Tablet-order octopus stir-fry set in Jung-dong, Bucheon: Gim Myeongju

As the weather's been getting cooler lately, I keep craving warm, hearty Korean food. And then I found this incredibly generous spot with amazing side dishes where everything except the main dish is unlimited refills.

The basic side dishes were seriously impressive, and with refillable, savory cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste) stew on top, I easily polished off two bowls of rice. The pot rice, made with yellow rice milled that same day, tasted noticeably different from the start, and it paired beautifully with the spicy octopus stir-fry — I left in a great mood.

For anyone looking for a Sinjung-dong spot doing proper, neat and hearty Korean food, let me walk you through my visit in detail!

What Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang in Jung-dong looks like, and where to park

Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Sinjung-dong Branch sits on Jungdong-ro 254beon-gil in Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, with parking on the first floor. Arriving out front, the clean, spacious tiled-roof exterior caught my eye right away! It's a very convenient setup if you're coming by car.

Inside, there are group tables as well as private rooms you can enjoy on your own, so it seems like a great option for family gatherings or company dinners too!

The restroom is kept neat and clean inside the restaurant, which made it very convenient to use before and after the meal!

How tablet ordering and the unlimited self-bar work

You order via the tablet placed at each table. I went with the octopus stir-fry today, haha — the nice weather had me craving something spicy.

There's a big self-bar set up on one side of the restaurant. From fresh wrap cabbage and lettuce to japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), salad, and seasoned vegetable dishes, the side dishes were stocked generously, so you can help yourself without hesitation.

The rice being unlimited refill too was amazing. The cast-iron cauldron is packed full of savory yellow rice and barley rice, so you can scoop out as much as you want.

In this era of high prices, a Sinjung-dong spot where you can eat as much rice and neat side dishes as you like isn't common — isn't that quite the deal?

What comes with the spicy octopus stir-fry set meal

As the food was set down one by one, my jaw dropped — the table was practically groaning under the spread. Every side dish was plated so neatly and cleanly that it was a treat to feast on with my eyes first, haha.

Centered on the main octopus stir-fry and a steaming hot pot of cheonggukjang stew, the table was packed with solid side dishes — seasoned vegetables, japchae, seasoned bellflower root, kimchi — just looking at it was filling.

The pot rice, milled that same day, released an incredible savory aroma the moment I lifted the lid 👍🏻

Side dishes sold separately at Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang

These neat side dishes at Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Sinjung-dong Branch are also sold separately at the restaurant.

One bite and I instantly understood why they sell them separately — the flavor was that good! It's the kind of taste you'd want to keep at home as everyday side dishes.

Chewy flame-kissed octopus with savory cheonggukjang

First, the main octopus stir-fry — the color of the sauce alone was mouth-watering. Taking a bite, I got a subtle smoky char flavor and a pleasant sweet-and-spicy kick!

The octopus wasn't chewy in a tough way at all, just tender — an absolute rice thief. The spiciness wasn't overly aggressive either, just clean and right.

The basic cheonggukjang stew that comes with the meal also showed off real depth. It was generously loaded with tofu, savory cheonggukjang beans, and crisp cabbage. I'm not great with cheonggukjang usually, but the smell wasn't strong so I ate it without any hesitation, haha.

With all the wrap vegetables at the self-bar, wrapping bites was also a lot of fun! Putting a spoonful of rice on a lettuce leaf, then topping it with octopus and seasoned vegetables, the chewy texture was just superb. It was the best combo — I never got tired of it and kept going!

Is Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang worth a return visit with parents?

After scraping the pot rice clean, I even made scorched-rice tea from the leftover crust and finished that off too — I was completely full.

Overall, the ingredients were fresh and every side dish was neat and well-made, so I was really satisfied. With pot rice and savory cheonggukjang that older folks would love, plus healthy sides you can refill endlessly at the self-bar, I'm definitely planning to bring my parents here for a family meal next time!

If you want to treat someone to a hearty meal with a neat, home-cooked-style spread, or you're looking for a spacious, clean Sinjung-dong restaurant for a gathering, be sure to stop by Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Sinjung-dong Branch. You'll walk away comfortably full and satisfied!