88 Jeyuk Jangan: Cheyuk-Bokkeum in Seoul Late at Night

Intro

I stopped by 88 Jeyuk Jangan Branch, a cheyuk-bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) specialist in Jangan-dong, last night. Even though I got there pretty late, the place was nearly full — a good reminder that cheyuk-bokkeum spots don’t really have an “off hour.”

Menu board at 88 Jeyuk Jangan Branch showing cheyuk-bokkeum and kimchi jjigae options

Something I always say — cheyuk-bokkeum is basically a soul food for Korean men. One bite of pork stir-fried in that sweet-and-spicy sauce, and you can feel the day’s exhaustion just melt away.

The Atmosphere

Interior of 88 Jeyuk Jangan Branch with wooden tables and black stools

Wall-mounted TV showing a KBO baseball game inside the restaurant

Refrigerator stocked with Cass and Terra beer at a Korean restaurant

Wooden tables, black stools, a yellow sign out front — the place has a casual, no-frills setup. A wall-mounted TV had a KBO baseball game playing (Doosan vs. KIA that night), setting the perfect mood for a drink. The fridge in the back was stocked with Cass and Terra beer. This felt less like a tourist spot and more like a regular hangout for local office workers and families.

Time to Eat

Close-up of smoky cheyuk-bokkeum stir-fried pork

Cheyuk-bokkeum set served with multigrain rice

Close-up of Spam kimchi jjigae in a bowl

ide dishes including soy-marinated onions and white kimchi

Table spread of cheyuk-bokkeum and kimchi jjigae at 88 Jeyuk Jangan Branch

This time, I ordered cheyuk-bokkeum along with kimchi jjigae. 88 Jeyuk offers two versions of kimchi jjigae — pork or Spam. Since the cheyuk-bokkeum was already a meat-heavy dish, I went with the Spam version to try to balance things out… and that’s something I always end up regretting. The saltiness and richness of the Spam isn’t bad exactly, but when it comes to depth of broth, the pork version is definitely the more classic choice. Next time, I’m switching to pork for sure.

The soy-marinated onions, white kimchi, and radish salad on the side did a great job cutting through the richness. The multigrain rice with black rice mixed in felt like a nice, healthy touch too. The cheyuk-bokkeum had a strong smoky char and sesame aroma, and the rice disappeared fast.

Ordering is self-service, based on the menu posted at the table, and card payment was accepted, which made things easy.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cheyuk-bokkeum with a strong, smoky charred flavor
Great side dishes like soy-marinated onions that cut through the richness
Card payment accepted, and it’s busy even late at night
Good drink selection — Chamisul and Chum-Churum soju, plus Cass and Terra beer

Cons:

The Spam kimchi jjigae runs a bit salty — personally, I preferred the pork version
The menu listed spice level options (mild/medium/very spicy) but I forgot to check which one I got

Restaurant Info

Exterior and entrance of 88 Jeyuk Jangan Branch open late at night

Name: 88 Jeyuk Jangan Branch (88제육 장안점)
Address: Jangan-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, near Chwal-yeong-so Sageori intersection (exact address to be confirmed)
Phone: 010-9945-5406
Hours: TBD (will update)

Main Menu

Cheyuk-deopbap (pork over rice): 10,000 won
88 Cheyuk-bokkeum (seasoned or soy-based): 12,000 won
Guknmul-tteulchigi (stir-fried soup style): 13,000 won (1 serving) / 25,000 won (2 servings)
Kimchi jjigae (pork or Spam): 10,000 won
Kimchijjim (pork or Spam): 13,000 won (1 serving) / 25,000 won (2 servings)
Cold noodles (water-based or spicy mixed): 8,000 won

88 Jeyuk is a chain with locations across Korea, and this was the Jangan branch. Flavor and atmosphere can vary a bit by location, so if there’s another branch nearby, it might be fun to compare.

If you’re craving spicy soup and smoky cheyuk-bokkeum late at night, 88 Jeyuk in Jangan-dong is a solid pick.

Note: Google Maps may still show this location under its previous name, since the listing hasn’t been updated yet (it’s now 88 Jeyuk inside). The pin location itself is accurate, so you can still use it for directions.