Yuseong Korean restaurant for mild seafood braise: Seommaeul

Today, I visited a truly beloved local spot that has held its ground for an incredible 17 years near Sinseong-dong and Jaundong in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon! It was Seommaeul Agujjim & Nakjibokkeum (섬마을 아구찜&낙지볶음), famous by word of mouth for agujjim, seafood braises, and octopus stir-fry. This is not a place that is all flashy advertising—it cooks carefully with fresh seafood and ingredients, and I had a meal I genuinely did not regret~👍

Easy to find on the main road by Jaundae in Sinseong-dong

It is right on the main road by Jaundae in Sinseong-dong, so I think lots of people have probably noticed it while passing through this area!

Because it is on the main road, it was really easy to find, and there are a few parking spaces right in front of the building, making it convenient to visit by car too.

When I stepped inside, the restaurant was incredibly spacious and comfortable.

There are private rooms that can accommodate up to 20 people, so it seems perfect for family gatherings or company dinners too!

The menu is also full of seafood dishes that should appeal to just about everyone, so I would recommend it as a place for a group dinner.

Agujjim with octopus spice levels and a phone-reservation tip

Looking at the menu, it was packed with everything from the main braised dishes to meal options! For agujjim, agujjim with octopus, seafood braise, and abalone-and-octopus braise, you can choose from four spice levels: mild, regular (Shin Ramyun), spicy (Buldak), or extra spicy, which makes it easy to suit your taste. Meal dishes such as octopus stir-fry, abalone galbi-tang (beef short-rib soup), and pork-bone hangover soup were available too.

Since braised dishes can take a little while to prepare, call ahead to order before visiting, and you can enjoy a hot meal without waiting! I reserved by phone in advance too, and thankfully the food came out quickly, so I could dig in right away. I highly recommend reserving by phone beforehand! 👍

From the cabbage salad with nutty black-sesame dressing to stir-fried fish cake, mild shredded stir-fried potatoes, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and roasted seaweed flakes, every side dish was neat and delicious!

In particular, fluffy steamed egg arrived as a complimentary side, piping hot in an earthenware pot.

A generous small agujjim with octopus for two

Small agujjim with octopus

Finally, the agujjim with octopus we ordered arrived! We chose the small size for two people, but I was surprised by how generous it was even in the small size. Fresh, plump octopus and monkfish packed with meat were piled in generously with bean sprouts.

One bite in, the seasoning was not overly intense, yet it had that flavor that just clings to your palate.

It was not a sauce that tasted only strongly of artificial seasoning; the natural flavor of the fresh seafood came through, making me keep reaching for more. As expected from a Yuseong-gu seafood-braise specialist with 17 years of history, its depth of experience was. completely. evident.

The springy, chewy octopus, tender monkfish, and crisp bean sprouts went so well with the sauce. It was spicy and slightly sweet yet clean-tasting, with a savory flavor that anyone would enjoy.

Finishing with fried rice and homemade sikhye

These days, food eaten out can often be overly intense and heavy on seasoning, but I liked the gentler flavor at Seommaeul Agujjim more. And when you are nearly done with the agujjim with octopus... adding fried rice is absolutely essential! 🍚 (Why? Because it is delicious...😃)

The fried rice, nuttily stir-fried in the delicious braising sauce, has that irresistible flavor that keeps you eating even when you are full.

It was such a perfect finish that we scraped up every last bit from the bottom!

On the way out after the meal, the owner offered us a refreshing glass of homemade sikhye (sweet rice drink), made personally by the owner, for a lovely palate cleanser!! The sweet, chilled sikhye made the ending feel even cleaner. I was touched by the service, which felt full of care and kindness...♥️

Seommaeul Agujjim & Nakjibokkeum, loved for a long time near the main road by Jaundae in Sinseong-dong! With deeply flavored seasoning that is not overly intense, generous seafood, and spacious, comfortable private rooms, it is great for both a neat meal and a gathering. If you are looking for proper agujjim in Yuseong, Daejeon, I definitely recommend stopping by at least once!