Gogol Reservoir jjukkumi restaurant in Hanam: jujube-pumpkin rice pot

When I want good baby octopus in Hanam, Jigueseo On Jjukkumi Hanam Main Branch (지구에서 온 쭈꾸미 하남본점) is one of the first places that comes to mind. This time I had the perilla-oil jjukkumi set and the seafood pajeon. It was filling as a regular meal, and it works well for a family dinner or a group get-together too.

Where is Jigueseo On Jjukkumi Hanam Main Branch, and is there parking?

The restaurant is near Gogol Reservoir in Chungung-dong, Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, and there is a large private parking lot right in front, so visiting by car is easy. It is a place you reach more comfortably by car than by public transport, but getting here from Hanam City Hall or the Misa area was not hard. Not having to worry about parking was a big plus.

It is a fair distance from the nearest subway station, so I recommend driving rather than walking. In return, the quiet location lets you enjoy a relaxed meal. It is also known as a drive course near Seoul, so I thought it would be a good weekend outing too.

• Address: 5 Seohanam-ro 390beon-gil, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do (514-2 Chungung-dong)
• Hours: 11:00 – 21:00
• Parking: private lot available

Entrance and exterior of Jigueseo On Jjukkumi

At the entrance, a red-lettered jjukkumi sign stood out. The standing signboard out front introduced the perilla-oil jjukkumi set, with phrases like "healthy perilla oil with a natural aroma" and "baby octopus full of the scent of the sea," which raised my expectations for the menu.

Large glass doors in a blue frame and soft string-bulb lighting made the place feel clean and comfortable. You can see the inside from outside, so even first-time visitors can walk in without hesitation.

Around the entrance, pine bonsai and garden stones created a tasteful atmosphere. On one side, a cute puppy figure and a sign reading "Smile :) Let's laugh today too" added a charming touch.

Dining room with jungle dolls and hanok-style doors

Near the entrance, a giraffe family, monkeys and orangutan dolls are placed here and there, giving the place a fun, jungle-like mood. Star-shaped lights hang from the ceiling, and on one side a hanok (traditional Korean house) door, onggi (earthenware) and jars come together in a unique interior that left an impression.

The dining room was spacious and tidy. The open kitchen made me trust the place even more, and the self-serve bar and the drink and broth corner were well organized and easy to use. Overall it felt very clean.

There were window seats and roomy tables, and with the ceiling decorations and lighting the room felt bright and pleasant.

A serving robot is also in operation, which was handy. Lots of families and groups were visiting, and the mood was comfortable rather than rowdy. It is a relaxed enough space for a couple's date too. I also noticed a sign about special bean sprouts germinated in yellow clay and grown with jijangsu (a traditional clay-filtered water).

Cute dolls, small props and natural-feeling objects are scattered around, so it is fun to look around. Soft lighting and rattan accessories add a warm, cozy feel, and convenience items like aprons were neatly set out on one side.

Hangang-style ramyeon corner for the receipt review event

On one side there is a Hangang ramyeon corner, which you can use through the Naver receipt review event. A variety of instant noodles such as Shin Ramyun and Yeol Ramyun were available, and there was an automatic cooker, so you get the fun of boiling your own.

The walls were covered with customers' stamp coupons, handwritten letters and drawings, which felt homey. On one side, perilla seeds, sesame seeds and perilla oil were displayed in a cute arrangement, so there was something to look at while waiting.

Jigueseo On Jjukkumi Hanam menu and prices

The signature perilla-oil jjukkumi rice pot set is ₩13,000, and the seafood pajeon (scallion pancake) is ₩15,000. Here is the full menu as I saw it.

• Perilla-oil jjukkumi rice pot set ₩13,000
• Fresh cod soup (jiri) ₩15,000, 2 or more people
• Braised monkfish (agujjim) small ₩51,000 / medium ₩61,000 / large ₩71,000
• Monkfish soup (jiri) ₩15,000, 2 or more people
• Seafood pajeon ₩15,000
• Gorgonzola pizza ₩13,000
• Takeout jjukkumi ₩10,000

You order on the tablet at your table, so there is no need to call a staff member. We ordered the perilla-oil jjukkumi set and the seafood pajeon.

Perilla-oil jjukkumi set with a jujube and sweet pumpkin rice pot

The set came as a full table with salad, naengchae (cold dressed salad), japchae (glass noodle stir-fry), kimchi, myeongnan-jeot (salted pollock roe), seaweed soup and other side dishes, plus the rice pot. It felt generous, and each side dish was clean and not heavily seasoned, so they went well with the jjukkumi.

The rice pot served with the set was impressive too. Topped with jujube and sweet pumpkin, it looked appetizing, and the grains were cooked fluffy with a subtle sweetness as you chew. After scooping out the rice, you can enjoy sungnyung (scorched rice tea), which made a satisfying finish.

How does the perilla-oil jjukkumi taste?

The star of the day, the perilla-oil jjukkumi, is memorable first for its bouncy texture. The baby octopus was plump and fun to chew, and not tough at all, so it was easy to eat.

The spicy seasoning whets the appetite but is not harshly hot, so you can enjoy it without strain. When I added a little perilla oil and mixed it in, the nutty aroma brought out the savory depth even more. The balance of spicy and nutty was really good.

Seafood pajeon with squid and baby octopus

The seafood pajeon (₩15,000) we ordered alongside was satisfying too. The golden surface was crispy while the inside stayed moist.

It was generously filled with squid and baby octopus, so every bite was rich, and the fragrance of the scallions blended in nicely. Eating it alongside the jjukkumi made the table feel even fuller.

After the meal, I finished by soothing my stomach with sungnyung. It is a good place to come with parents or for a get-together with friends.

Self-serve dessert corner and outdoor garden

There is a self-serve dessert corner for after your meal. With drip coffee and instant coffee mix as well as strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice cream, you can pick whatever you like.

When I stepped outside after eating, there was a space in the outdoor garden where you can enjoy your ice cream. Sitting at a table under a big tree and looking out at the greenery was a lovely way to relax.

Verdict: a Gogol Reservoir jjukkumi restaurant worth revisiting

To sum up, Jigueseo On Jjukkumi Hanam Main Branch satisfied me on every count: the big parking lot, the pleasant dining room, the generous spread and the tasty perilla-oil jjukkumi set. The combination of spicy-but-easy jjukkumi and nutty rice pot was especially memorable, and adding the seafood pajeon made it an even more filling meal. If you are looking for a good jjukkumi restaurant in Hanam, this is a place I would gladly go back to. I'd revisit, for sure.