Seoul Korean restaurant, solo stew with free seaweed flakes: Bapjangin

Where to eat solo at Express Bus Terminal on your last Seoul night

I had my last meal in Seoul at Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch (밥장인 고속터미널점), just before 9pm on a Friday, after five days of schedule in the city. True to Bapjangin's motto, "A meal isn't something you just get through, it's something you really eat," it ended the trip on a happy note. The sign reads ㅂㅈㅇ (the initials of Bapjangin), and the brand feels as plain and no-frills as the name of Gatjjin Tteok Workshop (a rice cake shop). That makes me laugh, and somehow it feels sincere, doesn't it?

It was a warm, grateful kind of meal. This Express Bus Terminal Station Korean restaurant left me with the firm impression of a place that isn't about rushing through a meal, but about letting you eat a proper one for yourself.

A celebrity-approved one-person set meal spot, with stew/jjageuri spice adjustable in 3 levels. Free seaweed flakes (gimjaban) at every table, and friendly, efficient foreign staff. A satisfying meal spot.

• Address: 194 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, B1 Unit 20, Seoul Express Bus Terminal (across from Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam, connected underground to Express Bus Terminal Station)
• Hours: daily 10:00–22:00 (last order 21:10)

Where is Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch?

Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch sits on B1 of the Seoul Express Bus Terminal, across from Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam, so access is really excellent. It connects directly to Express Bus Terminal Station, so it's hard to beat for a stop before or after a bus ride, or after shopping.

It was around 8:30pm on a late Friday night, and the restaurant was still packed with diners. One wall had signatures and traces of several celebrities, and I thought, "Okay, this is a proven, solid gem of a place at Gotamin (the terminal area)."

Is it comfortable to go alone? Solo seats and foreign staff

Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch has seats and tables just for solo diners, so you can eat comfortably without feeling awkward at all. I noticed them the moment I walked in, and the tablet ordering system was really convenient too.

What impressed me most were the foreign staff, who were friendly and quick to help. It was nice to see people who came from other countries running a Korean restaurant with so much energy, and I thought foreign tourists visiting later would also find it friendly and easy for experiencing Korean food. The water bottle was unusual too.

I didn't eat the neat side dishes, but they looked good.

Bapjangin menu: stew, ramen noodles, Spam and free seaweed flakes

Looking at the Bapjangin menu, I was surprised once by how kind the prices were, and a second time by the details in how the meals are put together.

A varied lineup of set meals

There are spicy Korean stews like savory, thick jjageuri, kicky kimchi stew and sundubu (soft tofu) stew, and the detail that you can add ramen noodles on top was awesome! It was loaded with meat, too.

The classic sides: steamed egg and Spam

You can also add pudding-like steamed egg, a perfect match for the stew, and golden pan-fried Spam, so you can build a hearty spread to your own taste.

The best touch: free seaweed flakes

Every table has a generous container of seaweed flakes (gimgaru, also called gimjaban), so you can sprinkle as much as you like over your rice! Free seaweed flakes — I couldn't help admiring the thoughtfulness and care.

How was the taste? A meal scraped clean, not a drop of broth left

I got my stew, hot rice, Spam and steamed egg, then topped the rice with stew broth, tender bits of meat and seaweed flakes. The moment I took a big mouthful, it felt like the whole day's fatigue melted away like snow.

The kick of the stew, the softness of the steamed egg and the saltiness of the Spam came together beautifully. So that nothing was left to regret, I really scraped the bowl clean, not a drop of broth or a grain of rice left!

Steamed egg and ramen noodles

Delicious seaweed-flake rice

Well-seasoned kimchi and meat

Soft tofu

And the can't-go-wrong combo, Spam :)

It was a grateful meal that reminded me that rice isn't just about easing hunger; you only come back to life, body and mind, by eating properly prepared food. No wonder it was full!

Verdict: if you're looking for a Korean solo meal at Express Bus Terminal

I was so thankful to wrap up my busy, intense Seoul schedule with Bapjangin's warm, delicious stew set. Thanks to the hearty meal that filled both my stomach and my heart, I was able to get through the weekend duties on Saturday and Sunday safely, with even more joy and warmth!

If you're looking for tasty Korean food near Express Bus Terminal, a great-value stew, and a perfect solo spot where you can relax without feeling watched, I wholeheartedly recommend stopping by Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch for a warm bowl of rice.