I know kimchi jiggae is something that's easily made at home, but when you live in Korea, why not try the different kinds of kimchi jiggae available! Especially if I'm tired, I crave for something spicy to hit the spot. I usually go to 새마을식당 (SehMaelShikDang) for their "7-minute" kimchi jiggae, but I felt like trying something different...so I searched in Naver, filtered through some of the Korean blogs, and came across this new find for me!
은주정 김치찌개 (EunJooJung Kimchi Jiggae). Hearty portion of chopped up 3-layer pork belly meat, kimchi, tofu, onions and green onions in a broth that is savoury, spicy but not too spicy and has a great flavour to it! At lunch, the kimchi jiggae is the only option on the menu (7000won). If you go after 5pm, you have to get the samgyupsal (3-layer pork bbq) along with the kimchi jiggae (10 000won). You don't even have to order - when you sit down, they will just bring it to you! You can add an order of rice if you would like.
The 삼겹살 (Samgyupsal) - 3 layered pork belly meat. Extremely popular choice of meat for Koreans. I much prefer Galbi (beef) over samgyupsal, but I'll still go for it once in a while. I love the other stuff that comes with the samgyupsal that you grill up on the big long pan!
Like the grilled garlic and onions!
Almost ready! Love the little cup they have to catch the dripping oil - you'll need it!
Don't forget to grill up some kimchi too! Grilled kimchi is the best!
Simple selection of sides dishes. Awesome that they give 간장게장 (GanJangGaeJang) - raw soy sauce marinated crab.
Cute old school glass pop bottles. Chilseng Cider and Coca-Cola.
This is one of the reasons that people like the kimchi jiggae meal here - Reason #1 - you get a variety of greens to wrap up your jiggae and meats in! People love the 쌈 option.
Reason #2 - Here, the stew is very generous with the ratio of meat to kimchi to soup! Kimchi jiggae is a classic Korean stew with a spicy soup base made with red chill pepper paste, kimchi, meat or tuna fish, tofu, onions and green onions. Delicious!
Reason #3 - The portions are very generous. You could eat a 2 person portion between 3-4 people! But I think you still have to order per person here? Maybe you can order one less but I'm not sure.
Reason #4 - The soup is very flavourful without being overly spicy or strong. The broth is delicious and apparently they are also known to not use any MSG?
Dish out some to your individual bowl and enjoy with some rice. Don't forget to wrap up the meat in some greens!
Although it was my first time here, it is a very well known place amongst Koreans. Apparently there is always a line and it's always busy! We went later on a Sunday evening, but we still had to wait! I would say try to go around 8:30-9pm as it seemed to clear out when we were almost done eating.
I would go back again - but there are also a few more dozen places to check out too! Any favourite kimchi jiggae places that you love? Let me know!
What? Savoury kimchi jiggae at lunch, samgyupsal bbq and kimchi jiggae at dinner. (No options. You don't even have to order, they will just bring it to you).
Who? Anyone who likes kimchi jiggae, especially with pork belly. Not suitable for young young kids as the grill can splatter and everything is cooked at the table. No other menu options either.
When? For lunch, 11:30am-4pm - only kimchi jiggae. For dinner, 6pm-10pm - only samgyupsal and kimchi jiggae.
Reservations? Depends. You have to call to check and ask to see if they can or not that day.
Parking? Yes and no. If you find a spot anywhere in the alley way, you can just park there. On a Sunday, almost all of the shops were closed in the evening so there were parking spots everywhere. I can see how on a weekday or during the day on a weekend may be more tricky.
Cards Accepted? Yes.
Where? 서울시 중구 주교동 148-2. 148-1 Jugyo-dong 172-1 Cheonggyecheon-ro
Call: 01-2265-2669
Directions: 을지로입구 4번출구 (Eul-jiro Ipgu, exit #4). Walk straight until you reach the chungaechun river and then turn right at that main street. Keep going straight for 2 blocks, then turn right into an alleyway. Turn right again at the first right. It can be hard to find but once you know where it is, it's really simple. I would put the address into google or daum maps and follow along!