Bbongjok | Seolleung’s Favorite Spicy Jokbal
Ever had one of those after-work days when you craved something rich and filling? When grilling pork belly felt like too much work and fried chicken didn’t quite hit the spot, chewy jokbal always came to mind for me. I was also craving something spicy.
So this time, I visited 뽕나무쟁이 (a famous jokbal restaurant known as Bbongjok) near Seolleung Station. My girlfriend, who’d worked around Seolleung Station for six years, said it was her absolute favorite restaurant. I’d heard plenty about it but had never stopped by before, and after trying it myself, I could see why it was so popular.
🏢 Stepping into a Bold Exterior With a Main Building and Annex
In front of the Bbongjok annex.
As soon as I turned into the alley, a bright red sign grabbed my attention from far away. It turned out to be the annex rather than the main building. The main building sat a little farther over. Since so many people came here, they operated not only the first floor of the main building but also a large annex in the basement.
There was some parking space in front of the restaurant, but as you can see in the photo, it was already packed with cars. During peak hours, parking might be difficult, so walking from Seolleung Station or using a nearby public parking lot would probably be easier.
According to my girlfriend, weekday evenings usually came with about a 30-minute wait. Somehow, on the day we visited, there was absolutely no wait. We were immediately guided down to the basement of the main building. Some days just worked out perfectly.
📱 Dining With a Lively Crowd and a Clean Interior
Even the basement was already full of people.
Most guests seemed to be having company dinners or grabbing drinks with coworkers and friends after work.
Once we sat down, I noticed that every table had a tablet for ordering, which made everything really convenient.
Looking through the menu, the most popular option seemed to be the assorted platter that mixed original Bbongjok and seasoned jokbal half and half.
Since I was craving spice, we ordered the medium-sized seasoned jokbal and a steamed egg dish.
After ordering, a full spread of side dishes arrived that paired perfectly with the meat. The selection wasn’t dramatically different from other jokbal restaurants, but the seasoned radish and bossam kimchi stood out. If we’d ordered the regular jokbal, I think we would’ve gone through a huge amount of that kimchi. It was the kind of side dish that made you want endless refills. They say a restaurant is truly good when the kimchi is delicious, and that definitely felt true here.
🍖 Diving into Bbongjok With Glossy Spicy Jokbal and Fluffy Steamed Eggs
The deep red sauce immediately looked spicy.
Unlike many other places, the jokbal wasn’t neatly sliced. Instead, it was served in pulled-apart pieces.
I went in for a bite right away.
Compared with other jokbal spots I’d tried, this one felt softer and more tender. There was plenty of meat, but the real highlight was how soft the skin was. Since the seasoning had soaked thoroughly into the skin, the spicy flavor came through even more intensely. My girlfriend said she hadn’t even liked jokbal before trying Bbongjok, but after eating here, she became a fan. After tasting it myself, I could understand exactly what she meant.
About halfway through the meal, I couldn’t help reaching for water or the steamed eggs. Anyone who enjoyed spicy food would probably love this.
The steamed eggs rose high above the hot stone pot in a fluffy yellow mound.
After a bite of the spicy seasoned jokbal, scooping up some soft steamed egg balanced out the heat and made it easy to keep going back for more meat.
🥬 Wrapping Up With Nurungji for a Comforting Finish
We’d originally ordered only the seasoned jokbal and steamed eggs. The jokbal turned out to be spicier than I’d expected, so even though I enjoyed it, I thought my stomach might appreciate something milder. We added an order of nurungji.
It was definitely a great choice. Finishing with it helped settle the lingering heat nicely.
💡 Who Should Come Here?
1. Anyone who prefers tender, melt-in-your-mouth jokbal over drier lean meat.
2. Anyone looking for a hearty gathering spot near Seolleung Station with friends, coworkers, or acquaintances.
3. Anyone who enjoys spicy seasoned jokbal.
4. Anyone who likes eating in a spacious and energetic atmosphere.
💬 Finishing Off With Why Bbongjok Stood Out
After trying it myself, I completely understood why so many office workers gathered here. The jokbal was tender and free of any unpleasant smell, the dining space was clean, and the food was satisfying. On a day when you want to blow off some stress with great meat, the seasoned jokbal at Bbongjok is well worth checking out.
📍 Location: Near Seolleung Station
⏰ Hours: Weekdays 12:00–22:50
💰 Price: Medium seasoned jokbal 42,000 KRW, steamed eggs 4,000 KRW, nurungji 5,000 KRW
🅿️ Parking: Limited parking in front of the restaurant; public transportation is recommended
Bbongnamujaengi Seolleung Main Branch
31 Yeoksam-ro 65-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
🔗 Curious about another one of my favorite Seolleung restaurants? Check out the post below.
Seolleung Station Restaurant | Aloy Thai Pad Thai Review, Perfect for Solo Thai Food Dining
