Spicy octopus restaurant near Isu Station in Seoul: Isu Jjukkumi

Lunch with a coworker I hadn't seen in a while, since they'd transferred to another department. It felt too light to eat something skimpy in the middle of the day, but samgyeopsal (pork belly) or gopchang (grilled intestines) places felt too heavy... While I was mulling it over, my coworker said, "I know a good lunch spot near Isu Station, want to go?" and I thought to myself, 'all jjukkumi places are pretty much the same.'

But it turned out to be the best jjukkumi and chicken feet place of my life. The seasoning was great, but I never expected chicken feet to be such a delicious side dish.

Where is Isu Jjukkumi Main Branch, and how far is it from Isu Station?

Isu Jjukkumi Main Branch, which I visited for lunch near Isu Station, is a 7-minute walk from Exit 14 of Chongshin University (Isu) Station.

It's tucked inside an alley rather than on a main street, so first-timers might wander a bit — but that gave it a real neighborhood-regular feel, which I actually liked.

Half a bottle of soju at lunch: the mood at Isu Jjukkumi

It was just the two of us, sneaking out to catch up with a former coworker during lunch hour, and the place was calm and quiet enough that having half a bottle of soju in broad daylight didn't feel awkward at all.

There was no flashy interior — just a space built for focusing on the food, so even on a short lunch break I could drop in without stress. The tables were spaced generously too, so I could eat comfortably without worrying about the next table.

Why the chicken feet beat the jjukkumi to the first bite

The main dish is obviously jjukkumi, and the seasoning was just spicy enough that my chopsticks kept reaching for more without feeling weighed down. It wasn't the kind of harsh spice that numbs your tongue — it was the type where the savory flavor builds the more you eat, so even my coworker, who's not great with spicy food, ate it without trouble.

Pairing that savory flavor with a glass of soju made for a perfect Isu Station lunch course. But surprisingly, what shocked me most was the chicken feet.

Chewy yet tender, with a subtle smoky char running through them, they kept pulling my hand in just as much as the jjukkumi did. I used to go around hunting for the best buldak-balbal (spicy chicken feet) places back in the day... and compared to all those places I visited then, this one holds its own without any shame.

The steamed egg came out beautifully soft too, doing its job of soothing my mouth between the spice and the alcohol. I got curious about their secret for making it so soft.

I always end up finishing every last bit... typical me.

How Isu Jjukkumi differs from other spicy octopus spots near Isu Station

The difference I felt at Isu Jjukkumi Main Branch is that none of the menu items feel out of sync — they combine well together. Plenty of places do jjukkumi well on its own, but the balance didn't fall apart even when we ordered chicken feet and steamed egg alongside it.

One more point — the jjukkumi was surely frozen, yet it was strangely soft and chewy in the best way. And the fried rice we had at the end was a fitting grand finale. My spoon just kept going in, and in the end I finished it all.

That also means it's low-risk whether you want a quick soju at lunch near Isu Station, or a bigger order for an evening group dinner.

Who should eat at Isu Jjukkumi Main Branch?

If you like spicy food, or want a light drink even at lunchtime, and you're stuck on what to eat near Isu Station, go here~^^ 🍶 Just note that there's no parking, so keep that in mind if you're driving 🚗

Isu Jjukkumi Main Branch: hours, parking and directions

• Name: Isu Jjukkumi Main Branch
• Address: 41 Sadang-ro 29ga-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 1F
• Hours: Daily 11:30–23:00 (last order 22:30, no break time)
• Parking: Not available (Namseong Saegye Market public parking lot recommended)
• Location: Near Exit 14 of Chongshin University (Isu) Station