Daejeon octopus stir-fry, limited whole octopus special: Chongil Nakji

Looking for a proper octopus stir-fry (nakji-bokkeum) in Daejeon?

In my experience, octopus stir-fry usually means either "so spicy it just hurts my stomach" or "so little seafood that I end up chewing vegetables." Chongil Nakji (촌길낙지) Tanbang branch, which I visited this time, was packed with a smoky sauce, a whole octopus, small octopus, scallops and even beef, and I left really satisfied.

Chongil Nakji Tanbang Branch in 3 Lines

Let me give you the conclusion first, in three lines!

• The Chongil Assorted Special comes as a full course: whole octopus, small octopus, scallops, beef, soy bulgogi, cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) and somyeon (thin wheat noodles).
• With 3 spice levels, everyone from spice wimps to heat fanatics can enjoy it without worry.
• It's a neat, tidy restaurant that fits anyone looking for a place near Lotte Department Store in Daejeon or a date-course meal near Hanbat Arboretum.

Chongil Nakji Tanbang Branch: Location and Hours

Basic info for Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch

• 📍23-19 Gyeryong-ro 571beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Unit 105
• ⏰️11:00-21:00 (Note: there's a wait from 11:30!)
• ✔️Break time 15:00-17:00
• ✔️Closed every Sunday

How to Get There from the Nearest Subway Station and Bus Terminal

By subway: It's about an 8-10 minute walk from Exit 1 of Tanbang Station on Daejeon Subway Line 1. It's in the back-street area behind Lotte Department Store Daejeon, so it's a great spot to stop by after shopping.

By bus from the terminal: If you're starting from Daejeon Complex Terminal, take a city bus (such as No. 102 or 105) and get off at a stop near Lotte Department Store, around Yongmun or Tanbang Station. It's within a 5-minute walk from there.

Exterior and Kiosk Ordering

At the entrance, a big banner and sign catch your eye. Perks like yeonpo-tang (octopus soup) and a beef shabu-shabu set, plus a note about free ssam vegetables, are written across the front of the shop.

Inside, there's a clean brick interior and a "kiosk ordering machine." Both dine-in and takeout (To Go) orders can be placed easily through the kiosk, which was convenient.

Chongil Nakji Menu and Spice Level Tips

The menu ranges from single dishes to hearty set meals. The lineup is so generous that it looked perfectly good for a family meal or a company dinner too.

🌶️ Spice level tips

• Mild: Almost no heat, recommended for kids or anyone who can't handle spicy food at all
• Medium: Pleasantly spicy, about like Shin Ramyun (most recommended!)
• Spicy: About like Buldak Bokkeum Myeon (fire noodles), for the heat-lovers

Order: Chongil Assorted Special (medium spice) + somyeon (1)

The Signature "Chongil Assorted Special" Spread

The moment I saw the table filled to the brim, I couldn't help but gasp.

White rice in a big bowl made for mixing, soft cheonggukjang, bean sprouts, seasoned radish, ssam vegetables, and soy bulgogi as a bonus too! I was won over by the generosity before the main dish even arrived.

1. An Overwhelming Sight: Whole Octopus Meets Small Octopus

I didn't know at first, but the moment the main plate arrived I was startled to see a huge whole octopus sitting right in the middle. Sprinkled with sesame seeds and giving off a strong smoky aroma, it felt wonderfully springy when I lifted a leg with the tongs.

When I actually ate it, neither the octopus nor the small octopus was tough at all; the texture was very moist and tender. Perhaps because it's stir-fried fast over high heat, the sauce doesn't just sit on the surface but soaks right in.

2. Scallops, Beef, and a Sauce Full of Smoky Flavor

Besides the octopus, there were chewy scallops and savory beef too, so the textures were wonderfully varied. I ordered medium spice, and it was pleasantly sharp with a rich savoriness filling my mouth, enough to melt the stress away.

Tossing the side somyeon noodles in the sauce was a treat too.

3. How to Eat It: Wrap It Up or Mix It Up!

• ✔️Perilla leaf + lettuce wrap: Top a fresh perilla leaf with nicely grilled beef and a plump piece of octopus, wrap it up, and the fragrance and the heat come together.
• ✔️Bowl bibimbap: Put bean sprouts, seasoned radish and plenty of the octopus stir-fry sauce on the rice in the bowl and mix it up. Add a spoonful of cheonggukjang broth and the savoriness doubles.

Chongil Nakji Tanbang Branch: Overall Review and Recommendation

• ✔️If you're looking for a good place near Lotte Department Store in Daejeon,
• ✔️or want a hearty meal after a trip to Hanbat Arboretum, I highly recommend "Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch."

Beyond the main stir-fry's outstanding smoky flavor and fresh texture, cheonggukjang and soy bulgogi come along too, so the value was excellent. After mixing up a bowl of rice with that spicy sauce, you'll feel like you've had a proper health-boosting meal^^