Korean kimchi stew spot in Ansan after a Lake Park walk: Choburi

Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch (초부리김치찌개 고잔본점) is a great-value Korean restaurant in Gojan-dong, Ansan. You can eat a hearty meal at a friendly price, and it's known as a go-to spot for group dinners in Gojan-dong.

Where is Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch, and what are its hours?

Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch is at 145-7 Gwangdeok 3-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Units 111–113 (lot number: Gojan-dong 705-3). It's open daily 11:00–21:00, with a break from 15:30 to 17:00 and last dinner orders at 20:30.

• 7-minute walk from Gojan Station Exit 2
• 10-minute walk from Jungang Station Exit 2
• Near the McDonald's Ansan Gojan branch
• Groups welcome, Wi-Fi, separate men's and women's restrooms
• High chairs available, takeout, delivery and reservations possible, local currency accepted

Here's what stood out to me. The restaurant is big, so it suits group gatherings and company dinners, and the staff were so friendly that the meal felt great. It's easy to reach without a car, and you can take food to go. Ordering by tablet means no contact with staff, which felt hygienic.

A kimchi stew restaurant in Gojan-dong after an Ansan Lake Park walk

On a holiday I walked around Ansan Lake Park and then ate at Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch in Gojan-dong. Staying home on a day off felt stuffy, so I set out on a drive around Ansan. Around Ansan Lake Park there are nice walking paths and plenty of good restaurants and cafés too. So I headed to Gojan-dong and strolled around the lake to clear my head. I decided to eat something tasty nearby and went looking for a decent place.

The place I found is a kimchi stew specialist that's become a word-of-mouth hit for group dinners near Gojan Station, and a pot rice restaurant in Ansan worth knowing: Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch. It turned out to be known as a great-value restaurant. It's a 7-minute walk from Gojan Station Exit 2 and close to Homeplus Ansan Gojan. It's also a 10-minute walk from Jungang Station, so booking takeout ahead is easy too. The lively Gojan-dong streets are close by as well, which makes it a good date spot.

Is Choburi Kimchi Jjigae good for team dinners and family meals?

The restaurant is large with roomy seating, so it suits company dinners and gatherings. That said, a wait can build up at peak times, so for a group I'd recommend checking ahead before you go.

The interior has a nice atmosphere, so it looked fine for a family meal too. And since it's easy to reach without a car, it's also a good spot for a drink or two.

How to order and tips for the self-serve bar

Every table has a tablet for ordering and making requests without contact. The rule is one menu item per person, and takeout and delivery are available.

There are various add-on noodles and extras (sari) for the stew, and extra rice was free of charge. At the self-serve bar by the counter, misugaru (a roasted grain drink) and ice cream are set out for dessert.

What comes in the ₩28,000 kimchi stew set for two?

The set for two at Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch is ₩28,000 and includes kimchi stew with pork for 2 (dwaejimibak kimchi jjigae), perilla oil fried eggs, one drink, 2 bowls of pot rice and ramyeon noodles. Extra Korean pork (hanjeon) can be added for ₩5,000.

• Kimchi stew with pork for 2
• Perilla oil fried eggs
• Cider (one drink of your choice)
• 2 bowls of pot rice
• Ramyeon noodles
• Extra Korean pork, +₩5,000

I wavered over what to try and ended up choosing the set for two. It comes with kimchi stew for 2, perilla oil fried eggs and one soft drink, and 2 bowls of pot rice too. I asked for Korean pork as my extra so I could really feast. Extra side dishes and rice are at the self-serve bar, so you help yourself.

Side dishes and self-serve bar extras

At Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch, staff help set out the first round of side dishes, and you can fetch more from the self-serve bar. There was extra rice, stir-fried fish cake, pickled peppers and more. I was happy that seaweed (gim) and soy sauce came as sides, and the crispy texture of the seaweed was superb. To avoid wasting food, I'd suggest taking a little at a time, often.

Three perilla oil fried eggs

The perilla oil fried eggs in the set for two came as 3 eggs, with the nutty aroma of perilla oil. Kimchi stew always makes me think of a fried egg, since it's one of the best Korean pairings. Eating the egg with the clean-tasting kimchi stew broth was heavenly, haha. The price is kind too, so it's easy to enjoy without worry. If you go to Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch, I recommend ordering the perilla oil fried eggs along with your kimchi stew.

Skin-on pork kimchi stew with extra fresh Korean pork

The kimchi stew at Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch was packed with meat, and I boiled the extra Korean pork I'd asked for right in with it. It's on an induction burner, so you control the heat yourself, and you should stir now and then as you eat.

The pot rice arrived at the table along with the stew, and it looked hearty and appetizing. The hot broth melted my heart, and the generous portion made me exclaim out loud. Maybe because they say they use only Korean pork, the quality of the pork was high too, and the more I ate, the more I wanted.

Broth refills and ramyeon noodles

Partway through the stew I added broth and cooked the ramyeon noodles too. You can refill broth at the self-serve bar as needed. The noodles soaked in the stew broth were superb, with a nicely chewy texture. It's a taste any Korean, young or old, man or woman, would love, and it made for a satisfying meal. Good to know: at Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch, if you order menu items to match your headcount, the ramyeon noodles are unlimited.

Gardenia pot rice, sungnyung (scorched-rice tea) and free dessert

The pot rice at Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch glowed golden from the gardenia fruit (chija) in it, and once you scoop out the rice and pour in warm water, you get sungnyung (scorched-rice tea) too. A dessert drink to have after the meal was also served free of charge.

The rice has its own nutty flavor and went really well with the kimchi stew. It was a treat with the various side dishes as well. I'd suggest scooping the rice into an empty bowl first. Pour in the warm water prepared separately, wait a while, and it becomes sungnyung.

Is Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch worth a return visit?

I was happy with Choburi Kimchi Jjigae Gojan Main Branch: the atmosphere is charming and the food quality is high. If I come to Ansan again, I'd go back without hesitation.

Above all, the staff were attentive and kind, so I could enjoy a really pleasant meal. They went out of their way to make guests comfortable, and I was grateful.