Pado SikdangThe Jumunjin Bokjiri That Comes to Mind When It Turns Cold

Why bokjiri instead of cod soup

Most people here seem to order the cod soup. But I figure Seoul already has plenty of decent cod soup spots, so I don't feel the need to come all the way to Jumunjin for it. Instead, I come here when I'm craving bokjiri — something comparatively harder to find back in Seoul.

I had bokjiri and grilled fish

This time I ordered bokjiri and grilled fish. Bokjiri is a clear, light pufferfish soup — not spicy, with a refreshing broth. I paired it with the grilled fish on the side.

What it looks like

The bokjiri is at a rolling boil in the pot. Through the pale froth you can see pieces of white-fleshed fish, other white ingredients and thick-cut green onion, with a ladle resting in the pot. The broth is on the clear side, with no chili stirred in.

What is bokjiri?

• Bokeo is pufferfish. It is poisonous, so in Korea it must be prepared by someone with a pufferfish-handling qualification
• Jiri is a clear fish soup made without chili powder, and bokjiri is jiri made with pufferfish
• It is not spicy and tastes clean and refreshing, so it works for people who find spicy food hard

Most of the menu is good, and it feels home-cooked

Most of what's on the menu tastes good. It's not an elaborate spread, but there's something about it that feels like a meal made at home. The side dishes are simple and well put together, and it's an easy, comfortable meal overall.

A place to return to when it gets colder

With the weather turning colder, I'm planning to come back once it drops further. A clear, warm broth like bokjiri pairs especially well with cold weather.

For foreign visitors

• Bokjiri is pufferfish simmered in a clear broth. It's mild and not spicy, so it's an easy dish to try
• The grilled fish comes whole, grilled and served with a dipping sauce
• Pufferfish requires careful, licensed preparation to be safe to eat

Who this is for

• ✅ Anyone who likes bokjiri — a clear, refreshing broth
• ✅ People looking for something harder to find back home than cod soup
• ✅ Anyone who wants a home-cooked-feeling meal without needing it to be elaborate
• ✅ Anyone wanting to warm up as the weather turns cold
• ⚠️ Closed every Monday, so check the day before you go
• ⚠️ There's a break time (2:00–5:00 PM), so plan your visit around it