# Jinju restaurant for spicy cod cheek stew with roe: Jjimgoeul Gajwa - By Sanha (https://superchart.com/en/@restaurants-along-way/) - Written Aug 31, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jinju, Gyeongnam - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@restaurants-along-way/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@restaurants-along-way/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/index.md) ## In short Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch is a monkfish and braised-stew restaurant in Gajwa-dong, Jinju, run directly by the son of the original Jjimgoeul in Dongseong-dong, which has been in business for over 30 years using the same seasoning. For a rainy-day lunch, the small cod cheek stew (daegu ppoljjim) came with cod roe added at spice level 1 of 6, slightly spicy, and the small size alone fed three adults. The cod cheek was chewy and the roe soft, so Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch is a solid pick for a spicy stew with great texture. ## Good to know - **Location**: 120-42 Gaeyang-ro, Jinju, Gyeongnam (Building 1) - **Hours**: Mon–Sat 11:00–21:00 (break 14:30–17:00, last order 20:00) - **Closed**: Sundays - **Parking**: In front of the building - **Ordering**: Kiosk ordering, choose from 6 spice levels - **What we ate**: Small cod cheek stew + cod roe added, spice level 1 (slightly spicy) *as written by the visitor on Aug 31, 2026* On a day when rain kept drizzling down, I was craving spicy monkfish stew and rushed over to the newly opened Jjimgoeul in Gajwa-dong. I can't handle spice well, but I don't know why spicy monkfish stew calls to me every once in a while. ![Exterior of Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch in Gajwa-dong, Jinju on a rainy day](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-01-1mcd1-900.webp) ## Where is Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch, and what are the hours? Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch is on the 1st floor, 120-42 Gaeyang-ro, Jinju, Gyeongnam, and you can park right in front of the building. It's open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 21:00, with a break from 14:30 to 17:00, last order at 20:00, and closed on Sundays. - Location: 120-42 Gaeyang-ro, Jinju, Gyeongnam, South Korea - Hours: Mon–Sat 11:00–21:00 - Break time: 14:30–17:00 / Last order 20:00 - Closed: Sundays - Parking: In front of the building ![Entrance and signage at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-02-710g6-900.webp) ## Inside Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch: is it good for groups? The interior of Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch is very clean and tidy. Tables for 2 and 4 are nicely arranged, and there's enough space along the wall for small groups to eat comfortably too. ![Interior of Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch with tables for 2 and 4](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-03-76t2g-900.webp) ## Menu and the 6 spice levels at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch The menu at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch includes main dishes like monkfish stew, cod cheek stew, seafood stew, and blue crab stew, plus pork cutlet and rice with seaweed flakes, so it's easy to bring kids along too. ![Menu board at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch listing monkfish stew, cod cheek stew, and seafood stew](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-04-hshum-900.webp) ![Menu at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch featuring pork cutlet and seaweed flake rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-05-1h4gd-900.webp) You order through a kiosk, and you can choose your spice level too. Level 0 is mild, then slightly spicy, medium spicy (about Shin Ramyun level), quite spicy, very spicy, and 'seriously spicy for real' — six levels in total. ![Kiosk at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch for selecting one of 6 spice levels](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-06-nov48-900.webp) The small cod cheek stew we ordered. ![Table set with the ordered small cod cheek stew](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-07-cgnqm-900.webp) 'Sincerity delivered by fingertips, a place remembered through taste' — that phrase really stuck with me. It felt like a statement of the owner's determination to win people over with flavor. ![Wall text reading 'Sincerity delivered by fingertips' at the restaurant](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-08-1567y-900.webp) ## What side dishes come with the stew? The side dishes included cabbage salad, sautéed king oyster mushrooms, cucumber-onion pickles, sautéed seaweed stems, and cucumber-pepper doenjang (soybean paste) salad. Since the monkfish stew itself is spicy by default (though a non-spicy version exists too), the side dishes were all mild, without any chili flakes. Felt like a thoughtful touch from the owner for the guests! ![Five side dishes including cabbage salad and sautéed seaweed stems](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-09-53l6a-899.webp) ## Small cod cheek stew with cod roe added, spice level 1 I added roe to the cod cheek stew and chose spice level 1, slightly spicy. Adding the roe turned out to be a genius move. It looked absolutely mouthwatering too. ![Small cod cheek stew served with roe added](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-10-lv14z-1200.webp) Even though it was the small size, the portion was incredibly generous — plenty for three adults to eat. The bean sprouts were crisp, the roe was soft, and the cod cheek was really chewy. All the different textures mixing together in my mouth made for a satisfying bite. ![Chewy cod cheek lifted along with bean sprouts](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-11-1trfk-900.webp) ![Soft roe mixed with fresh water dropwort in the stew](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-12-17qai-900.webp) The firm, springy cod cheek, the soft and savory roe, and fresh water dropwort mixed together — it really was excellent in both taste and texture. ![Cod cheek stew eaten alongside a bowl of rice](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-13-1rzao-900.webp) Eaten together with rice, a bowl disappears in no time! The sauce was so good I wanted to add noodles too, but the rice bowl was already packed so full that I was too stuffed to manage it — a bit of a shame. ![Table at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch after finishing the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-14-1mno6-899.webp) ## How is Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch related to the Dongseong-dong original? The original Jjimgoeul has been running in Dongseong-dong, Jinju for over 30 years and is already a well-known monkfish stew restaurant. Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch inherited the original location's traditional seasoning and flavor exactly, and is run directly by the son. Now you can enjoy Jjimgoeul's taste in Gajwa-dong without heading all the way downtown. ![Sign noting Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch continues the tradition of the Dongseong-dong original](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-15-1p20i-900.webp) ![Vertical shot of the interior and signboard of Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul-16-4rjie-900.webp) ## Would I go back to Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch? The savory spiciness, tidy side dishes, and clean interior all left me satisfied at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch. This time I had the cod cheek stew, but next time I plan to try the monkfish stew and seafood stew too. If you're after something spicy to blow off steam or food with great texture, Jjimgoeul is worth a visit. ## Where it is - Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch (찜고을 가좌점) - 120-42 Gaeyang-ro, Jinju, Gyeongnam, South Korea - 경상남도 진주시 개양로 120-42 주1동 1층 - 35.1529905, 128.1196722 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%B0%9C%EA%B3%A0%EC%9D%84%20%EA%B0%80%EC%A2%8C%EC%A0%90/@35.1529905,128.1196722,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@restaurants-along-way/jinju-gajwa-dong-cod-cheek-jjim-jjimgoeul/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt