Jonggak Korean lunch: gamtae gimbap with yuja sauce, Bonghyejane

Why Bonghyejane Jongno Tower for a Jonggak office lunch?

If you work near Jonggak Station, you know the daily 11 a.m. question: what on earth am I eating for lunch today? After all that agonizing, I went to the newly opened Bonghyejane Jubang (봉혜자네주방) Jongno Tower branch and had the octopus stir-fry set and gamtae gimbap.

Anyone working around Jonggak Station will relate, I'm sure. Every day at 11 a.m. I fall into the same deep worry: what am I supposed to eat for lunch today?

Central Jongno gets so much foot traffic that there are countless restaurants, but finding a proper lunch spot you can walk into without stress, with good taste, a fair price and a decent spread, is like picking a star out of the sky. With prices so high these days, the average lunch around Jonggak has crept up too, and anywhere decent means either a ridiculously long line or a wallet-hurting price tag. So I kept circling the same familiar, slightly disappointing places like a hamster on a wheel.

Then I heard some welcome news about a promising new place that had just opened: Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch.

Excited to have found a new office-lunch spot, I hurried over the moment lunchtime started.

Atmosphere and menu at Bonghyejane Jongno Tower

As a newly opened place, Bonghyejane Jongno Tower branch has a pleasant, clean interior and plenty of space between tables. On the menu, the byeolmibansang (specialty set meals) stood out as reasonably priced for Jonggak.

Stepping inside, I was impressed by how fresh and tidy everything looked, just what you'd expect from a new opening. The tables are spaced generously, so nearby office workers can eat and chat comfortably.

Above all, the first thing that caught my eye when I opened the menu was the byeolmibansang section. Considering how expensive a downtown office district like Jonggak is, the prices were more reasonable and the spreads more generous than I imagined, so it earned a pass on value before I even tasted anything.

After some deliberation, I ordered the octopus stir-fry set (nakji-bokkeum jeongsik), the signature lunch special, plus gamtae gimbap (seaweed rice roll) as a side that had piqued my curiosity.

The food came out faster than I expected, which is a real time-saver for busy office workers who can't spare a single minute of lunch.

How is the octopus stir-fry set, and can you adjust the spice?

The octopus stir-fry in Bonghyejane's set is spicy with a nice smoky wok flavor, and the octopus is thick and plump with a bouncy texture. You can adjust the spice level to your taste.

The octopus stir-fry, the main dish, was spicy with a smoky wok aroma the moment it hit the table, and it kicked my appetite into gear right away.

What I liked most was that the octopus was really thick and substantial, with a bouncy, satisfying bite every time I chewed.

Another big plus is that you can adjust the spice level to your own taste. Whether you can't handle spicy food or you want to blow off stress with a fiery kick, you can order to match your palate and mood, which was a thoughtful touch.

What does gamtae gimbap taste like dipped in yuja sauce?

Bonghyejane Jongno Tower branch's gamtae gimbap is a side dish of fragrant gamtae (a type of seaweed) packed with egg omelet strips, served with a bright yuja (citron) sauce. With little rice, it works as a diet-friendly choice too, and it cleanly cut the spiciness of the octopus.

The gamtae gimbap I ordered alongside was also a must-try, a real standout among the specialties here.

Inside the crisp, fragrant gamtae, it's packed with soft, fluffy egg omelet strips. With so little rice, it's perfect as a diet-friendly dish: fewer carbs and a solid hit of protein.

The moment I dipped the gimbap in the fresh yuja sauce served with it, I actually gasped. The sweet-tart citrus blended perfectly with the gamtae's faint scent of the sea and the mild, fluffy egg. It cleanly refreshed my mouth after the spicy octopus, a dream pairing for taste, nutrition and dieting all at once.

The mushroom perilla soup that comes with the set

Bonghyejane's octopus stir-fry set comes with mushroom perilla soup as standard. It's no token side: it's rich and nutty enough to be a main dish, and it was the real twist of this lunch.

The real surprise and delight came from an unexpected soup: the mushroom perilla soup (deulkkae-tang) that comes standard with the set.

At many restaurants the soup that comes with a set is just a formality to round things out, but this mushroom perilla soup was good enough to be a main dish on its own. The nutty, rich perilla flavor filled my mouth, and the chewy mushrooms added depth.

When my mouth started going numb from the spicy octopus seasoning, the soft, mild perilla soup soothed it perfectly, and the two dishes matched beautifully. Honestly, this soup alone is reason enough to pick this set.

Is it good for an evening team dinner or a drink?

Bonghyejane Jongno Tower branch prices its alcohol low compared with today's prices, and in the evening it offers a feast set (jan-chi-sang) good for groups. It looked great for a team dinner near Jongno or an after-work drink.

As I wrapped up the meal happily and looked around the restaurant, I noticed the alcohol prices were rarely cheap for these days. For a team dinner near Jongno or a light after-work drink with colleagues, it's hard to beat.

After a thoroughly satisfying lunch of spicy, plump octopus stir-fry, nutty mushroom perilla soup and yuja-dipped gamtae gimbap, I naturally wanted to come back for dinner.

Checking the menu, I found a generous feast set for evenings, great for coming with a group and eating well. I plan to come back soon with my coworkers after work and have a casual drink with the evening feast set.

The pumpkin porridge was sweet perfection too!

Who is Bonghyejane Jongno Tower branch for?

I recommend Bonghyejane Jongno Tower branch to Jonggak office workers worn out by the daily lunch dilemma. If you want spicy octopus stir-fry, nutty perilla soup and fresh gamtae gimbap at a fair price, go give it a try.

I recommend Bonghyejane Jongno Tower branch to Jonggak office workers who have struggled to find a truly satisfying meal in the grind of daily life.

If you want a filling, proper meal at a reasonable price, or you want to experience the great combo of pleasantly spicy octopus, nutty perilla soup and fresh gamtae gimbap yourself, definitely stop by!

A perfect Jonggak find

Every dish made with real care!

Another happy meal today!