Bongunsa Station Soy Sauce Marinated Crab Restaurant - Honest Review of Kkotji Samsung Branch

Finally Visited Kkotji Samsung Branch! What's the Truth Behind the Blue Ribbon Restaurant?

I finally visited Kkotji Samsung Branch, which my colleague kept recommending! Honestly, I'm not a big fan of soy sauce marinated crab, but my colleague's strong recommendation piqued my curiosity. With the title of being selected for the Blue Ribbon Survey for nine consecutive years and being introduced in the Michelin Guide, I had high expectations.

It's about a 5-minute walk from Bongunsa Station, making it easily accessible, and there's a dedicated parking lot at the back of the building, so it's convenient to visit by car. Even during weekday lunchtime, there was a waiting line.

First Impressions and Store Atmosphere

As soon as I entered, I felt a clean and neat vibe! It had the typical Korean restaurant atmosphere, but it wasn't overly formal, so I could enter comfortably. The tables were spaced appropriately, allowing us to eat comfortably without worrying about the next table.

The staff were friendly, and they explained the menu in detail to first-time visitors. There were quite a few foreign customers, and it seemed like they explained well in English too.

Waiting and Ordering Process

I went around 1 PM on a weekday and waited about 20 minutes. I was surprised by the wait, but it made me think, 'This is indeed a famous restaurant.' While waiting, the staff gave us the menu in advance, so we could decide on our order while waiting, which was nice.

The menu is mainly divided into soy sauce marinated crab and spicy marinated crab, with different prices depending on the size. Since it was my first time, I asked the staff for a recommendation, and they suggested the medium-sized soy sauce marinated crab. They said it's a suitable size for two people.

Finally Tasting the Soy Sauce Marinated Crab

About 10 minutes after ordering, it came out, and wow... the crab looked really plump and fresh! The soy sauce color was crystal clear and transparent, making it look really clean.

The first bite wasn't salty and had a really good umami taste! The crab meat was full, and especially the innards in the shell were really savory and sweet. The soy sauce was clean, so mixing it with rice was really delicious.

My colleague who accompanied me also gave a thumbs up saying, 'As expected, it's Kkotji!' My prejudice against soy sauce marinated crab completely changed.

The Harmony of Taste with Side Dishes

The side dishes were also really clean and delicious. Especially the radish salad and napa cabbage kimchi went really well with the marinated crab. The steamed egg was soft and warm, providing a nice contrast to the cold taste of the soy sauce marinated crab.

You need to order rice separately, and it's 1,000 won. The rice portion is adequate, and its stickiness makes it perfect for mixing with the marinated crab.

Value for Money and Satisfaction

The medium-sized soy sauce marinated crab was 48,000 won, which I initially thought was a bit expensive. However, considering the size, freshness, and taste of the crab, it seems like a reasonable price. Especially since they only use domestic blue crabs directly shipped from Seosan and Taean, it felt reassuring.

Nearby Places to Visit

After the meal, it's nice to shop at COEX nearby and visit Bongeunsa. Especially since COEX Aquarium and Starfield Library are close, it seems like a good date course.

There are many cafes around Bongunsa Station, making it a good location to enjoy dessert after a meal.

Honest Overall Review

Initially, I had a prejudice against soy sauce marinated crab, but after trying it at Kkotji, it was really delicious! The crab was fresh, and the soy sauce taste was clean, making it easy to eat without any burden. The price is a bit burdensome, but it's really worth recommending as a place for a special occasion or a meal with acquaintances.

Next time, I want to try the spicy marinated crab as well. The title of a Blue Ribbon restaurant is not just for show. It's a place I really want to recommend to beginners of soy sauce marinated crab!