Daejeon octopus stir-fry for two near Sungsimdang: Chongil Nakji

Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch is a Korean restaurant in Tanbang-dong, Daejeon, where the smoky octopus stir-fry tastes even better once you mix it all together.

I was craving octopus, so my husband and I went to Chongil Nakji, a place known both as a restaurant near Daejeon Lotte Department Store and near Sungsimdang bakery haha. Let me write honestly about what we actually experienced :)

Where is Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch? Hours and parking

Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch is located at 23-19 Gyeryong-ro 571beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Unit 105, about 282m from Tanbang Station Exit 5. It's open 11:00–21:00, with a break from 15:00–17:00, last order at 20:30, and closed every Sunday.

• 📍 23-19 Gyeryong-ro 571beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea, Unit 105
• 🚉 282m from Tanbang Station Exit 5
• ⏰ 11:00–21:00 / break 15:00–17:00 / last order 20:30
• Closed every Sunday
• 🅿️ 1 hour free parking at building lot

What are the interior and seating like at Chongil Nakji?

Inside, Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch had about 8 tables spaced well apart, so we could sit comfortably. We didn't have to worry about the next table over, which felt pretty relaxed for a restaurant near Daejeon Lotte Department Store.

Chongil Nakji menu and how the entrance kiosk works

The Chongil Nakji menu had various combinations beyond just octopus stir-fry — pork, beef, and scallop options too. True to a restaurant near Daejeon Lotte Department Store, the octopus dishes were quite finely categorized.

I also spotted menus like the Chongil Assorted Special, an octopus and squid soup (yeonpo-tang) set, and a soy sauce pork belly meal set, which made me want to come back and try more.

You could order directly at the kiosk near the entrance.

If you participate in the Naver receipt review event, you get a free tasting portion of bulgogi worth ₩8,000. It'd be a shame not to take part haha.

What we ordered: Special Octopus Stir-fry, small (for 2), and the spice level

We ordered the Special Octopus Stir-fry, small (for 2), at ₩35,000. It's Chongil Nakji's signature dish combining octopus, scallop, and beef.

The sizes were divided into small (for 2, includes 2 bowls of rice) and medium (for 3, includes 3 bowls of rice). Spice level had 3 options: mild, medium, and spicy. Mild had almost no heat, medium was about as spicy as Shin Ramyun, and spicy was about like Buldak Bokkeum Myeon. We chose medium, and it was about Shin Ramyun level of spicy. If you're sensitive to spice, I'd recommend going mild.

The 7 side dishes served at Chongil Nakji

Once we sat down, the basic side dishes came out first — lettuce wraps, soy-braised bulgogi, rice, cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew), radish salad, bean sprouts, and pickled onions. The side dish lineup was quite generous.

How does the Special Octopus Stir-fry taste?

Soon the Special Octopus Stir-fry arrived, topped with thin wheat noodles (somyeon), and the red stir-fry looked delicious. A smoky wok-fired aroma hit right away, and the octopus was plump with a satisfying chewy texture.

The scallops added savory depth, and the beef was well seasoned, getting nuttier the more you chewed. The octopus, scallop, and beef complemented each other really well — it was a much heartier spread than octopus stir-fry alone would've been!

Mixing the octopus stir-fry with somyeon noodles and rice

Mixing the noodles into the sauce made for a perfectly seasoned bite, and wrapping it in lettuce was great too.

Mixing rice with the octopus stir-fry and the seasoned vegetable side dishes made it even better haha. I really want to recommend mixing everything together. This was more than enough to earn its spot as a restaurant near Daejeon Lotte Department Store.

Chongil Nakji in 3 lines

• ✔️ A restaurant near Daejeon Lotte Department Store where you can enjoy an octopus, scallop, and beef combo: Chongil Nakji
• ✔️ Special Octopus Stir-fry, small (for 2), ₩35,000, with generous side dishes
• ✔️ Also great as a restaurant near Sungsimdang bakery — mixing it all together is highly recommended

Frequently asked questions

Which spice level and size should you choose?

Spice level comes in 3 options: mild (no heat), medium (Shin Ramyun level), and spicy (Buldak Bokkeum Myeon level). Size is divided into small (for 2, 2 bowls of rice) and medium (for 3, 3 bowls of rice).

Is there a Naver receipt event at Chongil Nakji?

Yes, participating gets you a free tasting portion of bulgogi worth ₩8,000.

How does parking work at Chongil Nakji?

You get 1 hour free parking at the building's parking lot. Parking is relatively convenient for a restaurant near Daejeon Lotte Department Store.

Final verdict on Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch

If you're looking for good food in Tanbang-dong, I'd recommend the Special Octopus Stir-fry at Chongil Nakji. The octopus, scallop, and beef combo was so satisfying that it held up well as a restaurant near Daejeon Lotte Department Store. It's close to Sungsimdang bakery too, so it's a nice stop after picking up bread haha. If you're looking for a good octopus stir-fry restaurant in Daejeon, I'd recommend Chongil Nakji. Hope this helps anyone visiting Daejeon next :)