COEX mall Korean restaurant with octopus bibimbap: Obongjip Samseong

On weekends or weekdays, after a trip to COEX or a stop at Hyundai Department Store Trade Center branch, don't you sometimes want to take your parents out for a hearty Korean meal everyone can agree on? I visited 'Obongjip Samseong Branch,' a Samseong Station/COEX restaurant known for its smoky fire-grilled octopus stir-fry, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly bossam (steamed pork wraps), and sweet-and-tangy buckwheat noodles, all piled onto one huge silver tray!

Let me walk you through the umami-packed dried shrimp seaweed soup and unlimited-refill self-serve bar, plus a vivid review of the signature 'Obong Special,' hearty enough for 3–4 people!

Where is Obongjip Samseong Branch, and where do you park?

Obongjip Samseong Branch sits on the food culture street near COEX's south gate, making it a convenient stop before or after shopping. It's about a 13-minute walk from Samseong Station (Trade Center exit, Line 2), and about 5 minutes from Samseong Jungang Station (Line 9).

🚗 Parking note — there's no dedicated lot at the restaurant. If you're driving, it's convenient to use a nearby paid lot such as the 'Samseong-dong First Parking Tower.'

Inside Obongjip Samseong Branch: hall seats and the group room

The main hall at Obongjip Samseong Branch seats up to 75, and there are well-equipped group rooms that comfortably fit up to 15. Walking in, you're greeted by a cozy, retro-style interior that feels like visiting your grandparents' countryside home.

Fitting for a restaurant right in the heart of Samseong-dong, the interior is much roomier and more comfortable than expected! It's great for office workers' lunch gatherings or dinner get-togethers, and just as good for a relaxed weekend family meal with your parents.

Silver-tray side dishes and unlimited dried shrimp seaweed soup

At Obongjip Samseong Branch, you can refill rice, basic side dishes, and soup as many times as you like from the self-serve bar. Once you order, a big round silver tray (called 'obong') arrives loaded with colorful side dishes.

Sausage, bean sprouts, white kimchi, garlic, and ssamjang (seasoned soybean paste) are all neatly arranged to pair with the main dishes!

The 'dried shrimp seaweed soup' in particular is genuinely delicious. Simmered long and slow with plenty of dried shrimp, the first spoonful already delivers deep umami and a clean, refreshing finish.

But don't go overboard scooping rice and soup just because the soup and side dishes taste so good, hahaha! The main dishes coming up are seriously massive and delicious, so save some stomach space.

What comes in the ₩62,000 Obong Special set for 3–4 people

The Obong Special (₩62,000) is Obongjip's signature, all-in-one set. Fire-grilled octopus stir-fry + gopchang-cut pork belly bossam + buckwheat noodles all come together at once — a solid three-dish combo with more than enough for 3–4 people to share.

Gabrisal pork neck bossam that melts in your mouth

Unlike regular bossam usually made with pork belly, Obongjip boils its bossam using a special pork cut called 'gopchang-sal' — the meat is juicy between every fiber and melts away with zero gamey smell.

Wrap it up with the crisp, sweet-and-spicy bossam kimchi and dried radish strips that come alongside, and you'll find yourself unable to stop.

Smoky, springy fire-grilled octopus stir-fry

This dish uses fresh, plump whole octopus — nicknamed the 'wild ginseng of the sea' — quickly stir-fried over intense flame!

The moment it hits the table, that deep smoky aroma wafts up~ Cut it into bite-sized pieces with the scissors and take a bite: chewy and springy! The spice level was moderate, not overwhelming, so even my parents, who can't handle spicy food well, enjoyed it.

Octopus bibimbap made with rice from the self-serve bar

Scoop warm rice from the self-serve bar into a bowl, add the crisp bean sprouts and seaweed flakes from the side dishes, and drizzle a swirl of nutty sesame oil. Then pile on plenty of the smoky octopus stir-fry sauce and octopus and mix it all together... and no matter how full you are, this irresistible octopus bibimbap will get you to finish the whole bowl.

Sweet-and-tangy cold buckwheat noodles on a tray

Sweet-and-tangy buckwheat noodles piled high with toppings like cabbage, egg strips, and seaweed flakes!

Put on the provided gloves, mix it up, and wrap a bite around a tender piece of bossam — it cuts through the richness perfectly and hits the peak of umami.

Is Obongjip Samseong Branch worth it? Overall verdict

From the neat and generous silver-tray spread to the refreshing dried shrimp seaweed soup, the smoky fire-grilled octopus, the tender pork belly bossam, and the sweet-tangy buckwheat noodles — every single dish at Obongjip Samseong Branch delivered without a single letdown!

With unlimited refills on rice and side dishes and plenty of space, I'd recommend this place if you're looking for a solid family meal near COEX or a reliable spot for a work dinner.

💡 Who should book Obongjip Samseong Branch?

• Anyone looking for a hearty Korean restaurant near COEX / Samseong Station / Hyundai Department Store Trade Center branch
• Anyone who wants to enjoy a crowd-pleasing combo of fire-grilled octopus + bossam + buckwheat noodles in one sitting
• Anyone who wants to fill up happily with dried shrimp seaweed soup, rice, and unlimited-refill side dishes
• Anyone looking for a comfortable spot for family gatherings or work dinners, with rooms and large group seating available