Jonggak Korean restaurant at 2pm, no-wait octopus set: Bonghyejane

Picking what to eat for lunch every single day is such a struggle. I wanted something Korean that was affordable but still neat and filling, so I headed to Bonghyejane Jubang, Jongno Tower branch.

How to reach Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch from Jonggak Station

Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch sits in the basement of Jongno Tower, directly connected to Jonggak Station on Line 1, so it's really easy to find.

I liked that you can walk straight there through the building without stepping outside, even on a rainy or snowy day. It's convenient by public transport, and there's proper parking in the building too, so driving there works fine as well.

Arriving at 2pm: straight to a table, no wait

On weekday lunchtimes this place is packed with office workers from nearby, since it's a popular spot. I went a bit later, around 2pm, to dodge the busy lunch peak. Visiting at this time meant I could walk straight in with no wait at all — really calm and relaxed. If you want a comfortable meal without waiting, I'd recommend visiting outside peak hours.

Inside Bonghyejane Jubang and how ordering works

Walking inside, the space was much bigger and more comfortable than I expected. There are plenty of seats and the tables are spaced generously, so you can eat without feeling cramped. On my way out I noticed everyone from solo diners to groups of coworkers eating there.

Each table has an ordering tablet, so you can order easily without calling a staff member over.

Water and sesame oil are set out at every table too.

What's on the menu at Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch

They have everything from neat single-serving table settings (bansang) to hearty set menus.

Beyond the signature whole octopus stir-fry and the spicy baby octopus stir-fry, there's bulgogi, sundubu (soft tofu stew), pork cutlet set meals and more.

Ordering a set gets you a genuinely hearty spread.

Whole octopus stir-fry set for two plus rice: 31,000 won

We ordered the whole octopus stir-fry set for two and added an extra bowl of rice. Even with this much food, the total came to just 31,000 won — really great value.

It's a set for two, but doesn't it look genuinely loaded?

Pumpkin porridge to start the meal

First up was a warm pumpkin porridge served before the meal to gently ease your stomach in. Just the right amount of sweetness — delicious. A perfect appetizer before diving into the spicy dish.

How spicy is the whole octopus stir-fry?

A plump, whole octopus comes out in one piece, and the moment I saw it I let out a "wow!"

You cut it up with scissors as you eat, and the octopus is so tender and springy that it's a joy to eat. The spice level was a bit hotter than Shin Ramyun. If you can't handle spicy food, keep that in mind.

The noodles are jjolmyeon, not somyeon

The noodles that come with it aren't regular thin somyeon but jjolmyeon (chewy noodles), which are springy and chewy and pair really well with the spicy sauce. Adding a bit of sesame oil to taste is delicious too.

Spooning the octopus stir-fry over rice topped with lettuce and seaweed flakes, drizzling on sesame oil and mixing it all together — absolutely amazing. Adding some baek-kimchi (white kimchi) on top made it even better.

Fried flounder and mukbap (acorn jelly in cold broth)

The side dish of fried flounder was crispy and evenly coated in a tangy-sweet house sauce — genuinely impressive.

How is it this crispy?! There's clearly sauce on it, yet it stayed crunchy right to the last bite. So good. I can't stop thinking about that tangy-sweet sauce.

And the mukbap (acorn jelly soup)? So good too. The broth was refreshingly cool and really tasty — perfect for cutting through the spice.

Final verdict on Bonghyejane Jubang's octopus set

From the basic side dishes to the main dish to the side items, everything was delicious, so I was in a great mood the whole meal. The staff were friendly too, which made the whole visit satisfying — next time I definitely want to come back and try one of the neat single-serving bansang menus.

How about spicy octopus stir-fry for today's meal?