Sunday lunch spicy octopus set for two at Dangsan's Cheongun Bossam

Yesterday, in the harvest season of autumn, I broke a sweat all day long at a farm along the Imjin River.

I'd spent the season carefully tending everything from a ginseng patch to sweet potato stems, green onions, pepper leaves, perilla leaves, chives, and squash, and I didn't get home until late at night harvesting it all. The effort was rewarding, but with the fatigue built up in my body, all I wanted on this Sunday was to rest at home.

But then an unexpected, welcome call came in. A senior colleague I hadn't seen in ages, who lives and runs a business in Shandong, China, had flown into Korea and suggested we grab lunch together. I couldn't turn down a get-together with a dear guest visiting from so far away, so I happily headed to Dangsan-dong for our meeting.

Where is Cheongun Bossam Dangsan Branch, and what is the room like?

The place we met at was Cheongun Bossam Dangsan Branch, close to Exit 13 of Dangsan Station. Set on the ground floor of a corner building, its floor-to-ceiling windows gave it a cool, clean look from the outside.

Walking in, the clean wood interior and bright lighting combined to create an even more pleasant dining environment.

On the wall hung a tasteful calligraphy frame alongside a neat menu board, and the tables were spaced generously — perfect for catching up on conversation we'd missed for a long while. The lunch crowd gave the place plenty of energy, but overall it felt tidy and calm.

Ordering the lunch spicy octopus set for two and the cold noodle platter

At Cheongun Bossam Dangsan Branch we ordered the lunch jjukkumi jeongsik for two, mak guksu on the side, and — essential for a happy reunion — a bottle of Jinro soju.

When the stir-fried octopus arrived shortly after, its red sauce coating and sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds stirred up my appetite the moment I saw it.

Smoky stir-fried octopus, mixed into rice at the table

Taking a bite of a big, plump piece of octopus, its chewy texture combined perfectly with the deep smoky flavor and the sweet-spicy house sauce that filled my mouth.

Piling the stir-fried octopus onto the bowl of rice along with lettuce, bean sprouts, and seaweed flakes, then mixing it all together, gave a savory flavor that was truly outstanding.

How the crisp, chilled jjaengban mak guksu tasted

The mak guksu that came alongside featured chewy buckwheat noodles topped generously with fresh cabbage, carrot, lettuce, and seaweed flakes.

Putting on the plastic gloves and mixing the sauce and vegetables thoroughly before taking a big bite, the tangy-sweet, sharp sauce and crisp vegetables cleaned my palate right up. Pairing the spicy octopus rice bowl with the mak guksu was really an excellent choice.

A bottle of Jinro soju and catching up with an old colleague

The sweat and physical fatigue from yesterday's work at the Imjin River farm seemed to wash cleanly away over warm conversation with a colleague I hadn't seen in a long time and a clear, cool glass of Jinro soju.

Tipping back a glass of soju with a spicy, savory bite of octopus, then cleansing the palate with crisp mak guksu while catching up on old stories — it was about as happy and complete as a weekend lunch could get.

If you're looking for a clean, hearty Korean lunch near Dangsan Station, or planning a meaningful get-together with people you're glad to see again, I'd strongly recommend Cheongun Bossam Dangsan Branch. Thanks to the thoughtfully prepared food and pleasant atmosphere, I got to fill my day with a satisfying, happy meal.