Seafood platter for 6 in Myeongseo-dong, Changwon: Dwaeji Jogae

If you live near Myeongseo-dong in Changwon, you've probably run into this before. This weekend I had a family gathering with my in-laws and couldn't figure out where to go. Big group, no easy place where everyone could eat comfortably — that kind of worry, you know?

Cutting to the chase: if you head to Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch in Myeongseo-dong, that worry disappears instantly 🙌 I've written a bunch of reviews for seafood stew places before, and honestly a lot of them feel totally different by the time you finish eating compared to your first impression. But this place stayed good from start to finish, so I'm writing this one with confidence.

This time we were invited as part of a campaign, and all 6 family members went together. I was half excited, half worried, but the result was total satisfaction haha.

Where is Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch, and how do you find it?

Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch is on the basement floor, tucked into an alley in Myeongseo-dong, Changwon. The sign with the pig character really stands out. Even though it's inside an alley, the lighting and signage make it easy to find. The name itself is so unusual you won't forget it once you see it haha.

What is the seating like for a family of 6?

The seating at Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch is divided somewhat like private rooms, and there are plenty of 6-person tables. Further inside, each table has its own separated space, and I saw several 6-person tables — probably because they get a lot of family customers. Thanks to that, we could sit comfortably without feeling crowded.

There's also a spacious hall-style seating area. It's quite large, perfect for group gatherings. The ventilation is good too, so you don't need to worry about the seafood stew smell lingering.

Which side dishes come with the meal?

The basic side dishes at Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch are seasoned bean sprouts, boiled potatoes, and geotjeori (fresh kimchi). The boiled potatoes were so fluffy I kept reaching for more. The geotjeori had just the right amount of spice, so I couldn't stop picking at it.

For 6 people: small plus medium platter, and how much seafood you get

Since there were 6 of us, we ordered both the small and medium seafood platters at Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch. It came piled high with abalone, conch, scallop, shrimp, octopus, and mussels — just looking at it made us feel full. The portion was really generous, plenty even for a family of big eaters.

All the shellfish were solid and hefty in size, so every bite felt like real value for money. The grill plate was already set up on the table, so we didn't need to move anywhere else.

How was the octopus?

The octopus was especially springy, and juices burst out with every bite. It wasn't tough at all, just tender, so everyone enjoyed it easily.

Abalone with butter and garlic

The abalone was also nicely sized — even one piece was satisfying. With a subtle butter and garlic aroma soaked in, the savory flavor was even better.

The abalone here really has different juices from the start

Do the staff trim and prep the seafood for you?

At Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch, staff prep the seafood right at your table. Seafood that's usually a hassle to handle got cut up for us right there, so we never got our hands wet. They also told us exactly when everything was perfectly cooked, so we got to eat it at its best. I really want to recommend this kind of service to fellow readers.

You can't skip a drink that pairs well with seafood, either. The adults had soju and Cass beer with it, and said the combination was perfect. For those who don't drink, zero-sugar cola was also available, so we all raised a toast together haha.

One chewy bite of clam, and you'd say you came all the way to Changwon just for this. Eating it the moment it's still steaming — that's just the rule.

Finishing with kalguksu noodles in the broth

After finishing all the seafood, we added kalguksu noodles to the leftover broth and boiled them. The seafood broth had steeped so richly that every strand of noodle was packed with savory flavor. I think I'll keep craving this finish, honestly 😋

Verdict after a visit with a family of 6

If you're stuck on where to hold a family gathering, I confidently recommend Dwaeji Jogae Changwon Main Branch in Myeongseo-dong, Changwon. All 6 of us left full and happy. Everyone had such satisfied faces, I thought — glad we came. The price point was reasonable too, which put my mind at ease 😊

Next time we have a family gathering, I think I'll go here again ㅠㅠ I already want to eat it again. If you're looking for a great seafood stew spot in Changwon, save this post and make sure to visit.