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5 Nakji-Tangtangi Spots You Need to Try Now
- A dinner starring a feisty octopus — Yaksu ‘Nokdong Bbeol Nakji’
- Fresh seafood destination — Mokpo ‘Hadang Meokguri’
- Vibrant nakji yukhoe tangtangi — Bupyeong ’30-Year-Old Yeongcheol’s Pocha’
- Fresh seafood destination — Mokpo ‘Hadang Meokguri’
- The buzzy yukhoe spot with a line — Jongno ‘Buchon Yukhoe’
Nakji-tangtangi is the ultimate showcase for truly fresh ingredients. The just-cleaned octopus still seems to move on the plate. One bite delivers that irresistible chew and a toasty, savory note you won’t find in other dishes. It’s a dish that relies on simplicity — often just sesame oil and salt — which makes freshness the star. Simple, bold, and unforgettable. Below are five places where that magic really shines.
A dinner starring a feisty octopus — Yaksu ‘Nokdong Bbeol Nakji’
This spot pairs a range of octopus dishes with fresh shellfish like conch, sea squirt, and sea cucumber. Their signature is the tangtangi: raw octopus mixed with egg yolk dressed in sesame oil, plus chopped chili, garlic, and pickled radish, all wrapped in dried seaweed for a perfect bite. The blend of textures and flavors feels almost orchestrated. Save room to finish with a steaming bowl of yeonpotang — it’s the cozy ending this meal deserves.
| See more on Siksin: ‘Nokdong Bbeol Nakji’
✔Location
159 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
✔Hours
Daily 3:00 PM–12:00 AM
✔Prices
Nakji-tangtangi 50,000 KRW (≈ $37.50 USD), Yeonpotang 50,000 KRW (≈ $37.50 USD), Live octopus 30,000 KRW (≈ $22.50 USD), Stir-fried octopus 40,000 KRW (≈ $30.00 USD)
Fresh seafood destination — Mokpo ‘Hadang Meokguri’
Mokpo is best known for its three-legged octopus, but Hadang Meokguri goes beyond that. Think abalone, scallop adductor muscles, and the popular beef samhap grill — all cooked using top-notch, fresh ingredients for a clean, non-fishy flavor. The soy-marinated crab served as a side is a delightful bonus.
| See more on Siksin: ‘Hadang Meokguri’
- ✔Location
98 Sinheng-ro, Mokpo, South Jeolla Province
- ✔Hours
Daily 11:30 AM–11:00 PM; break 3:00 PM–5:00 PM; closed Tuesdays
- ✔Menu
Nakji-tangtangi (extra large) 120,000 KRW (≈ $90.00 USD)
Nakji yukhoe tangtangi brimming with freshness — Bupyeong ’30-Year-Old Yeongcheol’s Pocha’
’30-Year-Old Yeongcheol’s Pocha’ sits on Bupyeong’s lively seafood street. This cozy indoor pocha offers everything from squid stir-fry to grilled mackerel and mussel soup. Their standout is the nakji yukhoe tangtangi — fresh live octopus tossed with raw beef tartare — and it pairs beautifully with a warm bowl of banquet noodles. Expect plenty of crowd-pleasing small plates that make great bar snacks, too.
| See more on Siksin: ’30-Year-Old Yeongcheol’s Pocha’
- ✔Location
1F, 46-1 Sijang-ro, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon
- ✔Hours
Daily 4:30 PM–5:00 AM; closed Mondays
- ✔Menu
Hanwoo yukhoe + live octopus tangtangi 30,000 KRW (≈ $22.50 USD), Grilled mackerel 20,000 KRW (≈ $15.00 USD), Stir-fried octopus 15,000 KRW (≈ $11.25 USD)
Fresh seafood destination — Mokpo ‘Hadang Meokguri’
Mokpo is best known for its three-legged octopus, but Hadang Meokguri goes beyond that. Think abalone, scallop adductor muscles, and the popular beef samhap grill — all cooked using top-notch, fresh ingredients for a clean, non-fishy flavor. The soy-marinated crab served as a side is a delightful bonus.
| See more on Siksin: ‘Hadang Meokguri’
- ✔Location
98 Sinheng-ro, Mokpo, South Jeolla Province
- ✔Hours
Daily 11:30 AM–11:00 PM; break 3:00 PM–5:00 PM; closed Tuesdays
- ✔Menu
Nakji-tangtangi (extra large) 120,000 KRW (≈ $90.00 USD)
The buzzy yukhoe spot with a line — Jongno ‘Buchon Yukhoe’
Buchon Yukhoe in Jongno, listed in the Michelin Guide, is worth the wait. They use fresh, locally sourced beef delivered every morning and season their yukhoe with sesame oil and pear for that rich, slightly sweet finish. The yukhoe-nakji tangtangi — chewy octopus paired with yukhoe — is a crowd favorite. You can also order satisfying dishes like yukhoe mulhoe and yukhoe bibimbap, which have won over both local and international diners.
| See more on Siksin: ‘Buchon Yukhoe’
- ✔Location
200-12 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- ✔Hours
Daily 10:00 AM–9:30 PM (break 3:00 PM–4:00 PM / last order 9:00 PM); no break on weekends
- ✔Prices
Yukhoe 21,000 KRW (≈ $15.75 USD) · Yukhoe-nakji tangtangi 35,000 KRW (≈ $26.25 USD) · Yukhoe bibimbap 10,000 KRW (≈ $7.50 USD)
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