Solo dining budae jjigae in Ilwon-dong, Gangnam: Uncle Budae Jjigae

Ilwon-dong's food street is packed with good restaurants, and it's actually a spot my husband and I visit often for dinner — but this time we spotted an orange sign we'd never seen before! Turned out to be a budae jjigae (army stew) specialty restaurant, and since that's already one of my favorite dishes, there was no way I could just walk past what looked like a promising new spot haha. So we went and checked out the newly opened 'Uncle Budae Jjigae Ilwon Branch.'

Location, hours, and parking at Uncle Budae Jjigae Ilwon Branch

• 📍 Location: 40 Ilwon-ro 9-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 102 (10-min walk from Daecheong Station, 10-min walk from Samsung Medical Center)
• ⏰ Hours: 11:00 – 21:00 (break time 15:00 – 17:00)
• 🅿️ Parking: Available in front of the restaurant (very tight, so public parking lots are recommended)
• 📝 Reservations: Available via Naver Reservation

An orange sign, and a budae jjigae spot where solo dining works

The orange sign outside was the first thing that caught my eye! Even though I walk this food street often, it stood out from a distance and immediately signaled that this was a new place.

Personally, what I loved was that solo dining is possible here! Budae jjigae usually requires ordering at least two servings or eating with a group, which can make it feel like a bit much to have alone — but at 'Uncle Budae Jjigae Ilwon Branch,' you can dine solo, which felt like a real advantage.

Inside, the interior was also decorated around orange, giving it a cohesive yet clean and comfortable atmosphere. Everything from the aprons to the lids on the budae jjigae pots matched in orange, which really made the most of the restaurant's color identity! There were also plenty of tables, so it looked like a good spot for dining with a group too!

The menu — why was there no ramen noodles listed?

Once seated, we looked over the menu and found more variety than expected haha. From the original Uncle Budae Jjigae to woo samgyeop (beef brisket), jjamppong-style, mala, beef intestine, and even sirloin budae jjigae — so many options that it took us a while to decide haha.

Then, checking the side menu, something confused us — ramen noodles, which I assumed would obviously be on a budae jjigae menu, weren't listed anywhere...?? I was thrown off for a second, but I'll explain below why ramen noodles weren't on the menu haha.

After some deliberation, we decided to go with the most basic flavor and ordered Uncle Budae Jjigae (2 servings, ₩26,000) and an Egg Roll (₩9,900)! Haha.

Unlimited ramen noodles & self-serve side dishes

Another thing I loved about 'Uncle Budae Jjigae Ilwon Branch' was that the ramen noodles were unlimited!!!! The three basic side dishes were also more than just an afterthought — they actually tasted good — and it was surprising that everyone got their own individual pat of butter. I'll reveal what that butter is for soon!

There was a self-serve side dish corner, so it was convenient to grab as much as you needed on your own, and right next to it you could also freely grab ramen noodles and broth yourself! Haha. Sometimes it feels a bit awkward to ask for extra ramen noodles or side dishes when ordering, but since you could just help yourself to everything, the whole meal felt relaxed!

Uncle Budae Jjigae, the standout butter rice, and egg rolls

Uncle Budae Jjigae

Here's the Uncle Budae Jjigae (2 servings) we ordered! The pot was generously loaded with two kinds of ham, sausage, and even bacon, and once it started bubbling, that signature spicy, rich budae jjigae aroma rose up! Haha. I tried the broth first — it wasn't overly harsh, and the salty flavor blended nicely with the spiciness!

Of course, budae jjigae isn't complete without ramen noodles. So in went the self-serve ramen right away!! Haha. Budae jjigae naturally gets richer the longer it simmers, and as the noodles cooked, the broth deepened even more — eating those chewy noodles soaked in that broth was so good! Haha.

Butter rice

I wondered how exactly you were supposed to eat the butter that came with the side dishes, and then I noticed instructions posted prominently in the restaurant! You put the butter on warm rice, add some broth and ham, and mix it all together — and this combination was seriously delicious! With the rich, smooth flavor of the butter mixed in, the butter rice was a total standout dish! Haha. If you order budae jjigae, don't just eat the broth with plain rice — I strongly recommend trying it as butter rice at least once haha.

Egg roll

The thick egg roll looked delicious just from its appearance, and its soft, moist texture made it a perfect match with the spicy budae jjigae! While the stew is spicy and salty, the egg roll is soft and mild, so they complement each other's gaps — I'd definitely recommend ordering it alongside the stew!

Overall verdict

Since I already love budae jjigae, just hearing that 'Uncle Budae Jjigae Ilwon Branch' had opened made me happy, but after actually eating there, the taste was great and I got curious about the other menu items too — this feels like a place I'll come back to! I especially loved that the Uncle Budae Jjigae comes with rich, spicy broth and unlimited ramen noodles, and it was a great dish to pair with standout sides like the butter rice and egg roll! Haha.

Since it's a budae jjigae spot where solo dining is possible, it seems like a comfortable option for anyone nearby looking for a place to eat alone, or when you suddenly crave budae jjigae but have no one to go with! Next time, I'll have to try a different budae jjigae variety and compare it to the original Uncle Budae Jjigae! Haha.