Mild-spice octopus rice bowl near Begonia Garden in Gapyeong: Paldang
Paldang Jikhwa Bul Jjukkumi is a flame-grilled jjukkumi (baby octopus) rice bowl restaurant on Hanseo-ro in Seorak-myeon, Gapyeong, Gyeonggi. Stopping in with a baby after visiting Begonia New Garden, the writer ordered two grilled octopus and pork belly rice bowls (14,000 won) and a handmade pork loin cutlet (11,000 won), and was surprised by a self-serve bar with tteokbokki, sundae and fried mandu plus free sikhye and coffee. The heat stays gentle enough for people who can't take spice while the smoky char flavor runs deep, making Paldang Jikhwa Bul Jjukkumi worth another stop on any trip to Seorak in Gapyeong.