I caught the smell first. Butter, browning. Garlic, sweet. Something smoky. I followed it through Gwangjang Market until I saw it: whole baby octopuses on a grill, brushed with melted butter, sizzling and curling. Muneo Butter Gui(문어버터구이).
The vendor handed me a paper plate with one cut into bite-sized pieces. Tender, savory, rich with butter and a hint of soy sauce. The kind of food where you don’t talk while eating because you don’t want to waste a moment.
What Is It?
Muneo Butter Gui(문어버터구이) is whole octopus (small or baby) grilled with butter, garlic, and a touch of soy sauce. About 150-200 kcal per serving. The combination of tender octopus + melted butter + smoky char is a Korean seafood lover’s dream.
Did You Know?
Korea has a long love affair with octopus — eaten raw (sannakji), grilled, in soup, in stews. Butter-grilled is the most modern, accessible version. Often served with toothpicks at markets, it bridges the gap between exotic Korean seafood and “I can definitely eat this” comfort food.
Where & Price
Gwangjang Market, coastal markets, fish stalls. Price: 5,000-10,000 KRW ($3.75-$7.50) per portion. More expensive than other street snacks, but you’re paying for premium seafood.
A Seafood Revelation
If you love seafood, muneo butter gui is essential. The butter softens the chewy octopus, the soy sauce adds umami depth, and the char gives it character. It’s simple Korean street food cooking at its finest. Find it at Gwangjang and thank me later.
