Hongdae Korean restaurant for solo pork kimchi stew: Bap Jangin

It was one of those days when I wanted a bowl of rice mixed into a slow-simmered kimchi stew. I went looking for a Hongdae spot that's fine for eating alone, and Bap Jangin kept showing up as a popular kimchi stew place, so I went.

It was easy to eat alone and the food came out neat and clean, so I was happy with it. Let me introduce it to you.

Is Bap Jangin Hongdae Branch easy to find from Hongik Univ. Station?

Bap Jangin Hongdae Branch (밥장인 홍대점) is a short walk from Hongik Univ. Station.

It's tucked inside an alley, so I looked around a bit at first, but it wasn't hard to find. The easy access makes it a no-stress option at lunchtime too.

Maybe because there are lots of offices and foot traffic around, customers kept coming in throughout mealtime.

Is Bap Jangin Hongdae Branch comfortable for eating alone?

The inside was tidy overall. The spacing between tables was decent, and quite a few other people were dining solo, so eating alone didn't feel awkward at all.

The staff showed me to a seat quickly, so even though I came alone I could start my meal comfortably. It's a great atmosphere for a quick lunch, and I could see why office workers come here so often.

Ordering the pork kimchi stew: spice levels and toppings

The menu had plenty of Korean dishes, but I'd come for kimchi stew in the first place, so I ordered the pork kimchi stew without any dithering.

You can also pick the spice level, and I chose a level that's moderately kick-y.

Toppings can be added too, but the basic setup seemed like enough, so I didn't add any.

Using the self-serve bar, sesame oil and seaweed flakes for tastier rice

The self-bar had basic side dishes like kimchi, bean sprouts and pickled chili, and I liked that I could grab as much as I needed while waiting for the food.

The table also had seaweed flakes and sesame oil, so it was perfect for mixing rice the way you like. I drizzled a little sesame oil, added a generous amount of seaweed flakes, then put the kimchi stew on top and mixed it all together. This combo was seriously satisfying!

What does Bap Jangin's pork kimchi stew broth taste like?

I really liked the broth: spicy yet rich. After a little while the pork kimchi stew arrived bubbling away. The color of the broth looked so appetizing it made my mouth water, and it was packed with big pieces of tofu and pork.

I tried a spoonful of broth first. The tanginess of the kimchi and the savory depth from the pork blended well, exactly the flavor I'd been expecting.

It's not the type that's just aggressively hot. It was spicy but deep, and it kept making me want more rice.

How much pork is in Bap Jangin's kimchi stew?

There was quite a lot of pork in the stew, so I wasn't left wanting more right to the end. I think meat is the most important thing in kimchi stew, and the amount of meat made this a satisfying meal.

The pork was tender with no gamey smell, and it paired really well with the kimchi. The broth had soaked in nicely too, so I enjoyed it down to the last piece.

The tofu had soaked up the broth as well, so every bite was soft and nutty.

A Hongdae kimchi stew restaurant that's easy for solo diners

Some restaurants make you feel self-conscious when you come alone, but Bap Jangin, this Hongdae kimchi stew spot, wasn't like that at all.

Lots of customers were dining solo and the food comes out fairly fast, so it looked good for a simple lunch too. On a day when you want a hearty meal or crave hot broth, I think you'd be very happy here.

I came alone this time, but as I ate I naturally thought of my girlfriend. One kimchi stew alone was already plentiful, and with so many other Korean dishes on the menu, next time I'd like to order a bunch and share.

It seems lots of people also order the jjageuli (thick, rich stew) and bulgogi (marinated beef), so I plan to try the new dishes on my next visit.

Final verdict on Bap Jangin Hongdae Branch

Bap Jangin Hongdae Branch is a place where you can have a satisfying meal on a day you're craving spicy, hearty broth.

The restaurant is clean, and the food comes out neatly,

and above all the kimchi stew tastes good, so I immediately understood why so many people recommend it as a Hongdae kimchi stew spot.

If you're looking for somewhere that's easy to eat alone and good for a filling meal, it's worth a visit.

Next time I'll go back with my girlfriend and enjoy some other dishes together.