comfortably.

Aprons were available too, and there was a separate restroom at the back of the restaurant.

Small agu-jjim and choosing the spice level

Our child is still too young to eat agu-jjim, so we chose an amount for just the two of us. That day, we ordered the small agu-jjim.

The menu also had boneless agu-jjim, braised cod cheeks, mixed seafood braise, and braised blue crab. You can choose the type and size, while bowls of rice are ordered separately.

There are six spice levels in all, from level 0, the standard mild option, to the hottest level 5. We chose level 1, “slightly spicy,” one step above the standard. Level 2 is described as medium spice, about like Shin Ramyun, which may be helpful when choosing your level.

As I looked over the screen a little more after ordering, I noticed that boneless monkfish meat could also be added in small or medium portions. I had not seen that option at other agu-jjim places I had visited, so it felt special. I liked that you can add more monkfish when you want it.

One bite and—ahh, this is the taste!

After a short wait, our agu-jjim arrived. Water dropwort and sesame seeds topped the red sauce, and it looked appetizing from the start.

The side dishes included salad, mushrooms, seasoned seaweed stems, dressed peppers, and pickles, along with soybean sprout soup. Once the rice and side dishes were all set out, it made for a hearty spread.

The moment I took a bite of the agu-jjim, I thought, “Ahh, this is the taste!”

After feeding our child first, my wife began her meal in earnest.

As we kept enjoying it, one bowl of rice each did not feel like enough. In the end, we ordered another bowl apiece and each had two.

Udon noodles soaked through with sauce

We wanted to enjoy the delicious sauce a little longer, so we added udon noodles too.

Personally, these were one of the most memorable parts of the meal. The udon mixed with the agu-jjim sauce was savory and delicious, so I kept reaching for it even though I was full. If you like the sauce as much as we did, I recommend trying the udon noodles that soak it up so well.

In the end, we finished every bit of both the agu-jjim and the udon. Looking at the plate with only sauce left at the end, I thought, we really ate well. We were full and in such a good mood.

An owner who was kind to our child

Our child made loud noises a few times during the meal, so we were concerned too, but the owner smiled and told us it was okay. That kind of consideration feels even more meaningful when dining out with a child.

With delicious agu-jjim and warm service, we had a lovely lunch with our family.