Jeongwang-dong Korean restaurant with seafood pancake: Jeongjeong-a

I had an appointment near Jeongwang-dong recently and was craving something spicy and Korean, so I stopped by Jeongjeong-a Sikdang.

This brand is already well known for its dakbokkeumtang and cockle dishes, so I went in with expectations. The space is big and the menu lineup is hearty, so it looked like a solid pick for a lunch or dinner gathering in Jeongwang-dong — here's my honest review.

Inside Jeongjeong-a Sikdang: pickup table at the entrance and the dining room

The first thing I noticed walking into Jeongjeong-a Sikdang Jeongwang Branch was the 'takeout/delivery pickup table' set up near the entrance.

It was arranged so delivery riders and takeout customers could grab their orders easily, and there was even a pretty flower pot sitting next to the pickup spot. It seems like a small thing, but I could feel the owner's thoughtfulness toward the delivery riders, and it warmed my heart right from the entrance.

The interior was much roomier than I expected, with tables spaced generously. Everything was clean and well kept, so I could eat comfortably.

Overall the store was kept neat and tidy, making for a comfortable dining atmosphere. With plenty of seating, it seemed like a good fit for lunch as well as dinner gatherings or company dinners.

How is the dakbokkeumtang, simmered on a tabletop burner?

This time we ordered dakbokkeumtang as the main, along with haemul pajeon, chilled muchae, and a fried rice finish. The main dakbokkeumtang arrived set on a burner on the table.

You turn on the burner and let it simmer while you eat, keeping it warm the whole time. As a dish known as a Jeongwang-dong favorite, the broth looked spicy red from the start.

The broth wasn't too heavy — big scallions and the seasoning came together for a spicy, clean flavor. The chicken pieces were a good size, tender, and free of any gamey smell, so they soaked up the sauce nicely. Mashing the fluffy potatoes into the reduced broth and eating them together made for seasoning that was just right as a side to rice. It's an easy-to-like dakbokkeumtang, a real Jeongwang-dong favorite.

Seafood pancake and cold muchae: are the side dishes worth adding?

While the dakbokkeumtang simmered, I tried the haemul pajeon that came out with it. The large plate was filled with pancake, crispy outside and golden and moist inside.

There was plenty of squid and other seafood along with vegetables, giving it a nutty, satisfying texture. The spicy broth from the dakbokkeumtang cut right through the pancake's richness, and the pairing of the two dishes was better than I expected. With enough squid and vegetables mixed in, the texture was great, and eating it alongside the spicy stew broth balanced out the oiliness nicely — a good combination.

The muchae came with a broth topped with slushy ice, so eating it in between bites as a palate cleanser was refreshing and left my mouth feeling clean. The springy jelly was topped with seaweed flakes and sesame seeds, which kept things light and refreshing. It was an easy side to pair with the spicy main dish.

Why you should add the fried rice at the end

After eating a good portion of the chicken and other ingredients, we added fried rice. Once we'd picked through most of the chicken and other ingredients, we added fried rice to wrap up the meal. Using the reduced, leftover dakbokkeumtang sauce as a base, they stir-fried nutty rice with seaweed flakes and sesame right on the burner.

Eating it while letting a bit of nurungji (crispy rice crust) form on low heat, the savory depth and nuttiness of the dakbokkeumtang seasoning filled my mouth. No matter how full you are, I really recommend adding this.

Overall, none of the dishes were overly seasoned or harsh — everything was just right, so I finished the meal feeling comfortable and full. Thanks to the spacious, pleasant space and the friendly service, it was a good visit overall. If you're craving a deep, spicy Jeongwang-dong favorite dakbokkeumtang or a hearty Korean spread, Jeongjeong-a Sikdang is worth a visit!