Seocho Korean restaurant solo meal: Bapjangin's spicy squid

I had a reason to visit Express Bus Terminal Station for the first time in ages. Looking for somewhere nice for a light solo meal before shopping, I found a rice restaurant that was exactly my style. It was Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch!

Squid takes more prep than you might think, so it is not something I make often—and suddenly I was really craving spicy squid stir-fry. I had been wanting Korean food for a while too, so without hesitation, let’s go-!

Bapjangin in the underground dining area at Express Bus Terminal Station

Getting there and the exterior

It is in the B1 dining area of Express Bus Terminal Station. It is opposite Shinsegae Factory, so it was not difficult to find.

As you walk along the underground passage, it naturally catches your eye, so it looked like a great place to duck into for a quick meal when there is an awkward amount of time left before your bus. I never expected to find such a hearty Korean rice restaurant at the terminal, haha. The restaurant looked quite large and pleasant too. There were lots of solo diners!

Solo seats and table seating

One thing I liked was that there were plenty of seats that made solo dining easy. The individual seats were set up well, so people dining alone could eat comfortably without feeling self-conscious.

There were also several tables for three or four people, so it looked easy enough to come casually with neighborhood friends. The casual, no-pressure setting suits the terminal crowds who need to eat quickly and get going. Clean and comfortable!

Each table has a kiosk, so ordering is easy~

Bapjangin menu and what I ordered

• Jjageuli (thick, reduced stew), clean potato stew, and spicy kimchi stew — ₩12,000 each
• Savory brisket sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew) — ₩15,000
• Bulgogi stir-fry with lots of smoky flavor — ₩14,000
• Sizzling spicy squid stir-fry — ₩18,000
• Tofu kimchi — ₩20,000
• 1-person Spam set — ₩13,500 / 2-person Spam set — ₩27,000
• 2-person full table set — ₩39,000 / 3-person full table set — ₩49,000

The little water jug was so cute, haha.

Seaweed flakes to sprinkle over rice = magical appetite-boosting seaweed flakes 🖤 🍚 I ordered these two: spicy squid stir-fry and brisket sundubu-jjigae. One spicy protein dish plus the punchy soft-tofu broth I already love sounded like the perfect combination.

Sweet-and-spicy sizzling squid stir-fry

The smell of sweet-and-spicy seasoning hit me as soon as I sat down. With the first bite, I could immediately taste how thoroughly the squid had absorbed the sauce. The squid was springy and chewy, with a great bite.

The sweet-and-spicy seasoning was not overly intense, but it had a definite savory depth—an instant rice thief.

It was absolutely fantastic with the seaweed flakes!

Anyone who loves squid stir-fry or sweet-and-spicy seasoning would totally be into this!

This is the kind of Korean comfort-food restaurant everyone can enjoy! Seasoned roasted seaweed flakes came as a basic side, and they were so good!! Sprinkle them over rice and the nutty flavor really comes alive. Koreans simply cannot resist the combination of red-seasoned food and nutty seaweed flakes-! It is a combination anyone would enjoy, and I kept reaching for more.

The portion was surprisingly generous too, so I had a really satisfying meal.

Brisket soft tofu stew bubbling with heat

It arrived bubbling away in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot), and the red broth looked perfectly punchy at first glance. As soon as I took a spoonful, its spicy aroma rose right up.

The soft tofu was fluffy and tender, and there were generous, big pieces of vegetables and tofu, making it fun to chew too.

It is already a dish I love, but this sundubu-jjigae was even more filling because it came with plenty of vegetables. The broth was perfect for polishing off a whole bowl of rice in no time. If you love soft tofu stew, it is worth dropping by at least once for its punchy broth.

A meal before or after shopping and bus travel

With solo-friendly seats and plenty of tables for three or four people, it was a great place to come casually with friends too. It is in just the right spot to fill up before going shopping, and it is easy to stop by before or after taking a bus. When you are wondering what to eat, I would recommend Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch as a Korean rice restaurant at Express Bus Terminal. ♥︎