소문난초량할매쭈꾸미 본점
Geumjeong seafood
A webfoot octopus specialist two minutes on foot from Exit 4 of Oncheonjang Station. The sign says Choryang Grandma, but this is the main branch in Bugok-dong, with company-run branches in Allak-dong, Deokcheon, Hadan, Yangsan and Myeongji. The room is wide with generous spacing between tables and a mix of ages, and dogs are not admitted.
The menu splits into webfoot octopus shabu-shabu and griddled octopus in sauce, with beef shabu-shabu and pork belly versions alongside. Shabu-shabu is KRW 30,000 small, KRW 45,000 medium, KRW 60,000 large, and KRW 70,000 extra large. Live octopus is used, so the gloss and thickness show, and the springy bite survives the pot.
The strength of the shabu-shabu is the sharp, clean broth built on bean sprouts, radish, mushroom and onion. Put the heads and legs in separately so the ink does not burst and cloud the stock, and cook for about two minutes to keep it tender. Two dipping sauces come out, sesame oil with salt and mayonnaise, and the mayonnaise with a perilla leaf is the one to try. The griddled version runs from mild to fiery and staff cut and stir-fry it at the table. Staff also make the closing fried rice, draining the broth first, and rice cake or ramyeon can go in. Steamed egg, roe rice, corn cheese and bean sprout soup come as standard.
There is one burner per table, so two dishes cannot run at once; the house rule is to finish one before the next goes on. Waits get long after work on weekdays and at weekends, so booking through the Catch Table app is easier. Hours are 11:30 to 02:00 daily, year-round. There is no dedicated car park, so the Oncheonjang Station public parking on the north side right outside is the option.