Jongno Tower Korean eatery: baby octopus with jjolmyeon, Bonghyejane

Deciding what to eat every single day is the hardest part! Especially for office workers, lunch is the biggest question of the day. I strongly recommend [Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch] as a Korean restaurant for Jonggak lunch!!! The food was really clean and the whole spread was genuinely delicious! I had the stir-fried baby octopus, but honestly the other menu items made me curious too. Let's get into the review.

Where is Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch, and what are its hours?

[Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch], my pick for a Jonggak lunch spot, is easy to find in the food court on basement level 2 of Jongno Tower. Right at the entrance as soon as you come down the escalator.

• 51 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, basement level 2
• Weekdays 11:00 – 21:00
• Weekends 11:00 – 20:00
• Break time observed
• Parking available

What is the restaurant like inside?

Overall it was a clean, comfortable restaurant. There was a good mix of 2- and 4-person tables, and it didn't feel cramped. There's even a semi-private area near the entrance with two 4-person tables. It would work well for group gatherings or company dinners too. It has a slightly retro feel while still feeling tidy, which I liked.

Menu and prices at Bonghyejane Jubang

• Nakji-bokkeum jeongsik (octopus stir-fry set) ₩16,000
• Charcoal beef bulgogi set ₩14,000
• Seafood sundubu set ₩13,500
• Bossam set ₩15,000
• Gamtae gimbap ₩13,000
• Bibim jjolmyeon with flat dumplings ₩12,500
• Giant pork cutlet ₩14,000

What comes with the spicy baby octopus set for two

This is the spicy stir-fried baby octopus (jjukkumi-bokkeum) set for two. The spread was genuinely great, and the value for money was top-tier too!! It was so tasty I gave a thumbs-up while eating!!! I actually prefer jjukkumi (baby octopus) over nakji (octopus), so I was very satisfied!! Note that the 'Hyeja' set meals can only be ordered starting from two portions.

Sweet pumpkin porridge and white kimchi

The white kimchi (baek-kimchi) made with well-fermented, sweet-and-tangy napa cabbage came with sweet pumpkin porridge (danhobak-juk). I didn't eat the pumpkin porridge at first — I saved it for the end, like a dessert after the main meal — and maybe because it had cooled down a bit, the chewy texture was really delicious!!

The spicy stir-fried baby octopus itself

Chewy, springy texture and top-notch seasoning!! It's packed with onion and cabbage, so it has a nice sweetness. The spicy-sweet flavor wasn't overwhelming — it was clean and just the right level of spicy in a delicious way!!! It was so good I gave the owner a thumbs-up, haha.

Why you should mix in the jjolmyeon noodles from the start

The jjolmyeon noodle add-on is a total game changer!!! As soon as the food arrives, you need to mix the noodles into the sauce right away so they don't clump — that's the trick!! As you eat, the sauce naturally soaks in more and more, so definitely mix it in from the very start!!! The chewy, springy texture was really delicious!!!

Bibimbap or a rice bowl to finish

A big bowl comes out with gim (seaweed flakes) and vegetables. Load it up with the sauce, veggies, and plenty of octopus, plus a generous drizzle of sesame oil!! Depending on your taste, it's great either mixed as bibimbap or served over rice as a bowl!!! I personally prefer the over-rice style where you can still feel the fluffy texture of the rice rather than mixing it into a mushy consistency. Being able to eat it so many different ways made it really enjoyable.

Mukbap: acorn jelly and rice in cold broth

This is a tangy, crunchy mukbap (acorn jelly salad in broth). The broth was so sweet and tangy!!! After the main dish, having a spoonful in between was so refreshing. It calmed down the spiciness while also refreshing my appetite.

Whole fried flounder

The whole flounder fritters, crispy and topped with a sweet-and-tangy sauce, seemed to be fried fresh the moment it was ordered. It was warm, the batter was crispy, and the flesh was plump. There are places that don't get this right, so I didn't have high expectations, but here both the flavor and texture were satisfying!!! The flesh was plump and tender, and it was genuinely delicious.

Is Bonghyejane worth it for a Korean lunch in Jonggak?

I really love stir-fried baby octopus and eat it often. This place is definitely a solid spot!!! The texture was great, the seasoning was delicious, and the overall spread was genuinely satisfying!!! If you're looking for a good Jonggak lunch, Korean restaurant, or a solid rice place, I highly recommend [Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch]!!!