Seongnam Korean restaurant for squid soft tofu hot pot: Okdengjang

On days when I crave a bowl of rice with a warm broth, I head to Okdengjang Seohyeon Branch (옥된장 서현점), where you can properly enjoy Korean food in Seohyeon. When I think of Okdengjang, its doenjang jeongol (soybean-paste hot pot) naturally comes to mind first. This time, I ordered not only the ureong doenjang jeongol (freshwater-snail soybean-paste hot pot), but also squid sundubu jeongol (soft tofu hot pot) and a squid minari pancake.

Okdengjang, a good spot for Korean hot pot near Seohyeon Station

Okdengjang Seohyeon Branch is a place where you can enjoy a range of Korean dishes centered on hot pots. Once inside, I found it clean overall, with a comfortable atmosphere for a meal.

The tables are generously spaced, and there are areas that work well for groups, so it looked like a good option for family meals, work dinners, or get-togethers. There are especially plenty of Korean dishes, such as doenjang hot pot, that people of all ages can eat comfortably, so it also seemed like a nice restaurant to visit with parents.

Okdengjang Seohyeon Branch menu and what I ordered

There were plenty of dishes to enjoy alongside the meal, including suyuk (boiled pork), doenjang hot pot, soft tofu hot pot, vinegared salad, tofu kimchi, and jeon (Korean savory pancakes).

• Ureong doenjang jeongol: ₩13,000
• Squid sundubu jeongol: ₩13,000
• Squid minari jeon: ₩20,000
• Mom’s Gim: ₩3,000

Both the doenjang and soft tofu hot pots can be ordered by the individual serving, so I ordered one of each, along with hot pots filled with ureong and squid and a pancake, for a generous table spread.

Ureong doenjang hot pot packed with freshwater snails

The bubbling ureong doenjang hot pot was, true to its name, packed with freshwater snails. Their pleasant chewiness alongside the deeply savory soybean-paste broth made it an excellent match for rice. This was the dish I would want to recommend first when craving a warm, filling Korean meal.

The spicy squid soft tofu hot pot

It was my first time trying the squid soft tofu hot pot, and it was even better than I expected. It came with plenty of squid in silky soft tofu, plus one egg to add once it began to boil. The broth had a nice spice that kept me reaching for another spoonful, and ordering it alongside the savory ureong doenjang hot pot made for a great pairing: I could alternate between two very different broths. I recommend the squid soft tofu hot pot if you like a warming, spicy broth.

Crispy squid minari pancake and Mom’s Gim

It was also my first time trying the squid minari pancake as a side, and I liked it. It was generously filled with squid and minari (Korean water celery), and its crisp exterior kept me reaching for piece after piece. Although it had lots of minari, the aroma was not as strong as I expected, so it was easy to enjoy, and it paired nicely with the chewy squid. And if you are having hot pot, I recommend adding Mom’s Gim (seasoned seaweed), too!

Warm rice with gim, stir-fried kimchi or green-onion kimchi, and a spoonful of hot-pot broth made for one of those combinations that seems simple but keeps drawing you back.

A hearty Korean meal for family dinners and gatherings

With its clean space and filling food, this was a place well suited to family meals, dining out with parents, or gatherings. If you are looking for a Korean restaurant near Seohyeon Station, keep Okdengjang Seohyeon Branch in mind.

Location and visitor information

• Unit 106, 1F, 5 Hwangsaeul-ro 335beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea (경기 성남시 분당구 황새울로335번길 5, 1층 106호)
• Hours: 11:00–22:30
• 1 hour free in the commercial building car park
• Restrooms are inside the building and separated by gender
• Naver reservations available / paid corkage / takeout available