Hwang Jae-beol in Yangjae: Spicy Octopus & Hagfish

2019-12-13 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

My friend lives in Yangjae and usually hangs around Gangnam and Seocho, so I visit the area often. It's a neighborhood where it's surprisingly hard to think of a go-to restaurant, but there's one place I've been to a few times recently that never disappoints. It's called Hwang Jae-beol, located a short walk from Yangjae Station Exit 1. I guess the owner's last name must be Hwang.

Restaurant exterior with a red sign reading Hwangjaebeol Charcoal-grilled Kkomjangeo (hagfish), Jjukkumi (webfoot octopus), and Dakbal (chicken feet)

Menu and price list on the wall for dishes like kkomjangeo, jjukkumi, and dakbal — The main dishes here are *kkomjangeo* (hagfish) and *jjukkumi* (webfoot octopus). Both are good, but their marinade is delicious, so I highly recommend getting the marinated versions. I also recommend ordering the *gyeranjjim* (steamed egg) and *jumeokbap* (rice balls).

Gyeran-jjim (steamed egg) puffed up in an earthenware pot and sprinkled with seaweed flakes — If you're worried the octopus might be too spicy, just ask them to use less marinade at first. It also helps to take a bite of steamed egg with every piece of octopus you eat.

Tongs placing seasoned jjukkumi (webfoot octopus) onto a wire grill — They usually pour all the marinade over it, but since I can't handle spicy food very well, I asked them to make it less spicy.

Seasoned jjukkumi grilling with garlic on a wire grill

Table set with seasoned jjukkumi cooking on a grill, gyeran-jjim (steamed egg), and jumeokbap (rice balls) — This entire table spread costs 45,000 KRW. If you add drinks, expect to spend about 50,000 KRW for two people.

A piece of well-grilled seasoned jjukkumi held by chopsticks

The sauce is quite spicy by default, making it a great spot for people who love fiery flavors. But even if you have a low spice tolerance like me, you can still enjoy it by adjusting the amount of sauce they brush on. My coworkers often go to a hagfish place near Gangnam Station, but I personally prefer this spot. Maybe it's because the sauce has more of a kick, but it really makes you want to grab a drink. And since it's a bit spicy, you naturally end up eating the steamed egg, which is wonderfully soft and not dry at all.

The restaurant isn't very spacious, but I think it's a great place for small team dinners. However, since it's a popular spot, the wait time is definitely a concern. If you catch them at the wrong time, you'll be waiting forever. So, if you're planning to visit during peak weekday hours when all the office workers flock in, calling ahead to check is an absolute must.

Restaurant interior featuring a red sign that reads kkomjangeo, jjukkumi, and dakbal

#YangjaeRestaurants #YangjaeHoesik #YangjaeJjukkumi #YangjaeHagfish #YangjaeSoju