Samseong Jungang Station Korean restaurant, Friday squid set: Obongjip

Today I want to introduce a fantastic restaurant I recently discovered near COEX!

It's called Obongjip Samseong Branch, and the seasoning on every single dish was so spot-on that my husband and I kept gasping in amazement the entire meal. It's the perfect spot to enjoy great food in a lively atmosphere after work. Here's my honest review of the proper Korean feast we had, soaking in the Friday night energy — here we go! 💕

Where is Obongjip Samseong Branch, and what are its hours?

📍 Obongjip Samseong Branch Address: 62 Teheran-ro 81-gil, 1st floor, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (347m from Samseong Jungang Station Exit 5) Hours: Weekdays (Mon–Fri) 11:00 - 22:00 (break time 14:30 - 17:00) Weekends (Sat–Sun) 11:30 - 22:00 (break time 15:00 - 16:00)

Obongjip Samseong Branch is close to both COEX and Samseong Jungang Station, making it a great spot for a date or after an outing. We visited on a late Friday evening, and the place was buzzing with office workers enjoying good food and a drink after work! It's also clearly a popular spot for company dinners and group gatherings.

What comes in the Squid Obongjip Special?

We ordered the restaurant's signature set menu, the Squid Obongjip Special! It comes with fire-grilled squid stir-fry, bossam, and makguksu together, and the combination is honestly a work of art.

The warm seaweed soup that comes as a standard starter had me impressed from the very first spoonful — such deep flavor. Even the basic side dishes were seasoned perfectly!

How smoky is the fire-grilled squid stir-fry?

Then came the main dishes! The moment the fire-grilled squid stir-fry arrived, the smoky aroma hit us instantly. The first bite had us both going "wow!" — real, proper smoky flavor with a deliciously sweet and spicy sauce. The squid itself was thick and plump, absolutely perfect to chew on.

Adding a bowl of rice: how much do you get?

The sauce was so delicious we added an extra bowl of rice, and they filled up a huge bowl for us! We were genuinely touched by how generous the owner was. Top it with seaweed soup and squid stir-fry, drizzle a little sesame oil, mix it all up, and a bowl of rice disappears in no time.

The bossam that came alongside had zero gamey smell and was tender and soft, while the tangy-sweet makguksu had chewy, springy noodles — eating it between bites of bossam and squid stir-fry cleared the palate perfectly. Such a fantastic pairing!

Honestly, I was surprised that every single dish was equally delicious across the board. How do they get the seasoning so perfectly balanced every time... My husband and I both happened to have bad colds, so it was such a shame we couldn't enjoy a cold soju with the meal ㅠㅠ Next time we're definitely coming back once we've recovered, drinks included!

Who is Obongjip Samseong Branch best for?

• Samseong-dong office worker gatherings and dinners: With the generous special set menu and lively atmosphere, it's the ideal spot for a drink after work.
• COEX date course visitors: Highly recommended for couples looking for a proper Korean restaurant after browsing COEX Mall or the Starfield Library.
• Big-eater couples/families who love hearty Korean food: You can try bossam, stir-fry, and makguksu all at once, and the generous portions make it extra satisfying.

If you're looking for a great restaurant near COEX or in Samseong-dong, I confidently recommend Obongjip Samseong Branch, packed with smoky flavor and hearty portions. Every dish is seasoned so perfectly that it's bound to win everyone over, no matter their taste. Once my cold clears up, I'll be rushing back soon for a cold beer!