Mild level 1 chicken stew in Siheung with wide noodles: Jeongjeong-a

I went back to Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch, my go-to spot in Jeongwang-dong whenever I'm craving a spicy dakbokkeumtang (braised spicy chicken stew).

Last time I had the stew at spice level 2, and it was spicier than I expected, so this time I ordered level 1 instead. It wasn't spicy at all, but the sauce flavor was still rich, so it was easy to eat without any burden.

This time I went all out with the dakbokkeumtang for two (small), set menu 2, and an extra wide glass noodle side. Being able to enjoy cockles and squid alongside the stew made this a great Jeongwang-dong spot for trying several dishes at once.

Doesn't the table look packed just from the photo? The bubbling dakbokkeumtang paired well with the seasoned cockles and squid. The stew simmers right at the table, so it stayed warm and delicious all the way to the last bite.

Where is Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch, and what does it look like?

Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch has been operating in Jeongwang-dong for a long time as a dakbokkeumtang specialist. The address is 20 Seochon Sangga 4-gil, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do.

The exterior makes the restaurant easy to spot, and alongside its signature dakbokkeumtang it also serves cockles and squid, making it a good option for everything from family meals to office lunches.

Is Jeongjeong-a Sikdang a good spot for a Jeongwang-dong group dinner?

Stepping inside Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch, there are several tables set up, and the overall vibe is comfortable for a relaxed meal.

It works well for 2–4 people, but with a decent number of tables, it also looked like a solid choice for a Jeongwang-dong group dinner spot.

Dakbokkeumtang itself is a dish that's great for sharing around a table, so it also suits lunch or dinner with coworkers.

What's on the menu at Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch?

I checked the menu board too. The signature dakbokkeumtang can be ordered based on party size, and there are also dishes like cockles and grilled kodari (dried pollack). If you want to try a bit of everything, going for a set menu is a good option.

That day we ordered dakbokkeumtang for two (small) + set menu 2 + 1 glass noodle side.

Domestic fresh chicken, and self-serve water, alcohol and drinks

A sign in the restaurant noted that they use carefully selected 100% domestic fresh chicken.

Also, at Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch, water, alcohol, and drinks are all self-serve. There's a fridge set up to the side, so you just grab whatever drinks or alcohol you need yourself. Worth knowing ahead of time if it's your first visit.

Side dishes at Jeongjeong-a Sikdang: kimchi and dongchimi

The basic side dishes were kimchi and cool dongchimi (radish water kimchi). While eating the spicy dakbokkeumtang, you need something to refresh your palate in between, and the cold dongchimi broth was great for that.

The side dish lineup isn't complicated, and it's kept simple so you can focus on the main dish.

Dakbokkeumtang made with pre-boiled chicken

Then the dakbokkeumtang we'd been waiting for arrived. From the moment it came out, the red broth loaded with chicken, potatoes, kimchi, and scallions looked appetizing.

One convenient thing about Jeongjeong-a's dakbokkeumtang is that the chicken comes pre-boiled once, so as soon as it starts simmering on the table, you can start eating right away. No need to wait forever for the chicken to fully cook while starving.

Once the burner was on, it quickly started bubbling. As the broth boils, the kimchi, scallions, and chicken on top naturally mix in, and the broth gets richer and richer. Dakbokkeumtang really does taste best when simmered right at the table like this.

Why you should add the wide glass noodle side

We added one glass noodle side. Instead of the usual thin glass noodles, it's the wide, translucent kind, and the portion was quite generous.

Scallions came on top too, so you just drop it all into the simmering dakbokkeumtang as is.

Adding the wide noodles made the pot even more packed. It might look like a lot at first, but once it simmers in the broth a bit longer, it soaks up the sauce and turns soft.

The chewy texture of the wide noodles paired especially well with the sweet-and-spicy dakbokkeumtang sauce, so if you like glass noodles, I'd recommend adding this.

How spicy is spice level 1 at Jeongjeong-a Sikdang?

What I was most curious about this time was the spice level. Jeongjeong-a's dakbokkeumtang lets you choose level 1, 2, or 3. Last time I had level 2, and it felt pretty sharp for my taste. So this time I ordered level 1.

Level 1 definitely didn't feel strongly spicy, and I could comfortably enjoy the flavor of the sauce. I'd recommend level 1 to anyone who can't handle spicy food well.

If you can usually handle something like Shin Ramyun fine but want something a bit milder and easier to eat that day, level 1 would work well too.

Set menu 2: cockles and boiled squid

Here are the cockles that came with the set menu. The sauce coated them evenly, and there was a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds on top adding a nutty aroma. They're easy to pick up one at a time, making them a good side to nibble on while the dakbokkeumtang simmers.

Having side dishes like this alongside the main made the whole spread feel much more substantial than just eating one dish.

The squid that came with it was also nicely prepped for easy eating. Cut into bite-sized pieces from the body to the legs, it was clean and light when dipped lightly in chojang (vinegar-chili sauce).

Having a bite of squid in between the spicy, rich dakbokkeumtang made for a nice combination of flavors.

With dakbokkeumtang, cockles, and squid all laid out on one table, it looked pretty generous, right? If you're someone who likes eating a variety of things rather than just one dish, the set menu setup will suit you well.

It's a great combination whether you want a hearty lunch or you're sharing among several people — a good fit if you're looking for a Jeongwang-dong lunch spot.

The longer the dakbokkeumtang simmers, the richer it gets

After letting it simmer a bit longer, I fished out a piece of chicken and a potato. The potato had soaked up the sauce and turned fluffy, and since the chicken had already been pre-boiled once, it was cooked through all the way. The longer it simmers, the more the broth reduces and the richer the sauce flavor gets.

Kept it bubbling as we ate, and the broth started reducing properly. There was kimchi, onion, and scallions mixed in between the chicken pieces, so it was tasty whether you ate the chicken alone or with the vegetables.

The more the broth reduced, the more intensely the sauce clung to the chicken — personally, I found it tastier after simmering a bit than right at the start.

Quite a change compared to how much broth there was at the start. I think the appeal of dakbokkeumtang is that you keep simmering it while you eat, reducing it down to just how you like it.

As the sauce thickened, the chicken absorbed the seasoning nicely, and the wide glass noodles also soaked up the broth, staying delicious to the very last bite.

Before I knew it, we'd nearly finished everything. With dakbokkeumtang for two plus the set menu and glass noodles, it was a hearty spread for two people. If eating just dakbokkeumtang alone feels like it's not enough, try mixing in a set menu and a noodle side to your taste.

Verdict: start at spice level 1 if you're sensitive to heat

Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch is a great spot to visit whenever you're craving dakbokkeumtang in Jeongwang-dong. The chicken comes pre-boiled once, so you don't wait long to eat, and you can pick from three spice levels to match your taste.

In particular, the level 1 I had this time wasn't harshly spicy but still had plenty of sauce flavor, making it easy to eat without any burden. If you're spice-sensitive, or you can usually handle something like Shin Ramyun but want something milder that day, start with level 1.

The wide glass noodle side comes in a generous portion too, so if you like dakbokkeumtang, it's worth adding. If you're looking for a hearty meal in Jeongwang-dong or trying to figure out what to order for a group, hopefully this helps.

• Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch / 20 Seochon Sangga 4-gil, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (units 106, 107, 108)
• Hours: Mon–Sat 10:30–22:00, closed every Sunday
• Amenities: reservations, group dining, takeout, delivery, Wi-Fi, separate men's/women's restrooms, parking
• Order: dakbokkeumtang for two (small) + set menu 2 + glass noodle side
• Note: water, alcohol, and drinks are self-serve