A Chinese Comfort Food Spot in Namgajwa-dong, Seoul: What to Order at Rakhui-an Gajwa Main Branch

 

Introduction

If you are looking for a Chinese restaurant in the Gajwa area and want something that works for both small meals and group dining, Rakhui-an Gajwa Main Branch is an easy place to consider. It is located on Gajaeul-ro 4-gil in Namgajwa-dong, Seodaemun-gu. The restaurant is known for Chinese dishes with a style that feels adapted to Korean dining preferences, so the meal can feel familiar even when you are ordering from a Chinese menu.

That mix shows up clearly in the way the menu is built. You will see dishes such as green onion guobaorou, abalone stone-pot scorched rice soup, and spicy baby octopus black bean noodles served in a hot pot. The restaurant uses both the first and second floor, so the seating is spacious. Reservations are available, and it also works well for group meals. Based on visitor impressions, the food, ingredient freshness, roomy dining space, and suitability for larger parties are some of the points people tend to remember.

What to Order

Green Onion Guobaorou (Daepa Kkwabarou - 대파꿔바로우)

If you are deciding what to order first, the green onion guobaorou is one of the clearest starting points. This is the dish most closely tied to the restaurant. The pork is fried until crisp, coated in sauce, and topped generously with thinly sliced green onions. The combination matters here. The crunch from the fried coating, the sweet-tart sauce, and the sharp aroma from the green onions all push the dish in a more layered direction than a standard fried meat dish. It makes the most sense as a shared order for the table, especially if you want one dish that immediately sets the tone for the meal.

Abalone Scorched Rice Soup (Jeonbok Dolpan Nurungji-tang - 전복돌판누룽지탕)

The abalone scorched rice soup is a better pick if you want something warm and non-spicy. Despite the name, it is not served already sitting in a stone plate. Instead, a heated empty earthenware pot is brought out, and the prepared scorched rice soup is poured in at the table. That presentation gives the dish a stronger visual element and keeps it hot as it is served. Since it is not a spicy item, it works well for diners who want something gentler. With abalone, mushrooms, and prepared squid in the bowl, it also feels more like a composed main dish than a side order. Among the menu choices here, this is one of the items that stands out most.

Baby Octopus Stone-Pot Black Bean Noodles (Jjukkumi Dolsot Jjajang - 쭈꾸미돌솥짜장)

The baby octopus stone-pot black bean noodles make sense if you want a jjajang dish with more heat and a heavier finish. The noodles and baby octopus are served in a large hot pot, which helps the dish stay warm until the end. Compared with regular black bean noodles, this version seems built to leave a stronger impression. The sauce feels deeper, and the slight spicy edge helps cut through the richness that often builds as you eat jjajangmyeon. If regular black bean noodles can start to feel too heavy by the last few bites, this is the kind of variation that changes that pacing.

Location

Address: 53 Gajaeul-ro 4-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Hours: 

Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Closed on Mondays.
Last order: 9:00 p.m.
Break time:

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Phone: 0507-1375-7581.
Public transportation: Exit 1 of Gajwa Station on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, bus 272, Baengnyeon Market stop, then walk.
Parking is available next to the restaurant, with valet service for 1,000 won.

Map

Nearby Places

Baengnyeon Market (Baengnyeon Sijang - 백련시장)

Baengnyeon Market is the closest stop to add before or after the meal. 

It is a traditional market area within walking distance, so it fits naturally if you want a short walk nearby.

Hongdae Street (Hongdae Geori - 홍대거리)

Hongdae Street is farther away and not somewhere you would reach on foot from the restaurant, but it can be added later by bus or car. 

It makes more sense if you want to continue the day in a busier area with cafés, shops, and small performance spaces.

Haneul Park (Haneul Gongwon - 하늘공원)

Haneul Park is also some distance away, but it works better if you want an outdoor stop after the meal. 

The open views and walking paths give it a very different pace from the restaurant setting.

Explore more in Seodaemun-gu

Taste preferences can vary, and details may change over time.

For the latest information, confirm current details on the restaurant’s map listing before visiting.

Some images in this article are AI-generated and are intended for reference only.