Changwon seafood stew with refillable boiled potatoes: Dwaeji Jogae

Today I went to the place that's always the first to come to mind in Changwon whenever I crave a cool, deep seafood broth and a hearty pile of seafood.

Where Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch is and when it opens

Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch is at B1, 20-3 Wonidae-ro 473beon-gil, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam, South Korea, in the basement of the credit union building near the entrance of Bansong Market. Hours are 12:00–22:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00.

You can enjoy fresh clams, abalone, octopus and meat all in one pot — genuinely a Bansong Market restaurant worth raving about.

A warm, lively local restaurant vibe tucked into the Bansong Market alleys. Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch is in the basement of the credit union building right at the market entrance — just head down the stairs and you're there.

The staff are kind, and the food is good too — Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch delivers on both fronts!

Side dishes and the refillable boiled potatoes

Among the basic side dishes at Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch, there's one you absolutely cannot skip: the boiled potatoes. Before the main seafood stew arrives, the basic side dishes are set out, and these 'boiled potatoes' are the standout among standouts.

Fluffy, sweet, and utterly addictive boiled potatoes!

The potatoes were piping hot and perfectly fluffy, seasoned through with such a sweet-salty balance that I fell in love the moment I tasted them and refilled them right away haha. I actually thought, 'I wish they'd sell just these boiled potatoes separately at Bansong Market!' They were so good I polished off the whole plate in no time while waiting for the main dish.

What comes in the 99,000 won Special Large

What I ordered at Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch was the 'Special Large (₩99,000)', made up of abalone, water dropwort, octopus and beef brisket. It arrived so full it looked like it might overflow the huge pot.

Overwhelming visuals and great value!

From big, plump, freshness-bursting abalone to chewy octopus, fragrant water dropwort, savory beef brisket, and all sorts of clams filling the bottom of the pot — the composition was really something else!

To be able to enjoy such a variety of premium seafood and meat this generously at this price given today's prices — it really earns its status as a true clam specialist restaurant in Bansong-dong, an amazing value combo. Once the pot starts bubbling away, the staff come by and cut up the octopus and seafood into bite-sized pieces for you, even separating the shells, so it's very easy to eat!

How does the seafood broth taste?

The seafood broth at Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch was spicy yet the ultimate in refreshing. It was a rich broth that captured the deep flavor of the sea, drawn out from a variety of seafood, clams and vegetables.

It wasn't overly sharp but had a clean, deep umami that kept me reaching for my spoon — a genuine Changwon-style seafood stew. If you lightly cook the water dropwort and dip the tender, chewy octopus and beef brisket in wasabi soy sauce, the fragrance of the dropwort and the savoriness of the brisket create a fantastic harmony!

Four servings of kalguksu noodles in one sitting

Noodles are a must with this, right? At the end I had 2 servings of kalguksu noodles, but they were so good I added 2 more.👍

Four servings of kalguksu noodles — I set a personal record haha.

Is Dwaeji Jogae worth it? Final verdict

A generous, fresh combination of abalone, octopus and beef brisket, those irresistible boiled potatoes, and a broth that clears your head — everything was perfect at Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch!

If you're looking for a fail-safe gathering spot near Bansong Market in Changwon, or want a hearty, fresh seafood course, I strongly recommend paying a visit.