Dangjin squid restaurant: boiled squid set with parents, Ojjingeo

Today I'm writing about my visit to Ojjingeo Dangjin, a popular squid restaurant in Dangjin. I went with my parents, who love squid, and the moment the food arrived their chopsticks got busy. The clean interior, the neatly prepared side dishes and the main dishes made with fresh squid all left an impression. The atmosphere was relaxed for a family meal and it was a hearty, satisfying lunch, so let me walk you through it.

Where is Ojjingeo Dangjin, and what about parking?

Ojjingeo Dangjin (오찡어 당진점) is at 17 Cheongnyong-gil, at the start of the Daedeok-dong food alley in Dangjin, and you can use the public parking lots nearby. The red sign really stands out, so anyone living in Dangjin has probably walked past it at least once. There are several public lots around, so parking wasn't a worry, and after the meal it was easy to stroll the food alley or stop at a café.

• Hours: daily 11:00–22:00
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Closed: every Monday
• Groups welcome, takeout, reservations, baby chairs

Is it a good atmosphere for a family meal with parents?

The interior at Ojjingeo Dangjin is spacious and the tables are well spaced, so it was easy to eat and chat quietly with my parents. The first thing I noticed inside was how tidy everything was. The decor is clean and uncluttered, the staff greeted us brightly, and the space is bigger than I expected, so it looks fine for gatherings as well as family meals.

Since I was bringing my parents, I wanted to avoid anywhere too crowded or noisy. This place was lively enough but still comfortable, which put my mind at ease. With the tables spread out, there was no bumping into the next table and no conversation getting drowned out.

What should you order at Ojjingeo Dangjin the first time?

For a first visit, I recommend the Eo Set (어 SET), which comes with a medium squid hot pot, a large boiled squid (suyuk) and minari (water dropwort) pancake, so you can try the signature dishes in one go. The menu at Ojjingeo Dangjin has plenty of squid dishes, from hot pot to boiled squid, seasoned squid with vinegared chili sauce and blanched squid. There were so many choices that I deliberated for a long time, but I wanted my parents to taste a bit of everything, so I went with the Eo Set. If you can't decide whether to order dishes one by one, starting with the set to sample Ojjingeo's signature dishes seems like a good idea.

What side dishes come with the meal?

The side dishes at Ojjingeo Dangjin are familiar ones like white kimchi, sweet braised soybeans (kongjaban) and stir-fried fish cake, laid out neatly as soon as you sit down. They're nice to nibble on while waiting for the main dishes. The white kimchi stayed crisp and went well with the squid, and the fish cake had a gentle sweetness and savoriness that made it easy to keep picking at. My parents said the seasoning wasn't overdone, so they could eat comfortably, and their chopsticks kept going back to the side dishes. It was a clean, simple table setting that made me look forward to the mains even more.

How were the dishes in the Eo Set?

Minari pancake: fragrant and crispy to start

The first dish out from the Eo Set was the minari pancake (jeon), packed with minari, fragrant and crispy. It was fried crisp, which got the appetite going, and the slightly bitter minari with the nutty pancake was simply excellent. I enjoyed the minari texture in every bite, and my parents were impressed by its aroma and flavor and ate it happily.

Boiled squid: tender, not chewy

The boiled squid (suyuk) at Ojjingeo Dangjin comes gently cooked and sliced into bite-size pieces, and you dip it in chili vinegar sauce (chogochujang). The look of it was overwhelming from the start. The squid wasn't tough but tender, so my parents could eat it without any trouble. The mild, clean flavor of the squid with the sweet-spicy chogochujang worked so well that we kept reaching for more.

Squid hot pot: the spicy, refreshing signature

Last to arrive was the signature squid hot pot (jeongol) of Ojjingeo Dangjin, a spicy, refreshing broth dish loaded with squid, assorted vegetables and mushrooms. The generous look and the fragrant smell were wonderful, and the broth was deep and rich. That spicy, refreshing broth suits chilly weather perfectly. My parents loved the rich broth and each polished off a bowl of rice.

Is Ojjingeo Dangjin good for a glass of soju too?

The dishes at Ojjingeo Dangjin go really well with soju. The nutty minari pancake, the mild boiled squid and the spicy hot pot broth were more than enough to soften the bitterness of a shot of soju. Sharing a drink with my parents and chatting happily made the time even more meaningful. Ojjingeo's dishes go beyond simply tasty; it's a place where a glass of soju helps you make a special memory.

Ojjingeo Dangjin: overall verdict

With its clean, homey atmosphere, neat and tasty side dishes and a menu full of squid dishes, Ojjingeo Dangjin looked fine for families and groups alike. The hearty set menu you can enjoy with your parents is its pride. The fragrant minari pancake, tender boiled squid and spicy squid hot pot were each excellent. It pairs perfectly with soju, so I strongly recommend it to drinkers too. If you visit Dangjin, do stop by Ojjingeo and enjoy the charm of squid dishes!