Jongno Tower B2 Korean lunch: octopus with rice add-on, Bonghyejane

I want to introduce a newly opened restaurant near Jonggak Station where the octopus is tender and delicious.

Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch

How to reach Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch from Jonggak Station

Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch is a Korean restaurant on the second basement floor of Jongno Tower, connected directly to Jonggak Station. I had a lunch appointment near Jonggak and was looking for somewhere filling to eat when I heard about a newly opened octopus place, so I checked it out.

If you spot the "Naya, Tongnakji" (That's me, whole octopus!) banner, haha, that's the place.

Inside Bonghyejane: atmosphere and seating

Walking in, the space was clean and had a good atmosphere for a meal. I appreciated that the owner pushed tables together so we could eat comfortably.

The menu and our order: whole octopus stir-fry plus a rice bowl

The menu at Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch works well for office lunches, family meals, or meals with friends.

I ordered the whole octopus stir-fry, and added a rice bowl (대접밥) on top.

Since it's the flame-grilled signature dish, my order came out as a full set-style spread, which I loved.

What does Bonghyejane's full set table look like?

With several dishes laid out on one table, the whole thing looked abundant. It really did feel like a table packed full, true to its name.

And then the ₩30,000 whole octopus stir-fry arrived!

Among the side dishes, crisp and refreshing white kimchi came first.

Whole fried flounder

The flounder was fried whole, so it made quite an impression when it landed on the table.

With the crispy surface and the plump shape of the fish left intact, I could tell at a glance what it was. Picking the flesh apart with chopsticks, the outside was crispy and the inside soft and delicious.

Mukbap, the chilled acorn jelly soup

Mukbap, known for its cool broth and soft jelly texture, was a nice thing to have alongside the meal.

How did the flame-grilled whole octopus stir-fry taste?

The main dish I was most looking forward to this meal: the flame-grilled whole octopus stir-fry.

The moment it landed on the table, the flame-grilled whole octopus stir-fry looked appetizing. The sauce coated the octopus well, and the charcoal-grilled character really came through — the kind of dish you want to eat with rice.

Picking up a piece of octopus with my chopsticks, I could feel how tender it was.

And octopus really is best eaten with the rice bowl, haha.

The savory depth of the sauce made it great with rice. The charcoal aroma added extra flavor to the octopus stir-fry.

Who should visit Bonghyejane in Jongno, and when?

I thought this was a great spot for a day when you want a filling, Korean-centered meal with several dishes at once — or for a lunch appointment at Jongno Tower.