“Boksa Flower Blooming House” in Cheongna, Incheon, is a well-known restaurant particularly famous for its stir-fried octopus. This restaurant emphasizes both taste and ambiance, attracting many visitors for various reasons. Here is a detailed introduction to “Boksa Flower Blooming House.”
Location and Exterior
- Address: 201 Magnolia 2, 2nd Floor, 7-13 Cheongna Emerald-ro 76beon-gil, Seo-gu, Incheon
- Location Features: Located in Cheongna’s main food street, it is easy to find, and convenient parking is available within the building.
- Exterior and Interior: The exterior is very clean and sophisticated, giving off a café-like vibe. The interior is bright and well-maintained, offering a comfortable atmosphere overall.
Menu and Features
- Stir-fried Octopus: The signature dish here is the stir-fried octopus, known for its distinctive charred flavor. It rivals the famous stir-fried octopus restaurants in Gimpo.
- Set Menu: When you order a set menu for two or more people, you can enjoy handmade oven-baked pizza, salad, cold buckwheat jelly soup, and brewed coffee along with the stir-fried octopus. There is a separate space for drinking coffee, so there is no need to move to a café after the meal.
- Side Dishes and Self-service Bar: Four basic side dishes are provided, all neatly prepared. The self-service bar offers unlimited refills of beverages and seaweed soup, with the seaweed soup having a rich flavor.
Customer Experience
- Harmony with Rice: The stir-fried octopus goes well with the side dishes when mixed with rice. Some customers suggest offering barley rice as an option.
- Variety of Menu: The set menu includes pizza, salad, and cold buckwheat jelly soup, allowing you to enjoy a variety of flavors in one meal.
- Additional Services: The option to enjoy coffee in a separate café area after the meal is a significant advantage.
Overall Evaluation
“Boksa Flower Blooming House” offers delicious stir-fried octopus along with a variety of side dishes. The clean atmosphere, friendly service, and convenient location make it a highly recommended restaurant for those visiting Cheongna, Incheon. It is anticipated to gain even more popularity if it expands to Seoul and other metropolitan areas.
For these reasons, “Boksa Flower Blooming House” is considered the perfect place for those looking to enjoy stir-fried octopus in the Cheongna area of Incheon.
Stir-fried octopus, known as Jjukkumi Bokkeum in Korean, is a popular Korean dish featuring small octopuses stir-fried in a spicy sauce. The dish is celebrated for its chewy texture and the harmonious blend of spicy and savory flavors. Here’s a detailed introduction to Jjukkumi Bokkeum.
Characteristics of Jjukkumi Bokkeum
- Main Ingredient: Jjukkumi (small octopus) is known for its tender and chewy texture. Using fresh octopus enhances the flavor of the dish.
- Seasoning: The seasoning typically includes gochujang (Korean red chili paste), gochugaru (red chili powder), soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sugar, creating a spicy and slightly sweet taste. The exact proportions and additional ingredients can vary by household or restaurant.
- Additional Ingredients: Vegetables like onions, carrots, green onions, and cabbage are often stir-fried with the octopus to add richness and nutrition. Sometimes, rice cakes or udon noodles are added for variety.
Cooking Method
- Preparing the Octopus: Clean the octopus thoroughly, remove the innards, and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Making the Sauce: Mix gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, and sugar to create the spicy sauce.
- Stir-frying: Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry the vegetables such as onions, carrots, and green onions first. Then add the prepared octopus and stir-fry together. Once the octopus is partially cooked, add the sauce and continue to stir-fry until the octopus is fully cooked and the sauce is well-incorporated.
- Finishing Touch: Add a drizzle of sesame oil before serving to enhance the flavor.
How to Enjoy
- With Rice: Jjukkumi Bokkeum is usually served with rice. Mixing the stir-fried octopus with rice, vegetables, and seaweed creates a delicious bibimbap-style meal.
- As a Side Dish: It is commonly served as a side dish in a traditional Korean meal, complementing meat dishes well.
Health Benefits
- High Protein: Octopus is rich in protein, which is good for muscle health.
- Low Calorie: It is a low-calorie food, making it suitable for a diet menu.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Octopus contains vitamins B12, iron, and zinc, which help with fatigue recovery and boost the immune system.
Variations
- Adjusting Spiciness: The level of spiciness can be adjusted to make it suitable for children.
- Adding Seafood: Other seafood like shrimp or squid can be added to create a mixed seafood stir-fry.
Jjukkumi Bokkeum is a beloved Korean dish known for its spicy flavor and chewy texture. While recipes may vary slightly by region and household, the essential taste and characteristics remain the same. This versatile dish can be enjoyed in various ways and leaves a lasting impression with its unique taste.