Seocho Korean restaurant: level-3 squid with seaweed flakes, Bapjangin

In the basement of Seoul Express Bus Terminal, where the foot traffic is seriously heavy and there are restaurants everywhere, sometimes you think, "Ah, today I really want a hearty, spicy, proper home-style meal." When that happens, my feet carry me to this magical spot without hesitation. Let me start my review of Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch (밥장인 고속터미널점)!!!!

Where is Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch?

Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch is at 194 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, in Seoul Express Bus Terminal, B1, No. 20, near Exit 1 of Express Bus Terminal Station. The station has so many exits, so confusing, right?? But Bapjangin is near Exit 1, so it's really easy to find!!!! Get off the subway, walk a little way into the terminal's underground shopping area and you'll see it right away. The accessibility is perfect, haha

The inside of Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch is clean, and tables turn over quickly, so you can enjoy your meal happily even at busy times!!!! You can feel the Express Bus Terminal Station hotspot vibe from the savory smoky grill aroma drifting out at the entrance, haha

Bapjangin spice levels: how hot is level 3?

At Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch you can pick a spice level from 1 to 5, so there's real fun in adjusting the heat to challenge your spice pride!! I almost forgot to take photos, but I pulled myself together and looked at the menu!! The big plus of Bapjangin is that you can set the spice to suit your own taste, haha. It's split into levels 1 to 5, so everyone from spice wimps to spice masters can be satisfied!!!!

After some deliberation we went for level 3!! Having tried it, I'd say Bapjangin's level 3 is a bit spicier than Shin Ramyun, haha. It isn't too harsh, but it's the kind of heat that gives you a pleasant little sweat, so if you can handle some spice, I strongly recommend level 3!!!!

How to eat squid stir-fry with seasoned seaweed flakes

The key to the squid stir-fry at Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch is to pile the seaweed flakes (gimjaban) from the table onto your rice and mix them together. This mixed combo is exactly why I strongly recommend Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch. The moment the food arrives, you can't help saying "wow"

Hahaha, squid stir-fry and seaweed flakes: this is truly a life-changing combination!! The squid was much plumper and chewier than I expected, and the sauce was soaked in deeply, which surprised me. Above all, I piled the seaweed flakes from the table onto my rice, stirred in the level 3 squid stir-fry, and the savory depth was honestly insane, haha

One bite of Bapjangin's squid stir-fry and you immediately know why it's a Express Bus Terminal favorite!! The level 3 sauce, a bit spicier than Shin Ramyun, has a faint smoky grill flavor, and the nutty, salty seaweed flakes neutralize the heat just right. I'm so happy, haha. Having gochujang stew and kimchi stew in between soothes your stomach and lets you start eating all over again, haha!!!!

What are Bapjangin's gochujang stew and kimchi stew like?

The deep flavor of the level 3 gochujang stew and kimchi stew!!

Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch's stew lineup is just as good as its stir-fries!!!! The gochujang stew has a rich, hearty broth, and eating the soft tofu (sundubu) and other ingredients in it together with rice, I honestly think, as a Korean, there's no meal as lovable as this. That's my opinion, anyway.

The kimchi stew is refreshing and sharp, the kind of taste that makes two bowls of rice vanish easily, haha. But maybe because my girlfriend set the spice level high, it was too spicy for me T_T Why are women so good at eating spicy food, haha

Finishing with rice mixed in the leftover sauce

The sauce at Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch is unusually good, so the synergy when you mix it with rice is huge!! I liked how the tender squid and crunchy vegetables came together in my mouth. In the end I finally scraped the mixing bowl clean down to the bottom. Bapjangin is a place where I always want to finish with a hearty bibimbap, haha

Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch: verdict and tips

Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch is a place I'd want to visit again, and I recommend it for the honey combo of spicy squid stir-fry and seaweed flakes!!! When you're looking for a proper Korean hangout near Gotomall ("Gotto"), bookmark it as your keep-it-to-myself Express Bus Terminal Station spot!!

• Place: Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch (near Exit 1 of Express Bus Terminal Station, B1 of Seoul Express Bus Terminal)
• Features: spice adjustable from level 1 to 5, and level 3 is a bit spicier than Shin Ramyun!!
• Recommended dishes: squid stir-fry, gochujang stew, kimchi stew (mixing in the seaweed flakes is a must)