Yangju Korean restaurant with egg rolls: Choi Budae Jjigae

Between the weather lately and the nonstop blur of feeding my child and keeping up with housework, I sometimes find myself craving a hot, spicy soup that someone else has made for me. So not long ago, I went to Choi Budae Jjigae, a restaurant known in Okjeong, with my younger sister. I wanted a little taste of freedom and a chance for the two of us to eat something delicious and chat! It had been so long since we had gone out for a leisurely meal together, just the two of us, that I was excited even before we left. Haha.

Choi Budae Jjigae restaurant information

• Restaurant: Choi Budae Jjigae
• Location: 1F, 51 Okjeong-dong 10-gil, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Hours: 10:30–21:00 (break time 14:30–17:00; closed Saturdays)
• Main menu: budae-jjigae, budae-bokkeum, kimchi stew, and set menus including Bujji Mari
• Features: unlimited bowls of rice, plus a clean and spacious dining room

We arrived around a slightly late lunch hour, but the whole restaurant was so comfortable and clean that it passed the first-impression test immediately!

Choosing the Bujji Mari set and add-ons

As soon as we came in, I checked the large menu board on the wall. There were individual orders of budae-jjigae, budae-bokkeum, and kimchi stew, but what really caught my eye was the set menu! In particular, there was one with the cute name “Bujji Mari”! At first I wondered what it was just from the name, but it turned out to be a satisfying combination of one serving of budae-jjigae (army base stew) and a small rolled omelet. You all know that fluffy yellow egg rolls are an absolute dream pairing with budae-jjigae, right...? 🤤 Since my sister and I were visiting together, we ordered the Bujji Mari set, then added one more serving of budae-jjigae because we wanted a generous meal. We also loaded it up with the essential ramen noodles, boiled dumplings, and tofu add-ons. We decided to do this properly!

The self-serve rice and side-dish station

There was a cute little area called the “Self Suragan,” or self-serve royal kitchen. When each person orders one menu item, you can help yourself to as many basic side dishes and as much rice as you like. At most restaurants, one bowl of rice can feel a little disappointing, but Choi Budae Jjigae offers unlimited fragrant, glossy white rice made with Sindongjin rice... When you are raising a child, a good hearty meal matters most, so I loved being able to eat to my heart’s content without worrying about rice!

The basic sides—stir-fried fish cake full of smoky wok flavor, seasoned dried radish strips, and dongchimi (water kimchi)—were clean and refreshing alongside the stew.

Fluffy egg rolls and a generous budae-jjigae

After a little wait, the small rolled omelet from our Bujji Mari set arrived first! We asked for the sauce on the side. Seeing that thick, golden omelet rolled up and filling the plate made me think that I wanted to make pretty egg rolls like that too. It arrived freshly made and steaming. One big bite filled my mouth with rich, moist egg flavor—it was truly special. It was perfectly seasoned and soft even without ketchup or mustard, and I thought this would absolutely be a must-order if I came with my child!

Then came the main event: budae-jjigae! Even the basic stew was packed with minced meat, ham, sausage, and rice cakes, and the boiled dumpling add-on we ordered was arranged beautifully on top, so the pot was completely full! I added tofu for my tofu-loving sister, but the pot was already so packed that we put it in as we ate. Tofu went so well with the budae-jjigae. As the broth began to boil, the minced spicy seasoning spread through it, and the aroma of the spicy, deep beef-bone broth hit my nose—I thought my salivary glands might explode! Once the broth was bubbling gently, we dropped in the ramen noodles and let everything boil away.

A spicy broth with real depth

I slurped up the nicely cooked ramen first, then took a spoonful of broth... Wow, it had such a deep, spicy flavor that completely soothed me from the inside out! The savory fat from the ham and sausage, beef-bone broth, and refreshing kimchi came together beautifully, with no unwanted smell at all.

The added tofu had soaked up all that broth and was fluffy and moist, while the bite-size boiled dumplings were so fun to pick out and eat. I put broth, ham, and tofu over rice and mixed it all together, then when it started to feel spicy, I added a piece of warm egg roll... Honestly, it was a heavenly combination that needs no words! 👍

They also provide extra broth, so you can adjust it to your own taste! My sister said it had been so long since she had eaten a proper budae-jjigae, and we both got so absorbed in devouring it that we forgot to talk. It is no secret that we finished one bowl of rice each, then went back to the self-serve bar for a little more... 🤫

Receipt review event perk

Oh, and there was also a notice for a Naver receipt-review event on every table! If you scan the QR code, verify your receipt, and write a short review, you receive ramen noodles for free. Ramen noodles are absolutely essential with budae-jjigae, and getting a little freebie through an event like this just makes the meal feel even better, doesn’t it? If you visit, do not forget to join and claim those ramen noodles! 😉

Final thoughts after a hearty meal with my sister

• What I loved: a clean, spacious restaurant, friendly service, and deep, refreshing broth!
• Recommended combination: the Bujji Mari set (budae-jjigae plus rolled omelet) is essential! Add ramen, tofu, and boiled dumplings for 200% satisfaction!
• With unlimited rice and side dishes, this is a truly satisfying Okjeong budae-jjigae spot for both adults and children!

It was such a healing day—getting out with my sister after a long time, eating delicious food, and chatting away. This time it was just the two of us, but next time I am definitely bringing my husband and child so the whole family can visit together. If you are looking for a warming, spicy soup or a generous budae-jjigae restaurant near Okjeong-dong in Yangju, please stop by Choi Budae Jjigae at least once! This mom confidently gives it a strong recommendation! 💕