Siam Square is again prosperous with Korean food. Recent additions to the pioneers Dak Galbi and Red Sun include cafes like Holly’s, Seobinggo and Snowfall, and restaurants like Jjang, Yoogane and Masizzim.

This no-frills chain from Gangnam specializes in Korean stew, in which three protein options—pork ribs, beef ribs and chicken—are cooked with gochujang chili sauce and served in a piping hot pot with a choice of ramen or cellophane noodles. They let you choose from four levels of hotness—but we’d recommend erring on the side of caution.

The level-two pork ribs stew (B250/470/900 for S/M/L sizes), for instance, is not for the faint-hearted. While the spicy soup is rather overpowering, we have no complaints about the rib meat, which is tender and easily slides off the bone. The accompanying thick cellophane noodles add a nice chewiness, while pumpkin and eryngii mushroom contribute a welcome variety of textures. In comparison, the level-one chicken stew (B210/390/740), which comes with potatoes and carrots, is hardly spicy at all, but makes for a more flavorful, well-rounded soup.

The menu also boasts plenty of appetizers, including Korean pancakes (from B190), stir-fried dishes (from B190), dumplings (from B70), tteokbokki (rice cake in gochujang sauce, B280) and rice balls (B150), which are formed tableside from a bowl of kimchi, seaweed and shredded tuna. The flavors are mellow and we love that they don’t skimp on the fish, ensuring every bite is balanced. The only real let-down is the sauteed squid and pork with hot pepper paste (B200), which is too oily and lacks both flavor and decent squid.

Though service is typically attentive (except for the case of a missing pancake on our last visit), we might hesitate about going to Masizzim for a quick lunch or special dinner. For a casual Korean bite, it’s a solid if unspectacular option that’s proving to be particularly popular with Siam Square’s student crowds.