Perilla oil sauce seafood stew in Gajwa-dong, Jinju: Jjimgoeul Gajwa

Where is Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch in Jinju?

Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch is a newly opened monkfish and seafood stew restaurant at 120-42 Gaeyang-ro, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, right next to the Top Mart parking lot by Jinju Station. If you've been searching for a real monkfish stew spot in Gajwa-dong, Jinju, pay attention to this one!

Located right in the center of Gajwa-dong, it's very easy to park if you're driving, and the accessibility makes it a great spot for a weekday lunch or a weekend family meal out.

30 years of original recipes in a brand-new dining room

Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch carries over the deep expertise of the original restaurant, which built a 30-year tradition next to a training center before opening this new location in Gajwa-dong. The interior is clean and well-kept, the staff are friendly, and every table has a tablet ordering system, so we could order comfortably without any waiting. Thanks to the fresh, tidy feel and stylish interior of the new space, it was a pleasant experience the whole meal through.

Parking, high chairs and closing days at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch

Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch, located at 120-42 Gaeyang-ro (Ju1-dong 1F), Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, offers group dining, takeout, delivery, and reservations, along with high chairs, separate men's/women's restrooms, Wi-Fi, and dedicated parking — a great level of convenience for a family meal or gathering.

The restaurant is closed every Sunday, and it will also be closed during this Chuseok holiday (Sep 24–25), so it's best to check ahead before visiting. For anything else, reservations and other inquiries can be handled by phone.

Spice levels and the boneless monkfish add-on price

One big plus of the signature monkfish stew at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch is that the spice level can be freely adjusted to taste. There's also an unusual option you don't see often elsewhere: 'boneless monkfish add-on' (small ₩7,000 / medium ₩10,000). Highly recommended if you've always found picking bones out of monkfish a hassle, or if you just want to dig into plenty of meat without any fuss.

The side dishes set out before the main course also looked hand-made, neat, and clean, which raised our expectations for the main dish. From single dishes to noodle add-ons and side items, the menu was thoughtfully put together with real attention to the diner's convenience.

What does the perilla oil seafood stew taste like?

The seafood stew we finally tried at Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch exceeded expectations. It was loaded generously with big, plump seafood that had great texture, and it paired beautifully with the crunchy bean sprouts. Above all, the nutty, fragrant perilla oil (sesame oil) aroma that hit your nose and the deeply savory sauce that coated every bite were the real winning touch.

Udon noodles first, then rice stirred into the leftover sauce

Rather than being just spicy for the sake of it, the deep, rich sauce soaked all the way into the ingredients, so we never got tired of it and enjoyed it to the last bite. Adding the bouncy, chewy udon noodles and mixing them into the thickened sauce gave us the ultimate treat, the springy noodles and sauce working together perfectly. And at the end, don't forget to mix the rice into the leftover sauce and its rich perilla oil flavor — it's the perfect way to finish the meal.

Is Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch worth a visit?

From the neat, flavorful side dishes to the plump monkfish that made the main stew shine, all the way to the finishing course of udon noodles and rice bibim, nothing was lacking — it was a thoroughly satisfying meal. With 30 years of original recipe tradition combined with the comfort of a brand-new space, this place is a strong contender as a go-to lunch and dining spot in Gajwa-dong, Jinju.

If you're near Jinju Station looking for a delicious meal to whet your appetite, or a can't-miss monkfish stew specialist, I strongly recommend visiting 'Jjimgoeul Gajwa Branch,' which brings together generous portions and friendly service!