Gangnam Korean restaurant for spicy octopus noodle soup: Obongjip

I’d heard that Obongjip Samseong Branch, a popular spot near Samseong Station, serves kalnakji with plump octopus and knife-cut noodles, so I went to try it with Obongjip bossam! I’d wanted to taste Obongjip’s popular bossam (boiled pork wraps) and spicy kalnakji (octopus with knife-cut noodles) combination for ages, so I visited with a very excited heart. With its well-rounded spread and deep, rich seasoning, this was a Samseong Station restaurant where I enjoyed a hearty, satisfying meal.

Location and atmosphere at Obongjip Samseong Branch near Samseong Station

Obongjip Samseong Branch is easy to find: come out of Exit 5 of Samseong Station and walk straight for about five minutes. It is in a spot with excellent public-transit access, so even on my first visit, I got there easily without getting lost.

The sleek, orderly exterior sign is easy to spot, making this a great Samseong Station restaurant to find at a glance. From around the entrance to the dining room, everything was kept clean and tidy, so it felt pleasant from the moment I walked in.

Inside, the spacious, open room felt comfortable rather than cramped. The tables were generously spaced apart, so I could focus fully on my meal without being bothered by the people around me!

Medium Obongjip Bossam and the side dishes

Looking through the tablet menu was fun because it had such a satisfying range of dishes and meal options. After debating between set meals and à la carte dishes, I wanted lots of meat, so I ordered the medium Obongjip Bossam and Kalnakji for 2!

After we ordered, they set down a whole large round tray filled with a variety of side dishes! I loved the range, from hot yeokguk soup to braised burdock root and soya, a sausage-and-vegetable stir-fry!

The Obongjip Bossam we finally settled on came neatly arranged on a round tray with an old-school feel.

The glossy boiled pork and appetizing bossam kimchi were piled on generously and immediately caught my eye. The pork had absolutely no unpleasant smell, was boiled wonderfully tender, and became more savory and nutty with every bite!

The bossam kimchi, deeply infused with a special sweet-and-spicy seasoning, went perfectly with the savory pork. Its crisp texture cleanly cut through the richness of the meat, and I think I ate it while exclaiming over and over, haha. Wrapping tender pork, kimchi, and garlic in fresh ssam greens made me so happy with every big bite!

Kalnakji with plump octopus and knife-cut noodles

Kalnakji, the signature meal dish we ordered alongside the bossam, arrived in a large bowl with red broth. A whole, plump octopus and springy knife-cut noodles were generously tucked into the rich broth, and just looking at it made me feel well fed.

Once I cut the large octopus into easy-to-eat pieces and tried it, its chewy yet tender texture was absolutely excellent! The freshness of the octopus stood out, and its clean savory flavor became more pronounced as I chewed, blending clearly with the deep seasoning.

The moderately thick knife-cut noodles stayed wonderfully springy while soaking up the broth seasoning all the way through. Every time I lifted a bundle of noodles, they were deeply flavored with a spicy, warming kick that made the meal even more satisfying.

While eating the kalnakji, I added the bean sprouts that came as a side dish. Their crisp texture worked so well with the chewy octopus, making it taste even fresher and more refreshing.

There was a guide on the wall explaining how to enjoy octopus stir-fry and kalnakji. We were too full to add rice, but I think it would have been delicious with seaweed-flake rice and sesame oil too!

Wrapping up with bossam and kalnakji together

Obongjip Samseong Branch near Samseong Station was a place where I could perfectly enjoy the combination of neatly prepared bossam and spicy, warming kalnakji. Its generous portions and deeply flavored dishes made the entire meal such a happy experience. With its thoughtfully put-together spread and care-filled atmosphere, it is a restaurant I would want to revisit anytime I am craving a tidy, satisfying meal!