# Jonggak Korean lunch with Mom: pork cutlet vs octopus set, Bonghyejane - By Spoon Diary Writer (https://superchart.com/en/@mapo-spoon-diary/) - Written Oct 6, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jongno, Seoul - Sponsored: This review was written after the writer was provided a meal through a store-visit campaign. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@mapo-spoon-diary/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@mapo-spoon-diary/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/index.md) · [日本語](https://superchart.com/ja/@mapo-spoon-diary/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/index.md) ## In short Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch is a Korean restaurant on the second basement floor of Jongno Tower, right by Exit 3-1 of Jonggak Station in Seoul. The writer and Mom ordered the spicy jjukkumi (small octopus) and nakji (octopus) stir-fry set and the 300g Hyeja king pork cutlet: the cutlet had thin meat and was mostly batter, but the stir-fry set came with sweet pumpkin porridge and perilla soup and was a satisfying, generous meal. Verdict: at Bonghyejane Jubang, skip the pork cutlet and order a Korean set such as the octopus stir-fry or sundubu (soft tofu stew). ## Good to know - **Location**: Jongno Tower B2, 51 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul; 1-minute walk from Jonggak Station Exit 3-1 - **Hours**: Daily 11:00–21:00 - **Break time**: 15:00–16:30 - **Last order**: 20:00 - **Parking**: Jongno Tower underground parking (per the writer) - **Seating**: Tables for 2 to 4 - **Ordering**: Tablet ordering at every table - **Dishes ordered**: Spicy jjukkumi (small octopus) and nakji (octopus) stir-fry set; Hyeja king pork cutlet (300g per the menu) - **Set sides**: Sweet pumpkin porridge, perilla soup, braised peanuts, white kimchi *as written by the visitor on Oct 6, 2026* I went to Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch, one of the Jonggak restaurants popular with office workers and visitors near Jonggak Station. I love hearty, tasty Korean food, and while I was figuring out lunch near Jonggak, the name alone ("Hyeja" is Korean slang for a great-value, generous deal) sounded so generous that I went in with high hopes. Did it live up to the hype? Here is what each dish was like, with my honest review. ## Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch: location and hours Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch is on the second basement floor of Jongno Tower, 51 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, a 1-minute walk from Exit 3-1 of Jonggak Station. It is open daily 11:00–21:00, with a break from 15:00 to 16:30 and last order at 20:00. It is a well-known Jonggak meal spot and Jongno favorite, and if you drive, I think you can park in the Jongno Tower basement! ![Entrance of Bonghyejane Jubang on the second basement floor of Jongno Tower](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-01-1drru-1200.webp) ![Restaurant exterior with the Bonghyeja Special Dishes Restaurant sign](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-02-f15fk-900.webp) ![Neat entrance of Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-03-9o3ac-900.webp) ## Atmosphere and seating at Bonghyejane Head down to the second basement floor of Jongno Tower and you will see Bonghyejane's clean, stylish storefront. The sign reads "Bonghyeja Special Dishes Restaurant" (봉혜자 별미요릿집), and the neatly decorated entrance stood out. Inside, the space is quite large and the tables are laid out efficiently. Warm wood-toned furniture and clean tile floors give it old-fashioned warmth and modern comfort at the same time. There are tables for 2 to 4 people, so I think it works for couples or families too. ![Inside Bonghyejane with wood-toned furniture and a tile floor](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-04-wo2ky-900.webp) I also liked that every table has a tablet ordering system, so you can browse the menu slowly and order conveniently. ![Tablet ordering screen at a Bonghyejane table](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-05-1vhy8-900.webp) ![Bonghyejane menu on the tablet screen](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-06-1wn8a-900.webp) ![Korean set meal menu at Bonghyejane](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-07-dijsi-900.webp) ![Stir-fry and set meal lineup at Bonghyejane](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-08-7hbid-900.webp) ## Bonghyejane menu overview The menu has signature dishes like whole-octopus stir-fry and spicy small-octopus (jjukkumi) stir-fry, plus bossam (boiled pork wraps) sets, sundubu (soft tofu stew) sets, and even old-school king pork cutlet. There is a wide range of Korean dishes and set meals to suit different tastes. ![Bonghyejane menu with whole-octopus stir-fry and king pork cutlet](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-09-fyeze-900.webp) Mom loves octopus stir-fry, so she got the spicy jjukkumi set, and I love pork cutlet, so I ordered the Hyeja king pork cutlet. ![Jjukkumi set and Hyeja king pork cutlet ordered with Mom](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-10-1xqbs-900.webp) ![Table set with both dishes at Bonghyejane](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-11-qnxdc-900.webp) ## The 300g Hyeja king pork cutlet: how was it really? The menu describes the Hyeja king pork cutlet as a "300g Hyeja-style generous portion," so I assumed the meat itself weighed 300g and went in expecting a hearty meal... Spoiler: it left me quite disappointed. ![Hyeja king pork cutlet advertised as 300g](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-12-kyefh-900.webp) ![Plate of Hyeja king pork cutlet topped with sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-13-r7rie-900.webp) ![Cross-section of the pork cutlet showing meat and batter](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-14-11wzf-900.webp) ![A piece of the Hyeja king pork cutlet with disappointingly thin meat](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-15-zpra9-900.webp) Unlike what I expected, the meat was extremely thin, and the batter made up most of each piece, so it was hard to taste the chew of the pork or any savory juiciness. The texture felt soggy as I ate, so I took a closer look: the batter share was so big that I started wondering whether the 300g meant the whole plate, batter and sauce included, rather than the meat. The meat was so thin that all I could see was batter, and with so little pork flavor I felt a bit tricked by the "300g" wording. It looks impressive and the portion is big, but if you care about the true meaty flavor of a pork cutlet, it may disappoint. If I go back, I would order Korean set meals like the jjukkumi or octopus stir-fry or the sundubu rather than the cutlet. ![Spicy octopus stir-fry set with a choice of spice level](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-16-pmqxs-900.webp) ## Octopus and jjukkumi stir-fry set: sides and spice levels Bonghyejane's octopus stir-fry set lets you choose the spice level, which is great whether you struggle with spicy food or love a kick. The spicy octopus stir-fry set was really well put together and generous. Order the set and you don't just get the main stir-fry: it comes with sides of sweet pumpkin porridge, perilla soup, candied peanuts, and white kimchi. ![Pumpkin porridge, perilla soup, candied peanuts and white kimchi served with the set](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-17-17h8w-900.webp) ![Side dishes included in the Bonghyejane set meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-18-zljhf-847.webp) ### Sweet pumpkin porridge and perilla soup The yellow sweet pumpkin porridge gently soothes your stomach before the meal, and the perilla soup has a rich, deep nutty flavor. It arrives in a hot stone pot, so it stayed warm until the very end. ![Hot perilla soup in a stone pot](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-19-3pphz-900.webp) ![Yellow sweet pumpkin porridge served before the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-20-cxdzq-900.webp) ### The main stir-fry and bowl of rice With the octopus stir-fry set you get a big bowl of rice and a plate piled with spicy jjukkumi stir-fry. The octopus kept its chewy bite while the sauce soaked in well, so the texture was great. ![Plate piled with spicy jjukkumi stir-fry](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-21-1gnzz-900.webp) ![Generous serving of rice in a big bowl](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-22-trodg-900.webp) ![Jjukkumi stir-fry on top of the bowl of rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-23-1v4vm-900.webp) ![Jjukkumi stir-fry rice mixed with sesame oil](https://img.superchart.com/images/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch-24-uv7h0-900.webp) ## How to enjoy the Bonghyejane stir-fry set My way to enjoy the octopus stir-fry set: pile the spicy, smoky jjukkumi stir-fry onto the bowl of rice, add the sesame oil on the table, and mix it all up. It was an absolute rice thief! ## Where it is - Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch (봉혜자네주방 종로타워점) - 51 Jongno, B206–B207 (B2), Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 종로구 종로 51 지하2층 B206, B207호 - 37.5707534, 126.9836385 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%B4%89%ED%98%9C%EC%9E%90%EB%84%A4%EC%A3%BC%EB%B0%A9%20%EC%A2%85%EB%A1%9C%ED%83%80%EC%9B%8C%EC%A0%90/@37.5707534,126.9836385,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@mapo-spoon-diary/jonggak-bonghyeja-kitchen-pork-cutlet-mom-lunch/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt