Army stew restaurant in Ochang, Cheongju: copper-plate beef bulgogi

I was out near Cheongju with my kid today and heard there was a handmade ham restaurant that makes everything without preservatives or artificial coloring, so we went to check it out. Let me start my visit record for Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae Ochang Main Branch, already famous as a budae jjigae (army stew) spot in Cheongju👍

• Hours (daily) 10:30 ~ 21:20
• Last order 20:40 / Break time 16:00~17:00

Is parking easy at Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae in Ochang?

Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae Ochang Main Branch has a spacious dedicated parking lot behind the building. We stopped by for dinner before heading home, and I didn't have to worry about parking at all.

There's a stand-up sign introducing Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae. No preservatives, no artificial coloring, no starch, plus a low-sodium recipe — and they've been in the same spot for a whopping 15 years since 2011. That's honestly not easy to pull off, so I was really impressed.

I totally agree that it's the best-selling spot in Cheongju!

How big is the interior for family dinners and group meals?

The dining hall at Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae Ochang Main Branch has plenty of tables with generous spacing, so it's great for group gatherings or company dinners too. Walking in, the first thing you notice is all the award certificates on display — we clearly found the real deal for budae jjigae in Cheongju👍

The wide-open interior hall really stood out. With so many tables and such generous spacing, it seemed perfect for group gatherings or company dinners too.

At the self-bar tucked in one corner of the restaurant, there are savory side dishes plus plenty of ramen noodles and rice ready to go.

And get this — the budae jjigae and hot pot dishes at this Ochang favorite come with unlimited rice and ramen refills. Where else can you find this kind of value👍

The restaurant thoughtfully has baby chairs ready, and besides the healthy handmade-ham budae jjigae, there's a whole range of dishes kids love too, like beef bulgogi hot pot and tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties). If you're looking for a family dining spot in Ochang to bring your kid to, I highly recommend this place!

How is the new Gorae Daewang Kkot Sogogi Bulgogi served and eaten?

Gorae Daewang Kkot Sogogi Bulgogi (grand flower beef bulgogi) is the restaurant's new menu item, served with bright red beef and handmade ham arranged dramatically in a flower shape on the plate. The signature dish is the Gorae Jeongtong Kkot Budae Jjigae, loaded with handmade ham, but since I wanted to feed my daughter some beef bulgogi for a change, I ordered the flower beef bulgogi first.

Just look at that color on the beef — doesn't it look so fresh?

Must-read tips on how to enjoy the Gorae Daewang Kkot Sogogi Bulgogi👍 First, spread the flower bulgogi out wide on the copper plate, then

once the meat is cooked, move it down so it doesn't burn. Pair the well-cooked beef bulgogi with the vegetables soaking in the broth

and dip it in the special sauce before eating.

Soaking up that shallow hot-pot broth is so delicious~ The bulgogi, well seasoned throughout, has a savory depth of flavor while staying incredibly tender.

Piling this meat over warm rice like this is basically a rice thief!

I also tried the handmade ham in the hot pot — just look at that clean, healthy-looking color. And the taste is so savory and delicious too! Turns out this handmade-ham budae jjigae restaurant is also great at beef bulgogi hot pot. They could easily be called a beef bulgogi spot in Ochang👍

What does the Gorae Jeongtong Kkot Budae Jjigae broth taste like?

The Gorae Jeongtong Kkot Budae Jjigae has a broth that's not greasy at all — really clean and light. Since we'd come all the way to a well-known Ochang budae jjigae spot in Cheongju, we couldn't skip the signature dish, so we ordered the Gorae Jeongtong Kkot Budae Jjigae as well.

Usually budae jjigae gets greasy or the broth thickens the more you eat, but likely thanks to the handmade ham, this one stayed clear and clean throughout.

The handmade ham made in-house at Gorae Budae Jjigae isn't salty or overpowering like mass-produced ham — the more you chew, the more savory it gets, and it's just excellent.

Since it's low-sodium handmade ham made without preservatives or artificial coloring, I could feed it to my kid without any guilt and enjoy it with peace of mind.

Budae jjigae usually requires a minimum order of two servings, but here you can order a single serving too. So even solo diners can have a hearty meal — if you're looking for lunch options in Ochang, definitely give Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae Ochang Main Branch a try!

On your way out after the meal, be sure to grab coffee and ice cream for dessert at the dessert zone too~

Is this Ochang army stew restaurant worth a family visit?

Eating here, I could really feel why Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae, a well-known Cheongju budae jjigae spot, has held onto the same location for 15 years. The new Gorae Daewang Kkot Sogogi Bulgogi was so delicious, and the healthy Gorae Jeongtong Kkot Budae Jjigae was fantastic too👍

If you're looking for a budae jjigae spot in Ochang, Cheongju that you can comfortably enjoy with your kids, how about Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae for your next family dinner in Ochang?