Kimchi jjigae restaurant in Sejong with free ramen: Chung-sil Hoegwan

Chung-sil Hoegwan, a kimchi stew restaurant in Hansol-dong, Sejong: the basics

Located in Hansol-dong, Sejong, Chung-sil Hoegwan is a kimchi stew (kimchi-jjigae) specialty restaurant and also a pork belly spot. It's closed every Monday, open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 10pm, with a break time from 2:30pm to 5pm and last order at 9pm.

A place I keep thinking about, like kimchi stew made with a mom's touch — I visited Chung-sil Hoegwan in Sejong. :)

A spacious dining room that takes reservations from two people to large groups

My first visit in a while! Still just as clean and well-organized. The space is spacious, and around lunchtime this place has that cozy feeling that keeps pulling you back — known for great food and friendly service.

A well-loved spot for its value — both portion and taste! As lunchtime rolled around, the restaurant filled up with groups of customers. Tables can be reserved for anywhere from 2 people to large groups.

The soft paintings covering the walls at Chung-sil Hoegwan add to the mood while you're eating kimchi stew.

A cool line no matter how many times you see it. Reading that they don't skimp on fresh ingredients builds some real trust.

What is on the Chung-sil Hoegwan self-bar? Free ramen noodles included

The self-bar has the tableware and side dishes you need ready to go. Daytime tends to bring in customers mainly for kimchi stew, but since the pork belly here is also great, there are companion ingredients set out that go well with it too.

It's free, so not trying the ramen would be a crime, you know?! The kimchi stew broth pairs cleanly with ramen noodles, so I hope you enjoy them together.

Kimchi stew with galbi: enough for two adults

The dishes at Chung-sil Hoegwan come out really fast. Last time I had kimchi stew with steamed egg, but this time I ordered the kimchi stew with galbi (short rib).

A neat spread arrives. Kimchi stew and side dishes that are pure rice thieves. Chung-sil Hoegwan serves rice as sotbap (stone pot rice), so the portion is on the bigger side. But somehow all that rice disappears without a trace once paired with the stew — the ma~~~gic~~~

Time to start simmering the well-fermented kimchi, fresh ingredients, and galbi.

Everything comes out already cooked, so it doesn't need to simmer long.

Even with the same ingredients, why do Chung-sil Hoegwan's side dishes taste even better..?!

Once it's bubbling away, wait a little longer for the tofu to soak up the kimchi broth. While waiting, I cut the well-fermented kimchi into bite-sized pieces.

Ah... looking at the photos and video while writing this makes me crave it all over again. That tangy sourness of well-fermented kimchi, different from aged mukeunji, really wakes up your appetite.

I pulled out the galbi and stacked it up to check — a generous amount for two adults to eat.

Well-braised meat comes off the bone so easily. And easy bone separation means? The meat isn't tough!! Which is why Chung-sil Hoegwan, this Sejong kimchi stew favorite, is even more enjoyable to eat.

How much sotbap (stone pot rice) do you get?

The Chung-sil Hoegwan sotbap arrived. The portion is seriously huge. Whenever I see sotbap, I seriously consider buying a stone pot myself.. if my electric rice cooker ever breaks, I might just have to gift myself one :)

Can you feel that glossy shine?! The fluffy rice tastes really good.

Asking for a broth refill to boil the ramen noodles chewy

I enjoyed the meal and deliberately left some broth behind. I wanted to add ramen noodles..

You all know this combo is a golden pairing, right? Rice and kimchi together, and you'll easily go through two bowls of rice. lol

But the broth looks a little short, doesn't it?! It seemed like the broth might disappear once it started simmering, so I asked the owner for more.

The owner generously poured in more broth. It's plentiful again. Feels like a fresh start. It's a different taste and mood from ramen noodles cooked in budae-jjigae (army stew) — this way you get to enjoy the ramen broth much chewier, I think!!

Gotta cook it up nice and chewy!!

Ate really well again today :) Thanks to the consistently kind owner and staff, it was a comfortable meal. If you're craving stew made with well-fermented kimchi today, how about Chung-sil Hoegwan?!