Kkotdam Hwaseong Review 2026: Ganjang Gejang & Crab Stew

Looking for an incredible culinary experience in Hwaseong that offers fantastic value?

Imagine savoring delicious soy-marinated crab (ganjang gejang), spicy marinated crab (yangnyeom gejang),

and even a hearty crab stew (kkotgetang) all in one place!

Hwaseong is a treasure trove of amazing restaurants, especially around the historic Yunggeonreung area. It's the perfect spot for a weekend drive, culminating in a memorable meal. Just last weekend, my parents and I discovered a true gem near BoTong-ri Reservoir: Kkotdam:Kkotgedamun. Here’s our full review!

📍 304-19 Sejaro, Jeongnam-myeon, Hyojeong-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

⏱️ Daily 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Weekday break time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)

🅿️ Dedicated parking lot in front of the restaurant

💰 Main menu 1-person sets: ~$10-17 / Domestic female crab package (3 crabs): ~$24

✅️ Enjoy fresh, delicious marinated crab for up to ~$17 per person

✅️ Leftovers can be packaged to go (packaging container fee applies)

1. Kkotdam:Kkotgedamun Location & Parking in Hwaseong near BoTong-ri Reservoir

Yunggeonreung is renowned for gathering many of Hwaseong's best restaurants. It's about a 30-minute drive from Dongtan, and the nearby BoTong-ri Reservoir boasts charming cafes, making it an ideal destination for a combined weekend drive and delicious meal.

Kkotdam:Kkotgedamun is conveniently located near BoTong-ri Reservoir and not far from Yunggeonreung.

Since this area is perfect for scenic drives, easy parking is a big plus! Kkotdam offers its own dedicated parking lot right in front of the restaurant, so you won't have to worry about finding a spot at this Yunggeonreung favorite.

Keep reading for more on the menu and our honest review of Hwaseong's crab restaurant, Kkotdam:Kkotgedamun! 🔽

2. Kkotdam:Kkotgedamun Menu & Atmosphere in Hwaseong

Here's a look at the menu at Kkotdam, Hwaseong's renowned crab restaurant. The main dishes are divided into four sets, each offering different combinations:

Sets 1 & 2 feature their standard ganjang gejang (soy-marinated crab).

Sets 3 & 4 highlight premium amkkotge ganjang gejang (female crab marinated in soy sauce).

Prices vary depending on whether the crab stew (kkotgetang) is included in your chosen set.

My family decided to go all out and ordered the "Kkotsuni Tang Set" (Set #4), which included the premium female crab and the delicious crab stew!

It was a bustling Saturday afternoon, with several tables occupied. The restaurant felt spacious, with ample room between tables, and they even had high chairs available, making it super convenient for families with young children (you can spot one on the left in the right-hand photo!).

Don't forget to check out their Naver receipt review event! You can snag a complimentary shrimp gejang as a service. ❤️

3. Our Honest Review of Kkotdam:Kkotgedamun, Hwaseong's Ganjang Gejang Gem

Our "Kkotsuni Tang Set" for three arrived, featuring generous portions of female crab ganjang gejang and yangnyeom gejang, along with plain rice and four to five delightful side dishes. It also included seaweed and flying fish roe (nalchi-al) to enjoy with the crab!

The sesame oil and disposable gloves were thoughtfully provided in individual packets, as you can see in the photo. Having two gloves meant we could really get into the experience, using both hands to enjoy every last bit of crab! 🤣 A drizzle of sesame oil is absolutely divine when mixed with the roe in the crab shell or over crab meat and rice. It truly elevates the flavor! 💖

The crab stew arrived partially cooked, so we placed it on the burner to simmer a bit longer. Once the vegetables softened, we dug in!​

I honestly thought the marinated crab would be the star, with the crab stew as just a side. But the amount of succulent crab meat in the stew was absolutely incredible! My mom kept saying it was even more delicious than crab stew she'd had at various seafood restaurants. She couldn't get enough! 🤭

Now, for the main event: the marinated crabs! We received three ganjang gejang and three yangnyeom gejang. Only the ganjang gejang came with the back shells.

Let's take a closer look at the impressive crab meat ratio! 🔽🔽

My mom squeezed the crab on the left, and I took the picture – I nearly screamed when the meat just *burst* out! The amount of luscious meat and roe was truly astounding, wasn't it?! *0*

And equally important: the seasoning! The soy sauce for the ganjang gejang wasn't overly salty, which was perfect. The yangnyeom gejang had a delightful balance of spicy and sweet, with seasoning that was just right – not too much, not too little. It was absolutely spot on! ☆

My mom meticulously scraped out all the roe from the crab shells, mixing it with rice and flying fish roe. I, on the other hand, preferred to squeeze the tender crab meat onto plain rice and wrap it in seaweed.

Honestly, my mom is quite a picky eater, so I was a little worried she might find the crab too "fishy." But she kept praising how fresh it was and how abundant the meat was, saying she loved it! I wouldn't be surprised if she brings all her friends from the neighborhood here next time! 😏

The marinated crab itself was incredibly delicious on its own, but wrapping it in seaweed took it to another level! The popping texture of the flying fish roe added a wonderful dimension, making it an even more special treat. 😋

After enjoying the crab stew and the generously filled marinated crabs, we actually had some crab left over! 🤣 We decided to get it packaged to take home and enjoy later. The fact that they sell separate containers for leftovers is a fantastic bonus, making it easy to bring home any delicious remnants! 💖

Thanks to the review event, we also got to savor a tasty shrimp gejang! We truly enjoyed every bite.

This concludes our review of Kkotdam:Kkotgedamun, a fantastic ganjang gejang and BoTong-ri Reservoir restaurant in Hwaseong! :>