Hapjeong spicy braised rib restaurant with DIY rice balls: Bongmaruji

What is Bongmaruji Hapjeong like?

Bongmaruji Hapjeong (봉마루집 합정점) is a galbi-jjim restaurant on Yanghwa-ro 6-gil, between Hapjeong Station and Sangsu Station. I was looking for a proper galbi-jjim place in Hapjeong, so I stopped by.

I'm a big galbi-jjim fan, so I went in with high hopes, and from the first impression I could feel the care put into every dish. The place was clean and comfortable, and it suits anything from a meal to drinks.

What side dishes does Bongmaruji Hapjeong serve?

The side dishes came in five kinds: seasoned bean sprouts, stir-fried kimchi, parsley radish wraps, macaroni salad and yuja (citron) pickled radish. They were the first thing to arrive after we sat down, and they caught my eye right away.

It's not just about the number of sides. Each one tastes different, so they make the main dish even more enjoyable. The crunchy bean sprouts went well with the spicy galbi-jjim, and the stir-fried kimchi was so savory I kept reaching for it.

The parsley radish wraps were especially memorable, since you don't see that combination often, and the fresh radish cleanly cut the spiciness between bites. The yuja pickled radish had a faint citrus aroma and was much lighter than regular pickled radish, while the macaroni salad had a gentle taste that balanced everything out.

Hutgae fruit tea before the meal

Hutgae fruit tea (a toasty tea made from oriental raisin tree fruit) is served before the meal, and that impressed me too. They even post the benefits of hutgae fruit, which shows attention to small details. It was nutty and easy to drink, a nice way to get your appetite going.

How is the spicy galbi-jjim with extra bean sprouts?

We ordered the spicy galbi-jjim with extra bean sprouts and the tuna rice ball. True to the name, the dish was piled with bean sprouts, and thanks to their crunch the spicy galbi-jjim never felt heavy.

The ribs were simmered so long that the meat came off the bone easily, and the sauce was hot yet sweet and savory, so my chopsticks kept going back. It's not just spicy; there's real depth to the sauce, so I never got tired of it to the very end. Eating the sprouts with the ribs brought out the texture, and the sauce-soaked sprouts were a treat on their own.

The tuna rice ball is make-it-yourself

The tuna rice ball (jumeokbap) at Bongmaruji Hapjeong is a make-it-yourself affair. I wished there were a bit more tuna, but it went well with the galbi-jjim.

Eating the neatly rolled round rice balls with the spicy galbi-jjim tamed the heat nicely and made a great combination.

My recommended way to eat: a piece of rib + bean sprouts + rice ball

My personal favorite is eating one piece of rib, a bite of bean sprouts and a bite of rice ball all together.

See that grain of the meat? Tender, soft and just right. Total winner.

A zero lemon drink, rare at a meat restaurant

Another plus at Bongmaruji Hapjeong is that they sell a zero lemon drink. It's hard to find at meat restaurants, and they even bring a cup of ice so you can drink it ice-cold, which I loved.

Taking a sip of zero lemon in the middle of the spicy galbi-jjim refreshed my mouth and brought my appetite right back. Even a small touch like this shows consideration for customers, and it made the meal more enjoyable.

Finishing with fried rice in the galbi-jjim sauce

After eating a good amount of galbi-jjim, we ordered the fried rice you can't skip. Fried in the leftover sauce, it was the classic way to end the meal.

The nutty seaweed and the sauce came together so that we could enjoy the rich flavor of the galbi-jjim to the very end, and even though I was full I kept eating. Nothing disappointed from start to finish: the sides, the main dish and the fried rice that works as dessert were all satisfying.

Is it worth recommending for spicy galbi-jjim in Hapjeong?

If you're looking for spicy galbi-jjim in Hapjeong, I'm happy to recommend Bongmaruji Hapjeong. Careful side dishes, galbi-jjim topped with plenty of bean sprouts, a DIY tuna rice ball and fried rice made for a perfect meal.

It's a great fit for get-togethers with friends, and also for dates or family meals, so next time galbi-jjim crosses my mind, this is the first place I'd go back to.

Good to know before you go

Please note that the restroom at Bongmaruji Hapjeong is outside the restaurant. Check out the menu too, and enjoy your meal!