Keunjib Octopus Restaurant near Jeongja (Bundang Branch)

Korean barbecue is great and all, and definitely one of the most popular dishes of all time among foreigners and locals alike. But sometimes, you know, you might have that incredible yearning for something a bit... a bit healthier, not so meaty and heavy, a bit different from what everyone else is after. And what many might not realize is that Korean food is extremely diverse - I would say even I, as a Korean, don't know the names of all the Korean cuisines that are available today.

Our seafood game is also pretty strong. Which should make sense, because we're a tiny peninsula, meaning we're surrounded by water, and subsequently fish! Another pretty famous Korean dish you probably have heard of would be live octopus, which is exactly what it sounds like: octopus, eaten while it's still alive and frantically wriggling for life. Other than that, we have an abundant supply of fresh seafood, available in various famous and humongous fish markets across the country - this is also a must-visit location if you are a tourist!

Today I'm going to write about an octopus restaurant I visited last night, a 5-minute drive from our Bundang branch. It's not easily accessible by public transport, but you can take a taxi from the Jeongja area and the fare will not be that much. For those of you who aren't used to seafood, just wait and read through this before you judge!

The name of the restaurant, KeunJib, literally means "big house" which is what this place was exactly. It was extremely spacious and wide - and I should tell you in advance that all the seats are on the floor (chairs are nowhere to be seen). True Korean style!

Take a peek at the menu, if you can read Korean:

As you can see, the place has a variety of different things to try. If you don't know what to choose, or can't really tell the difference, you can just try the "Special Course" for 18,000 KRW, which brings you a little bit of everything. This is what we ordered. But this menu has to be for at least 4 people, so keep that in mind!

The course starts off with some appetizers - salad and some acorn jelly (healthy Korean dish that sort of feels like pudding but isn't sweet).

Octopus and vegetables seasoned in a spicy, tangy, vinegary sauce

I know the dressing is all purple and weird, but it's actually really good, and tastes like an assortment of nuts (mostly almond/peanuts)

Fried shrimp, ordered separately

Mung bean pancake

One of the highlights of the course is this soup, called yeonpotang. Basically octopus soup. In a clear broth with other shellfish included, a fresh, live octopus is dropped into the pot and cooked. Then a bunch of vegetables are added, and after a few minutes of boiling it is ready to eat.

I don't know how to describe this soup, particularly the broth. It's not savory - it's not like clam chowder or chicken soup or anything like that. It's very clear, and when you ladle a spoonful into your mouth you feel very refreshed. I've heard before that clear seafood broth is good for digestion as well, and I would so believe it. It's not the hearty kind of soup, but it makes you feel very pleasant and not uncomfortably full. My description hasn't done it much justice; you need to try it yourself.

What are these next three dishes, you ask? This is I suppose the other 'main course' of the meal. Spicy octopus, barbecued Korean-style, with assorted vegetables and rice. The octopus barbecue is the highlight, here - it's spicy, savory, smoky, chewy, soft, and very delicious. It's not meant to be eaten all separately, though. Can you guess how you're supposed to eat it?

......

......

Bibimbap, of course! The true Korean way. The photo looks rather messy, but I promise you it's the way to do it. Add a proportionate amount of veggies and octopus, and mix it all up with your spoon. It's a bit spicy, which is why bean sprout soup is provided as well.

So there you have it. A relatively healthy, not meaty (and good for vegetarians and Muslims), yet distinctively Korean meal, that includes pretty much most ways you can cook anything: raw, boiled, grilled, mixed, fried...

Definitely check this place out if you are in the area!

Phone number: +82-2-588-7525
Email: renewmeview@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rnmeskin
Line: skin0075
Kakao Talk: renewmeskin
​WeChat: ​rnmeskin
WhatsApp: +82-10-9204-0075