Maebong Station Restaurant, Sziok is the perfect spot for a nourishing meal year-round. Known for its rich broths and succulent oxtail Boiled Beef, this cozy eatery near Maebong Station offers a warm and hearty dining experience. Whether you’re looking for a healthy dish to boost your energy or a comforting meal to enjoy with a drink, Sziok delivers with its flavorful dishes made from high-quality ingredients. With easy access from Maebong Station and a reputation as a top-notch spot for locals, Sziok is a must-visit for anyone in search of authentic Korean comfort food.
It’s the season when a good meal can work wonders for your health, even better than a flu shot! I recently heard about a nourishing restaurant near Maebong Station, perfect for a light meal with a drink. With my father not feeling well lately, we decided to have a cozy father-daughter date at Sziok, a renowned Maebong Station restaurant.
Overview, Maebong Station Restaurant, Sziok
From a distance, the cute cow sign of Sziok caught our attention, making it easy to find. The large menu display outside allowed us to quickly check what was available before entering.
During weekday lunches, Sziok offers unlimited refills of rice, soup, and even somen noodles, making it a favorite spot for food enthusiasts. I’d heard that the lunch rush often results in long lines, so we decided to visit in the evening for a light drink and some oxtail Boiled Beef.
Sziok is located about a 5-minute walk from Maebong Station Exit 4, and there’s convenient parking available along Nonhyeon-ro, which is a public parking lot. However, parking spots are limited, so luck plays a big part. Fortunately, we managed to grab the last available spot.
Sziok Operating Hours:
- Every day: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM (last order at 9:00 PM)
- Monday to Friday: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM (break time)
- No break time on weekends
more info: Official Instagram
Interior Atmosphere of Maebong Station Restaurant, Sziok
Since the restaurant is located in a basement, you’ll need to walk down a few steps. Once inside, the space is clean, cozy, and large enough to accommodate a decent number of diners.
The dining area is divided into two sections. One side is more focused on meal dining, with tables arranged for two to four people, while the other side (where we sat) had larger tables, perfect for groups enjoying oxtail Boiled Beef with a drink.
At Sziok, the seolleongtang broth is made from simmering beef bone marrow and brisket for hours, combined with tendon, brisket, and shank cuts to create a rich and flavorful broth.
What makes it special is that it’s made without any additives or MSG, preserving the natural flavors of the ingredients.
I had previously thought that “suji” was a Japanese term due to its frequent appearance in dishes like suji oden and suji nabe in izakayas. However, after doing some research, I learned that suji refers to beef tendon and the surrounding muscles, similar to dogani (ox knee cartilage) in Korean cuisine. The restaurant also has a sign explaining this.
Menu:
At Sziok, orders are placed through a kiosk. Next to the kiosk, there’s a selection of seasonings available for those who want to add extra flavor to the broth, although the restaurant is known for its naturally rich meat flavors.
While a bowl of seolleongtang would have been a satisfying meal, we decided to skip the meal dishes and focus on the drinking menu.
The drinking menu includes various types of suyuk (boiled meat platters), such as mixed suyuk, tendon suyuk, and suji tang (tendon soup). However, we opted for the oxtail suyuk, which came highly recommended. It was my first time trying oxtail suyuk, so I was eager to see what it tasted like.
- Oxtail Suyuk (Medium size) for two: 45,000 KRW
Maebong Station Restaurant, Sziok, Food Review:
First up were the side dishes, including perfectly grilled pollock roe and squid jeotgal (salted and fermented squid). Shortly after, the main dish arrived: oxtail suyuk served with a hot bowl of seolleongtang broth, making for a great combination.
A good seolleongtang restaurant is usually known for its excellent kimchi, and Maebong Station Restaurant, Sziok didn’t disappoint. Both kimchi and radish kimchi are served in mini earthenware pots, allowing you to scoop out as much as you want. The kimchi was freshly made, which surprised me, as I usually expect well-fermented kimchi at restaurants like this.
While fresh kimchi isn’t my personal favorite (I prefer well-aged kimchi with broth-based dishes like seolleongtang), it was still a nice addition to the meal.
When you order the oxtail suyuk, you’re also served a complimentary shot of insamju (ginseng wine). This is a common practice at restaurants specializing in Korean health foods like samgyetang or ox knee soup, where you’re given a small shot of insamju before your meal to warm you up and give a little health boost.
I couldn’t resist trying a spoonful of the seolleongtang broth before diving into the oxtail. It was rich, flavorful, and light on the palate. The broth paired perfectly with the somen noodles that came with the meal.
The natural, rich flavor of the broth really stood out, and while I enjoyed it as-is, those who prefer a more seasoned broth can adjust the taste using the condiments provided at the kiosk.
Then, the star of the meal arrived: oxtail suyuk.
The oxtail suyuk was served fully cooked, so we could dig in right away. The stove on the table was left on to keep the dish warm, enhancing the flavor and texture of the meat.
I had been expecting tendon similar to ox knee soup, but instead, we were treated to a massive portion of oxtail. It turned out to be much more filling than anticipated. Half of the platter was filled with beautifully sliced brisket, while the other half was covered with a layer of tendon and oxtail pieces. The serving size was more than enough for two people, and we had leftovers!
The tendon was melt-in-your-mouth tender, especially when dipped into the accompanying dipping sauce. The brisket was equally soft, and I particularly enjoyed pairing it with the grilled pollock roe and fermented squid for added flavor.
One of the highlights of the meal was scraping off the tendon that had caramelized at the bottom of the pot. It had a slightly charred, sticky texture and was packed with flavor, making it an unexpected treat.
As a low-calorie food rich in collagen and amino acids, oxtail is a must for anyone looking to boost their health, and the tender meat in the oxtail suyuk at Maebong Station Restaurant, Sziok makes it a truly nourishing meal. After finishing most of the meat, we enjoyed the remaining seolleongtang broth as a light finish to the meal.
After this hearty meal, I left Maebong Station Restaurant, Sziok feeling full, satisfied, and energized. It’s a place I’ll definitely return to, next time with my mom, to enjoy this Korean delicacy in the heart of Maebong. I’m also planning to try their bibim noodles on my next visit, as they looked absolutely delicious.
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Recommendations:
- Perfect for a nourishing meal with parents or loved ones.
- Great for students preparing for exams, especially during the final stretch before college entrance exams.
- Ideal for anyone who doesn’t regularly take supplements or shots but enjoys a healthy, hearty meal every once in a while.
If you’re looking for a spot to boost your health with a satisfying meal, I highly recommend visiting Maebong Station Restaurant, Sziok, a Maebong Station gem specializing in oxtail and other nourishing dishes.