Jonggak Station dinner linked underground: 1988 hamburg steak

Jonggak lunch — and dinner — spot: Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch

On a day I had a dinner plan near the office, I was craving Korean food and ended up at the newly opened Bonghyejane Jubang in Jongno Tower. The menu is made up of neat set meals, and it's especially known for its spicy octopus stir-fry. Here's a hearty Korean restaurant near Jonggak Station worth knowing about.

Where Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch is, and what it feels like inside

Bonghyejane Jubang is right in front of Jonggak Station Exit 3-1, on B2 of Jongno Tower. If you're coming by subway, you can walk straight there underground without ever going outside!

It's right next to Jongno Bookstore, so it's super easy to get to. Inside, I was struck by how warm and cozy it felt — like walking into someone's home. There are lots of tables that can also be pushed together, so it looks great for group gatherings or work dinners too. I also spotted quite a few solo diners, so it's a comfortable place for anyone to eat.

Menu and set options at Bonghyejane, plus the receipt review event

True to the "one of Seoul's top 3 restaurants" tagline, the menu was really packed! Besides the signature whole octopus stir-fry, there's a wide range of set meals good for a full meal. On the side, there are also fun specialty items like gamtae gimbap (seaweed rice roll), zucchini pancake, and bibim jjolmyeon (spicy chewy noodles) with flat dumplings — great for a drink after work too.

The signature menu can also be ordered as a set with a variety of sides.

✨ Review event — write a receipt review and get a free bottle of alcohol or a drink.

What comes with the spicy stir-fried octopus set (16.0)

🗒️ What we ordered — nakji-bokkeum (spicy stir-fried octopus) set ₩16,000 / 1988 hamburg steak set ₩13,500

The nakji-bokkeum set 🦑 I picked looks properly loaded, doesn't it? The mushroom perilla soup also comes in a mini size. The pumpkin porridge was perfect to finish off as dessert.

One bite of the plump octopus and I could taste the spicy sauce laced with a subtle char flavor — really good. Eating it with the cabbage added a nice crunchy texture too. Great as a drinking snack, haha.

The mushroom perilla soup warms you right up!! Savory and smooth — it'd be perfect if you're feeling under the weather 👍🏻

Picking things up piece by piece is nice, but you've got to scoop that flavorful sauce onto the rice and mix it all together 🤍

They piled the rice generously with seaweed flakes and chicory. Honestly it'd be a crime not to turn this into a bibimbap. Why is red food always so delicious? I cleaned the whole bowl 😋

The 1988 hamburg steak set (13.5): how thick is the patty?

My friend with a picky, kid-like palate ordered the 1988 hamburg steak. One piece of hamburg steak, rice, and a fried egg — a full, hearty meal in itself 🤩 It also comes with fries and salad, so it doesn't get boring.

The hamburg steak was seriously the size of a fist, haha. It's so thick that I first wondered if one piece would even be enough, but by the end my friend said they were completely stuffed.

Cutting it in half, the juices came pouring out. Thick, moist hamburg steak paired with sweet demi-glace sauce — a combination pretty much everyone would like. It's especially the kind of flavor kids love, so it'd also be great for a family meal out!

The rice came topped with a fried egg, tasting just like the nostalgic classic.

The fluffy fries were also really good.

Mukbap (acorn jelly with noodles) also came out, perfect as a palate cleanser. Each set comes with different sides, so it's fun to order different menus and share. If you're looking for a hearty Korean meal near Jonggak Station, check out Bonghyejane Jubang Jongno Tower branch, tucked in the basement of Jongno Tower.