Late lunch clear pufferfish soup at Bogi-o Boguk, Gangnam

A late lunch when I was craving pufferfish soup in Cheongdam

On days when I crave pufferfish soup, other menu items somehow do not even catch my eye. It is because I start thinking about a mild, warming bowl with pufferfish in the broth. That day, too, lunch ended up being a little late. While wondering what to eat, I thought of pufferfish soup in Cheongdam and found a place: Bogi-o Boguk (복이오복국), Cheongdam branch.

Since I generally love pufferfish soup, I did not deliberate over the menu for long. I wanted something clean and simple, so I chose clear pufferfish soup.

The feel of a pufferfish restaurant on Dosan-daero

Bogi-o Boguk, Cheongdam branch, is a restaurant specializing in pufferfish dishes on Dosan-daero. Its address is 2F, Cheongdam Deokyeong Building, 540 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. When looking for somewhere to eat in Cheongdam, the atmosphere subtly becomes important too.

The place feels tidy overall. The atmosphere suited a pufferfish meal well. Rather than feeling lavishly decorated, it is closer to being a good place for a calm meal.

This time, I arrived a little after the lunch rush. Since peak dining time had passed, the restaurant felt relatively relaxed. Sometimes this kind of timing is even better.

You can choose from the menu slowly instead of during a crowded time. On a day for a warm soup dish, it is nice to sit and take things a little more leisurely too.

Why I chose the clear tiger pufferfish soup

The menu I chose that day was clear tiger pufferfish soup. Pufferfish soup can be enjoyed in several ways, but if you like a clean broth, the clear version is a good fit. I personally like pufferfish soup, so I naturally reach for dishes like this when I see them. What I especially liked was that they use domestic wild milbok pufferfish. I tend to look at the ingredients one more time when choosing a meal out, and this point felt reassuring.

Clear pufferfish soup is a great match for times when you need a mild meal rather than something intensely seasoned. Perhaps because lunch had run late, taking the first spoonful of warm broth made the meal feel much more comforting.

The menu when looking for pufferfish soup in Cheongdam

Cheongdam has plenty of places to eat, but the choices naturally narrow when you are looking for pufferfish soup. At times like that, Bogi-o Boguk puts pufferfish dishes front and center. Along with pufferfish soup, there are various dishes such as fried pufferfish and pufferfish bulgogi (marinated grilled pufferfish).

Pufferfish soup and dishes

• Live octopus pufferfish soup ₩32,000; live abalone pufferfish soup ₩29,000
• Milbok clear soup or spicy stew ₩24,000 / special ₩29,000
• Tiger pufferfish ₩35,000 / special ₩45,000; live tiger pufferfish ₩55,000 / special ₩70,000
• Maesaengi pufferfish soup ₩17,000; bok samtang (wild live pufferfish, live abalone, and live octopus soup) ₩43,000
• Seasoned pufferfish skin ₩16,000; pufferfish karaage, large ₩35,000 / medium ₩24,000
• Extra water parsley ₩1,000; pufferfish cutlet ₩18,000

Course and specialty dishes

• Live tiger pufferfish course ₩130,000; Bogi-o course ₩100,000; wild pufferfish course ₩80,000; sashimi set ₩60,000
• Tiger pufferfish sashimi: small ₩90,000 / medium ₩130,000 / large ₩170,000
• Assorted seafood ₩70,000; boiled octopus ₩50,000; plate of boiled octopus ₩25,000; live octopus sashimi ₩35,000
• Pufferfish bulgogi ₩35,000; milbok boiled slices ₩90,000; tiger pufferfish boiled slices ₩150,000; live tiger pufferfish boiled slices ₩250,000
• Extra seafood at market price; finishing rice porridge ₩20,000

There is a range of menu options for both days when you want a simple solo meal and days when you are dining with a group.

Still, my purpose that day was clear: to have one warm bowl of the pufferfish soup I like. That is why the clear pufferfish soup caught my eye before the other dishes.

Location and hours to know before visiting

Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturday, the restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday hours are also 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The address is 2F, Cheongdam Deokyeong Building, 540 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Hours may change, so checking before you visit is more convenient.

Bogi-o Boguk Cheongdam branch Q&A

What kind of dish is clear pufferfish soup?

It is pufferfish served in a clear broth. It is a good match when you are in the mood for a mild broth.

What pufferfish is used for the clear soup?

The wild milbok clear soup uses domestic wild milbok pufferfish.

What is available besides pufferfish soup?

There are also pufferfish-based dishes including fried pufferfish and pufferfish bulgogi.

Can I visit after lunch hours?

Yes, as long as it is within the stated business hours. Still, I recommend checking the operating hours before visiting.

The day I needed a warm bowl of pufferfish soup

On a day when I was craving pufferfish soup in Cheongdam, I had clear pufferfish soup at Bogi-o Boguk. Since it was after lunch hours, I could eat at a more relaxed pace, and choosing pufferfish soup—which I already like—felt natural. Above all, I personally liked that they use domestic wild milbok pufferfish.