Guest Author: KungPyo Rhee
If you have had enough of fried or greasy chicken, Bong Chu Steamed Chicken(봉추찜닭), located near Hong Dae, provides you a new and healthy experience. Unlike other traditional Korean restaurants, Bong Chu Jjim Dak facinated me with its modern interior décor. The restaurant was crowded but not disturbingly so.
While the Jjim Dak was being prepared, servers offered us bowls of light Kimchi soup (Dong chi mi – 동치미). Dong chi mi not only stimulates your appetite, but it also soothes the strong taste of the Bong Chu Jjim Dak. It is complimentary, so you can ask for extra if you wish.
The restaurant provides you options on how you want to design your dish. The type of noodles (thin noodle, wide noodle, or combination of both noodles) and how much chicken you want (half a chicken, a whole chicken, or a chicken and a half) are your choice. In our party were 3 adults. We ordered a chicken with thin and wide Chinese noodles (22,000 KRW). The menu recommended the medium size dish (one chicken) that fits three or four people.
If you are nearly finished with your dish and do not feel full enough, you can ask for over-cooked rice (Nurungji – 누룽지) which mixes with your leftovers. A few minutes later, the server will bring a helping of sizzling nurungji on a pan. Once the server puts the nurungji over the remaining food, mix them and you are ready to enjoy a second round.
Mildly pepperly and sweet, palatable Bong Chu Jjim Dak is appropriate for all ages. While you entertain your taste buds with this great dish, Bong Chu’s atmosphere and service are reminiscent of old Korea. Experience it!
The Good
- Chicken and noodle choices
- Korean fusion atmosphere
- Good service
- Swift serving of food
The Bad
- Crowded during lunch and dinner time
- Need a reservation for 8 or more people
- Limited capacity
Contact Number
02-323-9381
Address
서울시 마포구 서교동 361-9 1층
Website
http://www.bongchu.co.kr
Directions
If you are standing in front of HongIk Univeristy, go right until you see a Starbucks Coffee on your left. Take the small street on your left. You will follow the street and immediate make a right. Keep following the street. After a while you will veer right again and shortly after you will see Bong Chu Steamed Chicken on your right.
Map
View Bong Chu Steamed Chicken (봉추찜닭) @ Hongdae in a larger map
Editor: Mike Porto
