Seongsu Station army stew lunch, full by noon, pickled onions: Songtan

When does Songtan Jindaegwang Budae Jjigae in Seongsu get busy at lunch?

Songtan Jindaegwang Budae Jjigae (송탄진대광부대찌개) Seongsu Branch is busiest at lunchtime, from 12:00 to 1:00. It's a well-known lunch spot near Seongsu Station, and at lunch most people come just to eat rather than drink, so tables turn over fast and you don't have to wait long.

Opening hours, location and parking

• Mon–Fri 11:00–21:30 (last order 20:30)
• Sat–Sun 11:30–21:00 (last order 20:00)
• 31 m from Seongsu Station Exit 1
• Takeout discount, group seating, takeout, delivery, Wi-Fi, no pets, free parking

It's about a minute from Seongsu Station Exit 1, so it's very easy to get to. The parking lot in front of the building is free, which is handy if you're coming by car.

Quiet at 11:30, full by 12:00

Around 11:30 the seats were empty, but by 12:00 the place filled up with customers almost magically. The restaurant is big with lots of tables, and many office workers from the area came in groups. When I first walked in it was quieter than I expected and I doubted whether it was really a lunch hotspot, so, I'm sorry, I owe it an apology.

The mood is very retro. The clock, the tables, even the ventilation fan look old-fashioned, and fun oldies keep playing, so it was enjoyable and I caught myself singing along.

Songtan Jindaegwang Seongsu menu and what I ordered

• Jindaegwang army stew for 3: ₩39,000
• Premium sausage: ₩4,500
• Ramen noodles: ₩2,000

Staff bring the first rice and side dishes, and after that you refill sides and rice yourself at the self-serve bar. Rice is unlimited too, so it's an even more filling army stew lunch spot in Seongsu. And yes, there were really a lot of men eating there.

How long should army stew boil, and when do the ramen noodles go in?

You boil the stew with the lid on for about 6 minutes. The staff set a timer for you before they leave. They told me to add the ramen noodles only after the full 6 minutes were up.

How spicy is the army stew, and how does it taste?

It looks intensely red and spicy, but the heat is something anyone can enjoy. I added the premium sausage, and the pot was honestly full of ham. The green onions and onions in the stew are sweet and delicious too.

When I first opened the pot, it was packed with garlic, plus lots of green onion and onion. Maybe that's why the broth is so rich. The sausages aren't cheap, bland ones either: there's a variety of tasty ham with a snappy bite and strong ham flavor, and I loved it.

Broth refills, green onion kimchi and pickled onions

Every table has a broth kettle. Adding broth whenever you like and eating to your own taste was convenient and nice. The green onion kimchi and pickled onions (yangpa jangajji) served alongside are amazingly good. Putting the green onion kimchi on ramen soaked in the rich army stew broth tasted new and delicious again, and I had a really hearty lunch.

Is it a good office lunch near Seongsu Station?

Try Songtan Jindaegwang Seongsu once and you'll see why it's a top army stew lunch spot in Seongsu. You can down a bowl of rice with the stew in no time. The side dishes are tasty and the rice is unlimited, so it's a place for a solid meal in the middle of a hard-working day.

They even give you a slushie, coffee and yogurt for dessert at Songtan Jindaegwang Seongsu! 💜 The staff are friendly too, so it's a Seongsu restaurant you can relax in.