Dujeong-dong budae-jjigae with kids' tableware at 1:30pm: Cheongwon

Hi, this is Tou-yu Mom. We came out to Cheonan on the weekend to look at curtains with the family, and had to figure out where to grab lunch. While searching for a place good to visit with kids, I came across Cheongwon Restaurant: Cooking Budae-jjigae, Cheonan Dujeong Main Branch.

I usually love spicy soup dishes, so I had high expectations, and it turned out even better than I thought — a place I still remember fondly. In particular, the combo of the spicy budae-jjigae broth and the egg roll we got as a service item worked so well together that we left full and satisfied.

Cheongwon Restaurant in Dujeong-dong: hours, parking and location

• Location: 1487 Dujeong-dong, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
• Hours: Mon–Sun 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (closed every Sunday)
• Parking: nearby public parking lot and street parking available

Inside Cheongwon Restaurant: still filling up at 1:30 p.m.

We visited around 1:30pm, a bit past lunch rush, but customers kept coming in. As soon as one table finished and left, a new set of customers filled it right back up — pretty impressive to see.

The interior was neatly kept overall, and the tables were spaced comfortably enough for a family meal. No cramped or stuffy feeling — just a relaxed atmosphere to eat in, which I appreciated.

What stood out most was seeing both families and office workers dining together. It didn't feel awkward at all to bring kids along, so we could enjoy the meal without any worry. The staff were also friendly from order to service, which got the meal off to a good start.

The Cheongwon Restaurant menu: two kinds of budae-jjigae

Cheongwon offers two types of budae-jjigae (army stew).

After some deliberation, we went with the Cheongwon budae-jjigae, known for its spicy kick. Since it comes with beef brisket, we were also hoping for a nuttier, richer flavor.

Since we came with kids, we also ordered a pork cutlet. I was a little worried that a budae-jjigae specialty restaurant might not have much for kids to eat, but that concern was naturally solved. They also provided kid-friendly tableware, which made things easier.

If you take part in the Naver review event, they give you a free egg roll — and we made sure not to miss out on that. But what I liked most was that rice and ramyeon noodles are unlimited refills. For big eaters or families, that's a setup you can really enjoy.

How does the beef brisket Cheongwon budae-jjigae taste?

After a short wait, the Cheongwon budae-jjigae arrived along with neatly arranged side dishes. Each banchan (side dish) was tidily prepared, so we enjoyed nibbling on them while waiting for the main dish.

The budae-jjigae looked hearty just from the sight of it, and the generous amount of beef brisket made it look even more appetizing. Once it started bubbling, the spicy broth aroma spread through the air, and I couldn't help but salivate.

Taking a first spoonful of broth, it was spicy yet clean, filling my mouth completely. Budae-jjigae can sometimes feel a bit greasy because of the ham and sausage, but Cheongwon's spicy broth cut through that greasiness well, so we could eat it to the last bite without getting tired of it.

The nutty flavor from the beef brisket deepened the broth even further, and the ham, sausage, and various other ingredients blended together for an even richer taste. Being able to freely add refills of rice and ramyeon noodles without hesitation was a big plus for a family meal. Mixing a bowl of rice into the hot broth made for a truly satisfying meal.

The pork cutlet the kids ate

The pork cutlet we ordered for the kids also exceeded expectations. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside — the kids really dug in. The fries that came with it were also a hit. Thanks to the cutlet, the kids finished their meal happily too.

Free review-event egg roll with the budae-jjigae

And what I was most satisfied with was the egg roll we got from the Naver review event.

The thick egg roll had a moist, soft texture that was really lovely. After eating the spicy budae-jjigae, a bite of egg roll softened the heat perfectly — the combination was genuinely great. Everyone in the family enjoyed it, and it was made with a care that made it hard to believe it was just a free service item.

At first, I had wondered whether it would be okay to bring kids to a budae-jjigae specialty restaurant, but thanks to the pork cutlet option, it turned out to be no trouble at all with young children. The kids enjoyed their cutlet while the adults enjoyed the spicy budae-jjigae — a fully satisfying spot for a family outing.

Is Cheongwon Restaurant worth it with young kids?

This visit to Cheongwon Restaurant: Cooking Budae-jjigae, Cheonan Dujeong Main Branch was a proper Dujeong-dong, Cheonan spot to enjoy a spicy budae-jjigae broth. The combo of the nutty beef brisket budae-jjigae and the service egg roll was great, and the unlimited refills of rice and ramyeon noodles made for a filling meal. With a pork cutlet option for kids, it was also comfortable to visit with young children.

I think this place suits family dinners, but also works well for an office worker's lunch or a light drink after work. Next time I'm craving a spicy broth around Dujeong-dong, this is a Cheonan spot I'd want to visit again.