Cheongju octopus restaurant with parking: perilla stir-fry at Dotgabi

When your appetite dips, or stress piles up and you crave something fiery, what's the first dish that comes to mind? I don't even have to think: baby octopus (jjukkumi)! So here's my recommendation for a Jungnim-dong lunch spot: Dotgabi Bulzzukkumi (돗가비불쭈꾸미) Cheongju Branch 2.

If you've eaten your share of baby octopus in Cheongju, you may know it already, but I fell for the comfort and roominess that only Branch 2 has, haha. It's already well known as a Cheongju favorite that does baby octopus right!

Is parking easy at Dotgabi Bulzzukkumi Cheongju Branch 2?

Branch 2 has a proper parking lot and it's very spacious, so even new drivers can park comfortably. If you're coming by car, this is the first bit of good news. However good a restaurant is, difficult parking makes you hesitate before you even go! Here you can park without any worry.

A spacious interior for group gatherings

The interior of Branch 2 has generous space between tables and lots of seats, so it works for club dinners, big family gatherings and all kinds of group events. The open space catches your eye, and it felt much bigger and more comfortable than it looks from outside. I wondered if there's another place like it in Cheongju.

Can you choose the spice level of the hot plate baby octopus?

We ordered the hot plate baby octopus for 2, and one of the charms here is that you can choose the spice level. If you're looking for a baby octopus restaurant in Cheongju, come try the stir-fried baby octopus here!

If you handle spice very well, you can go fiery; if you're a bit weaker, you can adjust it to a pleasantly spicy level, so order to your taste.

Basic side dishes and the self-bar

Bean sprouts, seasoned vegetables, perilla leaves and dongchimi (radish water kimchi) come as standard! If you run low on sides during the meal, no need to feel awkward, just head to the self-bar. It was kept really clean, which made me trust the place.

Crunchy bean sprouts that go perfectly with spicy octopus, cool and tangy pickled radish wraps (ssambu), and fragrant perilla leaves are all stocked generously, so you can take as much as you like.

How did the hot plate baby octopus taste?

The baby octopus was plump and big, and I was surprised the moment it arrived. It was so chubby that you could see the freshness with your eyes even before it was cooked.

Once the heat was on and the octopus started cooking, the spicy aroma tickled my nose, and my mouth was already watering by then~

What impressed me most wasn't just the octopus but also the vegetables cooked with it, like the cabbage.

The cabbage, soaked through with the seasoning, had a crunchy texture quite different from the chewiness of the octopus! Its subtle sweetness blended with the spicy sauce to make an addictive savory depth.

The octopus itself wasn't tough and kept a springy bite, and with every chew the nutty juices and spicy sauce came together wonderfully.

Stir-fry it again with perilla leaves, plus a mayonnaise tip

The hot plate baby octopus is even better if you add perilla leaves and stir-fry it once more. I tossed the leaves in and mixed, and it tasted better, so I gave it another stir-fry! Since they bring the hot plate and burner, it's really easy to mix the leaves in at the table.

One tip special to Dotgabi is the mayonnaise served alongside! Dip the octopus, coated in spicy sauce, into the rich mayo and the heat mellows while the flavor gets much deeper.

Order a bowl of hot steamed rice too and you'll have a filling, satisfying meal. Visit Dotgabi Bulzzukkumi Branch 2, which does Cheongju stir-fried baby octopus well!