Jeongwang-dong chicken stew for 2 that fed 3, Siheung: Jeongjeong-a

Is Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch easy to find?

Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch (정정아식당 정왕점) is on the ground floor of a commercial building in Jeongwang-dong, Siheung, so even first-timers can find it without trouble. The big sign at the entrance stands out, and I got there easily and comfortably.

The place is seriously popular. I went because I was looking for a good meal in Jeongwang-dong, and wow, Jeongjeong-a!!!

The front is all glass, so you can glimpse the mood inside from the street. It was lunchtime and lots of people were eating. Being able to see in made it easy to walk in without any hesitation. Customers keep coming throughout mealtimes!! It felt like a word-of-mouth favorite in Jeongwang-dong.

Inside Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch

The restaurant feels homey and neatly kept. It had that look of a place with a reputation, and when the owner came over in her apron, I really felt that mom's-home-cooking vibe. Everything is tidy and clean, so it was easy to settle in.

The tables are nicely spaced out too. We were told to sit anywhere we liked, so I took a seat near the entrance, and once lunchtime hit, so many customers came in. The space is wide, which made eating very comfortable.

There was tasty puffed rice cracker (ppeong-twigi) at the entrance and I wanted some, but I held back. I'm watching my diet these days, haha. Looking at the photo, though, I do regret not trying it~

Jeongjeong-a Sikdang menu and set options

The menu at Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch has chicken stew, cockles, grilled half-dried pollack (kodari-gui) and set menus. The sets are made up like this:

• Cockles + acorn jelly (dotorimuk)
• Cockles + boiled squid
• Acorn jelly + boiled squid
• Seafood pancake + cockles + mukchae (acorn jelly salad)
• Seafood pancake + cockles + acorn jelly

There are extra items and plenty of other dishes too, so feel free to add some.

Water, alcohol and drinks are self-serve

Water, alcohol and drinks are self-serve here. Don't go "Wait, why won't they bring water???" haha. As soon as I sat down I was like, why is there no water??? Then I looked at the wall and it said self-serve~~~ And no alcohol for minors~

They say they use 100% domestic fresh chicken and cockles shipped straight from the source every day. Seeing that banner, I felt this must be a chicken-and-cockle specialist.

There's a takeout menu too, so taking it home is an option. Still, I have to say that eating it right there is the best, hehe.

The basic side dishes are dongchimi (radish water kimchi) with cool ice floating in it, and kimchi!! You can tell a good restaurant just from its kimchi, right??

How was the chicken stew for 2 at Jeongjeong-a Sikdang?

That day I ordered chicken stew for 2 and seasoned cockles. The chicken stew here has a different broth color from the start, and the longer it boiled, the spicier and deeper the flavor got.

Of all the well-known places I've tried, Jeongjeong-a Jeongwang Branch has the best chicken stew, honestly? Even if I made it myself it wouldn't taste like this. The broth is spicy but gets truly deeper the longer it simmers, and the whole combination of the broth!! It really is different.

A chicken stew for 2 that fed three

The owner gave us a really generous amount, so even though we ordered the 2-person chicken stew, three people could eat it. The portion is truly big. You eat it bubbling away as it cooks!! It looked appetizing the moment it hit the table, and the sight alone grabbed my attention.

One spoonful of broth and you can tell it's different. It's packed with big pieces of chicken and plenty of vegetables, and I never expected such depth of flavor!! Hearty just to look at! A filling meal just to look at! I understood why Jeongjeong-a is so popular.

One bowl of rice? No way!! This is chicken stew that calls for two bowls!! The broth isn't just spicy; the sweet, sharp seasoning blends so well that you keep reaching for more.

The chicken didn't turn dry even after long boiling. The seasoning soaks in well, so the longer it simmers, the better this chicken stew gets!! The meat is moist and really tender, and I just kept eating. The broth is so rich and delicious, a total rice thief (so good you eat tons of rice)~

Should you add the seasoned cockles at Jeongjeong-a Sikdang?

If you come to Jeongjeong-a, you have to have the seasoned cockles. The cockle dish I ordered with the chicken stew was wonderfully tasty thanks to the fresh, big cockles.

The seasoning is sweet, sour and spicy with a lively savory depth, and it paired really well with the cockles. Not tough at all, springy and plump!! The seasoning coated them evenly, and each bite really got my appetite going.

On a day you're craving good chicken stew, give Jeongjeong-a a visit. You get the generous portion and deep seasoning, plus fresh seasoned cockles. With the tidy interior and convenient parking, it's an easy choice for a family meal, a get-together with friends, or a company dinner.

Is parking easy at Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch?

If you drive, you can park right in front of the restaurant, so parking is no burden. Even at mealtimes it's relatively easy to park, so visitors can eat comfortably.

A place I want to come back to, Jeongjeong-a in Jeongwang-dong!! My number one pick for a restaurant I'd return to~