By James Moon
Well known to the D.C.-area Korean community, the Oegadgip restaurant is almost hidden from Annandale’s thoroughfare, tucked in at 7331 Little River Turnpike (next to Jerry’s Subs and Pizza). Don’t let the name faze you: Oegadgip is roughly pronounced as “weh gah jeep.”
Oegadgip takes its name from the Korean word for the home of the wife’s family or an inlaws’ house on the wife’s side. Koreans traditionally lived in multigenerational households with the husband’s extended family, and the Korean surname is patrilineal, but so is the drama and realities of everyday living with dad’s folks. A visit to mom’s side of the family was a rare treat. That’s why this restaurant’s name is special. Mom’s family are folks you don’t see as often. And when you do, mom’s sisters tend to lavish their nephews and nieces with affection, and grandma prepares fresh chicken herbal soup especially for her favorite son-in-law. This stereotype survives in Korea even today, and that’s the image this restaurant is shooting for in Annandale.
But people don’t come to Oegadgip for its charming name. They come for the food, which this restaurant does well – everything from all-you-can-eat grilling to large hotpots to
tteokbokki. Let’s run down the menu.
First, Oegadgip is one of Annandale’s best options for all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue, but it’s not one of those buffet-style do-it-yourself venues. Here a wise diner cultivates a good relationship with the hostess, as she will be bringing each order of meat and helping cook it on a long stone slab over a tableside gas burner. The entire table must go for the all-you-can-eat option together, at $16 each (and discounts for those under age 7). It should be noted that Oegadgip doesn’t marinate the meat, which isn’t an issue unless you prefer marinated bulgogi. Diners take part in the preparation by dipping and wrapping. Dip your meat in the sesame oil and use the thinly sliced rice cake, radish, or lettuce to wrap a bit of meat, rice, and veggies.
Second, Oegadgip is one of the rare places in the metropolitan area that serves shabu shabu (pictured above on the left), another all-you-can-eat item at $19 per person at the table. Shabu shabu is an activity as much as it is a pan-Asian food favorite. Your table is furnished with a large broth-filled hot pot on a gas burner. Next you’re provided with various vegetables, thinly sliced meat, noodles, and other ingredients to turn the broth into a simmering hearty soup.
Third, if your party doesn’t want to spring for all-you-can-eat options, the menu has a wide selection of Korean noodle bowls, rice dishes, seafood, soups, and stews. Virtually every Korean standby is represented, including
bibimbap,
sundubu jjigae,
naengmyeon, and marinated
bulgogi. Last time I was there, my friend ordered the spicy squid fry (pictured at right) for $15, which was cooked at the table and tasted delicious. Choosing just one dish could be difficult, so make sure to bring along someone who doesn’t mind sharing. Lunch specials start at $8. Dinner entrees range from $9 to $25.
This place sounds awesome! I'll have to try it. Keep up the good work. I love your blog.