Jonggak Korean restaurant: octopus set and chicken nanban, Bonghyejane

Today I'm bringing you a detailed review of a new hot spot near Jonggak Station, Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch.

From the clean interior to the neatly plated food, this place felt perfect for an office worker's lunch, or just as good as a date-night spot.

Where is Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch, and what are the hours?

Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch is at 51 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, basement 2nd floor of Jongno Tower, units B206 and B207. Hours are Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00 (break 15:00–16:30, last order 20:00), Sat–Sun 11:00–20:00 (break 15:00–16:30, last order 19:00), closed Sep 25 for Chuseok.

It's inside Jongno Tower.

The menu board.

What I ordered / Nakji-bokkeum jeongsik ₩16,000 / Chicken nanban ₩8,000 / Zero Coke ₩2,000

What is the Jongno Tower basement restaurant like inside?

Located in the basement of Jongno Tower, Bonghyejane stands out from the outside with its sign reading 'Bonghyeja's Specialty Kitchen,' and it looks clean and polished.

Step inside and the uniquely patterned tile floor paired with stylish lighting gives the place a trendy feel.

When I visited, a TV crew was filming and the place was packed with customers.

The restaurant is really clean.

Menu slides (swipe sideways for more options). Each table has a tablet for ordering, which is super convenient.

On a wooden shelf, paper cups and sesame oil are neatly arranged — cold-pressed mill-style Bonghyeja sesame oil.

What comes with the 16,000 won octopus stir-fry set?

The signature dish at Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch is the nakji-bokkeum jeongsik (spicy stir-fried octopus set) for ₩16,000, a full spread with stir-fried octopus, perilla soup, and side dishes. I also added the chicken nanban side for ₩8,000.

The 'nakji-bokkeum jeongsik' looked mouthwatering. I ordered the signature octopus stir-fry set along with the chicken nanban side.

Soon a generously loaded set arrived. The deep brown stir-fried octopus, with thick-cut octopus and vegetables tossed in a spicy sauce, was mouthwatering just to look at. Fragrant chives on top added a nice visual touch.

Side dishes and the nutty perilla seed soup at Bonghyejane Jubang

Along with the octopus stir-fry, the set came with a savory perilla soup topped with plenty of black sesame powder, sweet pumpkin soup, baek-kimchi (white kimchi), candied peanuts, and other neatly arranged side dishes.

The perilla soup in particular was perfect for tempering the spiciness of the octopus stir-fry. The rice came in a wide bowl with roasted seaweed flakes and lettuce already added — a thoughtful touch for mixing it with the octopus stir-fry.

How spicy and smoky is the stir-fried octopus?

Now it's time to actually dig in. I piled a generous amount of the octopus stir-fry on top of the rice and drizzled in the fragrant sesame oil from the table.

Adding a crispy sheet of seaweed and mixing it all together, the spicy kick and a subtle smoky flavor filled my mouth — it was excellent. The octopus was chewy but never tough, with great texture, and the sauce wasn't overly harsh but had a savory depth that kept me reaching for more.

Is the 8,000 won chicken nanban side worth adding?

Soft tartar sauce meets crispy chicken — chicken nanban.

The chicken nanban I ordered as a side didn't disappoint either. Crispy fried chicken sat on fresh lettuce, generously topped with yellow tartar sauce, making for an appetizing visual.

The chicken paired with the tangy, sweet tartar sauce delivered pure happiness in every bite. It also went great alongside the spicy octopus stir-fry.

Flavor, atmosphere and value at this Jonggak Korean restaurant

Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch was a place to enjoy neatly prepared Korean food in a clean setting. The smoky octopus stir-fry and soft chicken nanban had flavors that people of all ages would enjoy, and given the generous portions, the prices felt reasonable — overall, a satisfying meal.

If you're near Jonggak Station looking for a hearty lunch or an atmospheric dinner, I'd recommend Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch.