Weekday lunch kimchi jjim set in Bansong-dong, Dongtan: Yangpuni

I went and had a proper meal at Yangpuni Kimchi Jjigae & Samgyeopsal in Bansong-dong, Dongtan. As the name suggests, it's got that nostalgic, well-worn setup and generous portions that have made it a neighborhood favorite — this time I tried one of their signature set menus, the kimchi jjim and egg roll set.

Where is Yangpuni Kimchi Jjigae & Samgyeopsal in Dongtan?

Today's Bansong-dong spot, Yangpuni Kimchi Jjigae & Samgyeopsal, sits on the Gaenari Park food alley in Dongtan. The Samsung Electronics Dongtan branch is right next door, so apparently a lot of office workers stop by for lunch or team dinners.

The storefront, parking and the 1,900-won soju on the sign

There's parking space too, so it's convenient to drive over. The sign out front has a line that stops you in your tracks: soju, 1,900 won!!! In an era of 6,000-won soju, what a kind price. Since I'd driven, I couldn't drink, but I decided I'll definitely leave the car at home next time.

There was also this cute food model at the counter. I wonder where they even buy these??

Push open the door and you're greeted by that cozy, familiar neighborhood-restaurant vibe. The interior is simple but tidy, and the owner's friendly greeting put me in a good mood — and even though it was daytime, quite a few tables were having daytime drinks.

Menu and order: the 28,000-won samgyeop kimchi jjim set

It's a kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) and samgyeopsal (pork belly) place, but the kimchi jjigae seems to be the bigger draw — most tables were digging into either kimchi jjigae or kimchi jjim. I was craving something spicy and rich, so I ordered the samgyeop kimchi jjim set (28,000 won), which comes with an egg roll.

Shockingly, soju is 1,900 won — whoa. In an age where soju costs over 6,000 won, this place feels like such a gift. I briefly considered ordering a drink and calling a designated driver, but decided to hold off. TT

How big is the egg roll that comes with the set?

The best companion to the spicy kick of kimchi jjim is definitely egg roll (gyeranmari). If you thought a set-menu egg roll would be some flimsy afterthought, think again. It comes out thick and hefty enough to fill the whole plate, packed solid and fluffy with no air pockets inside. One bite and the savory, soft texture of egg fills your mouth — the seasoning is just right, and the ketchup drizzled prettily on top ties it all together beautifully. Put a bite of spicy-tangy kimchi jjim on top of rice, then follow it with a warm, savory bite of egg roll, and the flavors balance perfectly. I never expected the egg roll to come out this big — it looked like it had about ten eggs in it...

The egg roll comes out so large that you could finish a whole bowl of rice on it alone.

The kimchi jjim and egg roll set comes with well-braised kimchi jjim alongside a palm-sized, pillowy egg roll. If you're a fan of Korean food, this combo simply cannot fail.

How does the kimchi jjim at Yangpuni taste?

The kimchi jjim arrives piled generously into a pot, and the visual alone is enough to spark serious appetite. Whole pieces of well-fermented sour kimchi go in, giving it deep flavor, and the pork mixed in has zero off-smell, thick-cut with just the right ratio of lean meat to fat. It must have simmered a long time, because the meat was so tender it pulled apart in shreds at the touch of chopsticks. The tangy, deeply savory flavor of the sour kimchi mingled with the richness of the pork fat — a single spoonful of broth or one piece of kimchi alone was enough to demolish a bowl of rice. It wasn't aggressively spicy, but the deep, sharp broth flavor kept the rice disappearing fast. It was so rich and delicious that I wished I'd had makgeolli (rice wine) alongside, but I'll save that for next time. TT

Final verdict on Yangpuni's kimchi jjim set

Yangpuni Kimchi Jjigae & Samgyeopsal in Bansong-dong, Dongtan, is a place I'd confidently recommend to anyone looking for a hearty, gentle-on-the-stomach Korean meal, or that dream combo of proper kimchi jjim and pillowy egg roll. Generous portions, consistently deep flavor, and that warm, familiar feeling all add up to a place you can always leave satisfied. And the absolutely wild 1,900-won soju is a huge draw — next time, I'm definitely having pork belly with a glass of soju.