Cheongju Korean restaurant for rainy-day beef bulgogi: Ojangdong Heungnamjip

Warm Korean beef bulgogi for a rainy day

As the weather has gradually turned cooler lately, I keep craving warm food rather than cold food. Especially when it is raining, I want nothing more than a bowl of rice with hot broth—and this was exactly that kind of day.

I visited Ojangdong Heungnamjip Cheongju Branch (오장동흥남집 청주점), famous in Cheongju for its naengmyeon (cold noodles). It serves traditional Hamheung-style naengmyeon, so it is especially loved by older diners.

It had been raining quite a bit since morning and was a little chilly, but lots of people were still enjoying naengmyeon. Just as many were having Korean beef bulgogi, and plenty were having both bulgogi and naengmyeon. If only we had had one more person, we could have ordered naengmyeon to share too. Next time, I definitely want to have naengmyeon again—it has been a while.

Tablet ordering and the menu

You can order easily using the tablet placed at every table.

Ojangdong Heungnamjip Cheongju menu

• Mul naengmyeon (cold noodles): ₩12,000
• Onmyeon (hot noodles): ₩12,000
• Korean beef gukbap (rice soup): ₩12,000
• Small Korean beef suyuk (boiled beef): ₩35,000
• Small ganjaemi hoe-muchim (seasoned skate salad): ₩18,000

Starting with hot broth from the self-service bar

As soon as we got settled and ordered, I went straight to the self-service bar for hot broth. Of course it is tasty even in midsummer, but it somehow gets more delicious as the weather cools down—magic, haha. I am sure it will be even better when it gets colder. How good would it be, blowing on it on a cold day~?

I like it plain, while my husband likes to shake in some pepper. Enjoy it however you like.

Two portions of Korean beef bulgogi

Two portions of Korean beef bulgogi (₩25,000 per serving), with rice ordered separately.

At first, the meat arrives gathered in a round mound, so it can seem like there is not much. But as you slowly enjoy it with rice and vegetables, the amount is just right.

How should you arrange the Korean beef bulgogi?

In the pot—well, in the indented sections on both sides—they place mushrooms, dangmyeon (glass noodles), scallions, onions, and more.

The Korean beef bulgogi goes in the center. It feels a little like a mash-up of a meat grill and a hot-pot pan. Oh? Come to think of it, isn't this exactly like Thai mookata? Hahaha. The seasoning would be different, of course. I have to try mookata on my next trip to Bangkok, haha. The interesting thing about Ojangdong Heungnamjip's Korean beef bulgogi is that sometimes a staff member puts all the meat in the pan for you, and other times they simply leave it for you to do. I was flustered about what to do on my first visit, but you just put the vegetables and glass noodles into the broth section below, then spread the meat thinly over the top as though grilling it.

And then you end up with food that looks like this. Just look at that lovely Korean beef quality. Is there really anyone who dislikes sweet bulgogi? Haha. It is Seoul-style bulgogi, served hot-pot style and left to bubble away at the table, so it suited this cool weather perfectly. Since it was raining that day, it felt even warmer and tastier. Nice choice of menu.

The side dishes are presented so neatly, and all the kimchi is made in-house, so every kind was delicious. The red napa-cabbage water kimchi was clean-tasting and perfect with the sweet meat, while the dongchimi (radish water kimchi) broth was wonderfully refreshing too.

It is the ultimate rice thief~~~ As you stir the meat around and cook it, the color changes. That is the moment to turn down the heat and eat it for beautifully tender bulgogi.

It is so good eaten just like this, and it is also delicious dipped lightly in the broth for a juicy bite—again, whatever you prefer~

There is also a seasoned vegetable salad served alongside, and it goes unbelievably well with the bulgogi.

My husband said it also paired perfectly with the scallion kimchi, haha. Enjoy Korean beef bulgogi according to your own tastes!

Bulgogi that makes you finish the broth too

The bulgogi alone was delicious, but as the broth gently simmered, it drew out flavor from the vegetables and meat, making the broth delicious too. Topping rice with a piece of meat and my favorite vegetables made me completely forget that I had briefly debated getting onmyeon. It is a dish everyone, young and old, would enjoy, so I think this is an especially nice place for a family meal.