Nakji Center Euljiro Branch
낙지센타 을지로점
About
Retro spot near DDP run by an elderly couple, serving spicy stir-fried octopus on a sizzling hot plate followed by legendary fried rice.
Tucked into an alleyway near Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the DUNDUN building, Nakji Center Euljiro Branch is an unassuming, lived-in staple run by an elderly couple. Marked by a vintage exterior that signals its enduring neighborhood presence, this Jung-gu dining room draws daytime workers and after-hours groups seeking unpretentious, home-style octopus dishes. The undisputed centerpiece of the menu is the *nakji cheolpan bokkeum*, a sizzling iron-plate stir-fry loaded with thick, whole small octopuses, rice cakes, crisp vegetables, and aromatic minari. The proprietor snips the octopus directly at the table, allowing the seafood to simmer briefly in a fiery, sweet-savory sauce with customizable spice levels. While the dish cooks down quickly, patrons can snack on a rotating spread of classic side dishes—chilled bean sprout soup, stir-fried perilla-oil aged kimchi, seasoned garlic scapes, sausage slices, and pickled radish. When the pan clears, ordering the finishing fried rice is practically mandatory; the owner scrapes and folds rice directly across the seasoned griddle until it achieves a crisp, savory char. Solo diners and swift lunch-goers often gravitate toward the sizzling stone pot octopus bibimbap, where tender octopus is spooned over scorching rice and crunchy bean sprouts, or comfort-heavy noodle bowls. The *nakji kaljebi*—a hybrid of chewy knife-cut wheat noodles and rustic, hand-torn suwon suwon dough—arrives steaming in broth with a whole octopus submerged inside, accompanied by a seasoned sauce base for extra punch. Nakji Center strips away modern dining frills, delivering instead the seasoned precision of veteran hands and the warmth of a classic Seoul backstreet kitchen.
Menu
- Stir-fried Octopus on Iron Plate₩40,000
- Fried Rice₩3,000
- 낙지칼제비₩7,000
- 뚝배기비빔밥 (특)₩9,000
- 낙지비빔밥 (특)₩9,000
- 낙지된장찌개₩7,000
- Kimchi Stew₩7,000
- 낙지비빔국수₩7,000
- 낙지칼국수₩7,000
Local tips
- Order the stir-fried octopus on an iron plate and be sure to finish with fried rice.
- Spiciness levels can be customized upon request.
- Expect a vintage atmosphere with traditional sit-down comfort.
Details
- Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 10:00–22:00
- Monday
- 10:00–22:00
- Tuesday
- 10:00–22:00
- Wednesday
- 10:00–22:00
- Thursday
- 10:00–22:00
- Friday
- 10:00–22:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–22:00