Ochang, Cheongju army stew for two with handmade tteokgalbi patties

Budae jjigae in Ochang, Cheongju: Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae Ochang Main Branch

When I was craving a hearty, spicy budae jjigae (army stew) in Ochang, Cheongju, I went looking for a good spot and ended up at Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae Ochang Main Branch. What stood out most was exactly what the name says — handmade ham. Unlike typical budae jjigae restaurants, this place makes its own ham, and you can really see the variety of ham types packed into the stew, which makes it look generous even before you dig in.

Location and parking

The restaurant is on the road toward the Ochang Science Industrial Complex post office, and parking is available behind the building.

The stacks of ramen noodle bundles piled up at every table are unlimited refill — loved that!!

There's also a review event running, so give that a try~!!

What we ordered for two: Flower Ribs Companion Set (2 people) — 2 flower stew + 1 tteokgalbi

This time we ordered Gorae Budae Jjigae's signature menu, the Flower Ribs Companion Set (2 people): 2 flower stew + 1 tteokgalbi. It's supposedly the #1 most ordered item, so my expectations were high — and it's a combo of the restaurant's flagship Signature Authentic Flower Budae Jjigae with juicy handmade tteokgalbi, which made it the perfect order for two people.

Signature Authentic Flower Budae Jjigae (serves 2) + tteokgalbi

The flower-shaped arrangement, matching the 'flower' budae jjigae, was so cute.

The stew arrives in the pot and simmers right at the table, so you get to enjoy it piping hot. The broth overall had a rich, savory flavor that really impressed me. The umami from the ham blended beautifully with the deep broth, making it perfect with rice.

Handmade tteokgalbi and a variety of handmade hams

We also tried the handmade tteokgalbi that comes with the Flower Ribs Companion Set (2 people) — 2 flower + 1 tteokgalbi. Budae jjigae alone can feel a little lacking, but adding the tteokgalbi made the whole spread feel much more substantial. It was juicy and tender, pairing really well with the stew.

What really stood out was the variety of handmade hams, which you don't usually see in a regular budae jjigae — it was fun picking through and trying each one. Each ham had a slightly different texture and flavor, so it never felt like eating the same thing over and over, which I really liked.

Above all, using their own handmade ham really sets this place apart from other budae jjigae restaurants. With so many varieties of ham and that distinctive handmade flavor, it felt different from the usual budae jjigae. The longer it simmers, the richer the broth gets — mixed into rice, it's absolutely delicious.

How do the unlimited rice, ramen noodle, and broth refills work?

Another thing I liked while eating was being able to get unlimited refills of rice, ramen noodles, and broth. When you're eating budae jjigae, there are times you run low on broth or want to add more ramen noodles — being able to freely refill without hesitation was really great. Adding ramen noodles to that rich, savory broth in particular was a real treat, since the noodles soak up all that flavor. And if the rice runs out, you can easily get more, which made for a really filling meal.

Topped off with soft-serve ice cream for dessert

If you're ever craving a rich, savory budae jjigae in Ochang, Cheongju and want somewhere to enjoy it generously with a variety of handmade hams, this place is worth checking out. If you're looking for a great budae jjigae restaurant in Cheongju, it's worth a visit, and if you're looking for somewhere to eat around Ochang, I'd recommend it as a top Ochang, Cheongju budae jjigae spot too.

On our way out, there was soft-serve ice cream at the entrance!!!+_+ Being able to enjoy ice cream for dessert too made the whole meal even more satisfying. This was Handmade Ham Gorae Budae Jjigae Ochang Main Branch, an Ochang, Cheongju budae jjigae spot that's even more delicious thanks to all that handmade ham :)