Spicy octopus and flying fish roe fried rice in Yongsan: Jjigaen

Spicy octopus is that perfect dish — fiery but with deep savory flavor, and so good with rice. This time I visited Jjigaen Jjukkumi Hyochang Park branch near Yongmun Market in Yongsan. It's already a well-known local spot, and I heard it's even appeared on TV, so my expectations were high. I went with a friend for dinner, and the relaxed, home-cooking-like vibe made the whole meal satisfying.

Where is Jjigaen Jjukkumi Yongmun Market Branch, and what are its hours?

Jjigaen Jjukkumi Yongmun Market Branch is located at 60 Wonhyoro 41-gil, 1st floor, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. It's about a 5-minute walk from Hyochang Park Station Exit 3, a 10-minute walk from Yongsan Station Exit 3, and a 15-minute walk from Sinyongsan Station Exit 5.

• Address: 60 Wonhyoro 41-gil, 1st floor, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Directions: 5-minute walk from Hyochang Park Station Exit 3 / 10-minute walk from Yongsan Station Exit 3 / 15-minute walk from Sinyongsan Station Exit 5
• Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:30), Sat–Sun 12:00–21:00 (last order 20:30), closed during Chuseok holiday (Sept 24–26)
• Other info: Reservations available, group-friendly, takeout and delivery, Wi-Fi, separate men's/women's restrooms, mobile payment supported
• Parking: Brief roadside parking in front only, no dedicated lot

Walking from Hyochang Park Station to the restaurant

Walking out of Hyochang Park Station and down the alley, you can feel the lively energy of the market. Old restaurants and cafés mix together along the way, making it fun just to look around. The Jjigaen Jjukkumi Yongmun Market Branch storefront stood out with its clean signage, and it blended nicely with the warm, familiar atmosphere of the market, making it easy to just walk in.

Inside Jjigaen Jjukkumi: is solo dining an option?

Inside, Jjigaen Jjukkumi Yongmun Market Branch is cozy but clean. The tables are spaced just right, so solo dining doesn't feel awkward, and there were plenty of families and coworker groups too. Photos from the restaurant's TV appearance and the menu board on the wall gave a sense of trust, and the staff were friendly and welcoming, which made the meal even more pleasant.

Jjigaen Jjukkumi menu prices and what we ordered

The signature dish here is octopus. Options range from the basic jjukkumi at ₩14,000, to cheese jjukkumi at ₩16,000, up to jjukkumi samgyeopsal (octopus with pork belly) at ₩16,000.

• Jjukkumi samgyeopsal: ₩16,000
• Jjukkumi (basic): ₩14,000
• Cheese jjukkumi: ₩16,000
• Jjuu samgyeopsal: ₩18,000
• Spicy braised galbi: ₩15,000
• Fried rice: ₩3,000
• Flying fish roe rice ball: ₩4,000
• Cheese fried rice: ₩4,000
• Kimchi jjigae (2–3 people): ₩20,000
• Duruchigi (stir-fried pork): ₩30,000
• Spicy chicken stew: ₩30,000
• Dak-hanmari (whole chicken): ₩30,000
• Dried pollack skewers: ₩15,000
• Woo samgyeop (beef belly): ₩10,000
• Egg roll: ₩10,000
• Pork belly: ₩6,000
• Shrimp (7 pieces): ₩7,000
• Steamed egg: ₩5,000
• Korean-style braised pork ribs: ₩10,000

That day we ordered two servings of jjukkumi samgyeopsal, one egg roll, and two bowls of flying fish roe fried rice.

How the spicy octopus, egg roll and flying fish roe fried rice tasted

Jjukkumi samgyeopsal (spicy octopus with pork belly)

The jjukkumi samgyeopsal arrived first. The spicy sauce soaked nicely into the octopus, and eating it with the pork belly added a rich, savory note that made it truly delicious. The octopus felt freshly prepared, and the sauce wasn't harsh but carried a deep, satisfying flavor.

Egg roll, 10,000 won

The egg roll was soft and moist. Vegetables mixed inside gave it a nice bite, and eating it alongside the spicy octopus helped balance out the heat.

Flying fish roe fried rice, two bowls

The flying fish roe fried rice was a must-order. Rice gets stir-fried right into the leftover octopus sauce, and the fish roe pops with a fun texture as you eat. The combination of spicy sauce and savory roe was excellent. Even though we ordered two bowls, we finished them off in no time.

Overall, the food wasn't harsh or overpowering — it had that comforting, home-cooked feel. It was spicy but easy to keep eating, and the combination of pork belly and octopus was especially satisfying.

Is Jjigaen Jjukkumi worth a trip to Yongmun Market?

There's a reason Jjigaen Jjukkumi Yongmun Market Branch is well known in the neighborhood. Thanks to fresh octopus and house-made sauce, the flavor was spicy yet full of umami, and it paired perfectly with rice. It's a place that works well whether you're dining solo, with family, or at a work dinner — I'd recommend it. Prices are reasonable, and the menu is varied enough that repeat visits wouldn't get old. Next time, I definitely want to try the spicy braised galbi.