Magok family hot pot with separate mala and tomato broths: J's Pot

A while back I was in Gangseo-gu to renew my son's driver's license, so we stopped for lunch at J's Pot Magok Branch. This wasn't actually my first visit — I'd been once before with a friend, and since I liked both the food and the atmosphere, I decided to go back with my son this time.

Eating together with my son, we naturally ended up wanting different menu items, and the most fun part of J's Pot Magok was that we could each pick our own broth separately.

Where is J's Pot Magok? Basement level 2 of COEX Magok

J's Pot Magok Branch is at Basement Level 2, Unit 208, COEX Magok Tower A, 143 Magok-jungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. It's not too far from Magongnaru Station, and since it's inside COEX Magok, it's easy to get to even on bad-weather days.

The restaurant was bigger than I expected. It's clean but has a slightly different vibe from your typical shabu-shabu place, so I was in a good mood from the moment we walked in.

I especially liked that every table has its own individual setup for eating. Some people love spicy food, others prefer something mild — and when you're eating with a group, it's hard to please everyone. Here, you don't have to.

Mala broth for my son, tomato broth for me

My son didn't even hesitate — he went straight for the mala broth. Very much a young person's choice, haha. I wanted something a bit gentler, so I picked the tomato broth.

Having two different broths at the same table actually made the meal more fun. My son loaded ingredients into his mala pot while I added vegetables and meat to my tomato broth.

What I liked most was being able to eat exactly to my own taste without having to force a compromise on the person I was with. Because of this, I think J's Pot works not only for people searching for good hot pot near Magongnaru, but also as a spot for a family meal.

Mixing my own dipping sauce at the J's Pot sauce bar

Another thing I liked was the sauce bar at J's Pot Magok. There are various ingredients ready to mix and match so you can create your own personal sauce.

I threw in a little of this and that to build something to my taste. It's oddly fun how the same ingredients can taste completely different depending on the sauce you pair them with. If it's your first visit, don't overthink it — just build one around the ingredients you already like.

The orange chicken my son insisted we order

There was one dish that unexpectedly stuck with me that day: the orange chicken. My son said that whenever he sees orange chicken on a menu, he always orders it, so I got curious and tried it too.

It was a style I'd never tried before, and it was genuinely better than I expected. The fried chicken had that distinctive tangy orange flavor added, giving it a different feel from typical Chinese-style chicken. Sweet yet tangy — I kept reaching for more. I thought my son would like it more than me, but I ended up loving it too. He was satisfied as well, haha.

When you're eating soup-based food the whole time, you can start craving something a bit different — and this was a great thing to pair with the broths.

We arrived at 11 a.m. and J's Pot filled up fast

I deliberately visited a bit early that day. I'd heard this place gets a lot of office workers, so we went in around 11 a.m. At first there was plenty of room, but not long after we started eating, people began streaming into the large dining room.

Before long, the empty seats disappeared quickly — a real sign of being in Magok's business district. If you're visiting for lunch and want a relaxed meal, I'd recommend going a bit early or making a reservation in advance. If you're coming as a larger group, I'd especially recommend booking ahead.

Who is J's Pot Magok best for?

Personally, I felt J's Pot Magok fits not just meals with friends but family outings and work gatherings too. Since everyone can choose their own broth, there's less pressure even if you're eating with people whose tastes differ from yours.

The restaurant is clean and spacious, so it seemed like a good fit for larger groups as well. Whether it's a date or catching up with an old friend over something a little different from typical shabu-shabu, this place offers a distinct experience.

And honestly, isn't the fact that I came back the most honest review of all? Last time I enjoyed it with a friend, and this time I came with my son — and choosing different flavors we each liked actually made things more comfortable.

J's Pot Magok Branch: address, hours and visit tips

• Address: Basement level 2, Unit 208, COEX Magok Tower A, 143 Magok-jungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11:00–22:00 / Last order 21:00
• Store details and hours may change, so it's best to check before visiting

If you're looking for something a little different to eat in Magok, give this a try. Especially if you're with family who like different dishes, or friends whose spice tolerances vary wildly, being able to choose your own broth is really convenient.

That day I came with my son and we each enjoyed a meal to our own taste, finishing off with delicious orange chicken. Last time it was a friend, this time my son — I'm curious who I'll bring next. If you're looking for good hot pot near Magongnaru inside Magok COEX, J's Pot Magok, where everyone can eat exactly to their own taste, is worth checking out.

A Magok COEX meal where different tastes weren't a problem thanks to personal broths — and the orange chicken was a delicious bonus.