Army stew lunch after a weekend workout at Seongsu Station: Songtan

They say dieting is about what you eat, not how much you exercise, but I'm someone who can't give up delicious food, so I decided to work out hard and still enjoy good restaurants~ Today I'm introducing an army stew place in Seongsu that I visited with friends after our weekend morning workout: Songtan Jindaegwang Budae Jjigae Seongsu Branch! I'd been wondering what to have for lunch, and maybe because it was right after exercising, this place really hit the spot.

Where is Songtan Jindaegwang Budae Jjigae Seongsu Branch?

It's about a 1-minute walk from Exit 1 of Seongsu Station? That close. I loved how near it is.

With a jaw-dropping 20% discount on takeout, I'll probably be back again soon just for that.

This was a notice posted on the stairs up to the 2nd floor. The line saying they will never skimp on sausages, even if the restaurant goes under, was memorable! Of course, I forgot all about that line when ordering and added the assorted sausages anyway.

Up on the 2nd floor, you'll find the restaurant entrance with its unusual interior.

What are the interior and self-serve bar like, and when is it busy?

The first thing you see when you walk into Songtan Jindaegwang Budae Jjigae Seongsu Branch is the self-serve bar. You can take extra side dishes however you like and as much as you like, which is handy~

We happened to arrive right at opening time, so it was quiet, but since it's a popular army stew spot in Seongsu, I think it could get crowded at peak times like weekday lunch or weekend evenings. If you're going as a big group, it's better to book, right?

Menu and prices: 3-person army stew ₩39,000, assorted sausage add-on ₩9,000

Just so you know before you go, orders start at 2 servings. Ramen noodles aren't included, but rice and side dishes are unlimited. Personally, I'm not someone who eats that much ramen, so I find this kind of setup more satisfying.

We ordered the 3-person army stew (₩39,000) and added the assorted sausages (₩9,000) and ramen noodles.

Tips on the table for eating it better

Each table has tips for enjoying the stew more. Don't pour in all the broth at once; add it little by little as it boils and the seasoning stays consistent to the end. Add the ramen noodles after you've eaten a fair amount of the ham and sausages, so you get them when the broth is at its richest.

There's also a Naver review event, and you can take part for each person at the table, so if three of you go, you can get all three rewards, right?

How were the side dishes?

Honestly, I didn't expect much from the side dishes here, but they were neat and tasty, and my chopsticks kept going back. The tangy pickled onions refreshed my mouth in between bites, and the stir-fried fish cake was sweet and soft, easy to eat.

How does the stew taste with the assorted sausage add-on?

The first thing that caught my eye when the army stew arrived was how generous it looked! Ham and sausages covered the whole pot, with shredded ham piled generously on top, so it felt hearty just to look at.

I was really glad we added the assorted sausages. With thin sausages, ham and thick sausages, it was fun picking them out one by one, and each had a different texture so I never got tired of them. The springy sausages were juicy, and the ham soaked up the broth while adding a salty savoriness that made the broth even richer.

There was plenty of minced garlic, which added deep flavor to the spicy broth. It's not an army stew that's just spicy and harsh; the nutty garlic and savory depth shine through, so my spoon just kept going.

Halfway through, I topped it up with the broth from the kettle~

Is the ramen noodle add-on a must?

What I personally liked most at Songtan Jindaegwang Budae Jjigae Seongsu Branch was the ramen noodles! Above all, they didn't have the floury smell or astringent taste you sometimes get from ordinary ramen add-ons, which made them even better.

Thanks to the chewy, tender texture of Jin Ramyun, the broth clung to the noodles, and every mouthful came with the savoriness of ham and garlic, which was really satisfying. The saying that army stew isn't complete until you eat the ramen is spot on.

I'd been stuck on what to have for lunch in Seongsu and dropped in on a whim, but the portions were generous and the taste was great, so I enjoyed a proper, filling meal after my workout.