닭갈비 Dakgalbi
Chicken marinated in spicy chili paste, stir-fried with cabbage and rice cakes on a hot pan at the table.
Spice: Medium
Bokkeum (stir-fried)
낙지볶음 Nakjibokkeum
Small octopus stir-fried in a red chili sauce, eaten over rice or as food with drinks.
- Stir-fried Octopus
- Spice: Hot
- Contains seafood
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Small octopus, gochujang, chili flakes, onion, cabbage |
| How it's served | Hot on a plate or in a shallow pan, with rice and side dishes |
| Spice level | Hot — Very spicy, even for many Koreans. |
| Diet | Contains seafood — Fish, shellfish, fish sauce, salted seafood (jeotgal) or anchovy stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Mollusc shellfish · Soy · Wheat · Sesame |
| Ask about | Some versions add shrimp, pork or tripe; wheat noodles are often served alongside. |
| On the menu | 낙지볶음 (Nakjibokkeum) |
| Also called | nakji bokkeum · nakji bokeum · nakchi bokkeum · spicy octopus stir-fry |
| Region | Nationwide · Seoul |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Stir-fried Octopus
Spoon it over rice
Put some octopus and sauce on your rice. Many people use a large bowl for this.
Mix the sauce in
Stir the rice and sauce together with your spoon so the sauce coats all the rice.
Cool the heat between bites
Eat mild side dishes or soup between spoonfuls. Ask for water if it gets too hot.
How to order it
Order it as 낙지볶음. Many places sell it as a single portion with rice, and larger plates are shared over drinks.
- On the menu: 낙지볶음
- Usually sold: 1 serving, with rice
Similar dishes
어묵볶음 Eomukbokkeum
Thin strips of fish cake stir-fried with vegetables in a sweet soy sauce, served as a small side dish.
Spice: Not spicy
제육볶음 Jeyukbokkeum
Thin slices of pork stir-fried in a spicy chili paste sauce, eaten with rice or wrapped in lettuce.
Spice: Medium
Questions about Stir-fried Octopus
Is nakjibokkeum vegetarian?
No. It is made with octopus, and some versions add shrimp or pork.
How spicy is nakjibokkeum?
Hot. It is very spicy, even for many Koreans, so eat it with rice and mild side dishes.
Can you eat nakjibokkeum alone?
Usually yes. Many places sell a single portion with rice, often at lunch.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 25, 2026