Today, following the last posting, I will introduce some delicious places in Korea that I actually visited. In fact, it’s not an introduction, but a report of what I actually ate lol. If you have ever wondered what Korean people usually eat or where we hang out with friends, my posting will help you to solve your questions a bit. For those who want to travel and play like a local person, this posting will surely be much more helpful than any other travel information.
Cheongnyeon Dabang(청년다방)
282-1 Ahyeon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Tteokbokki is definitely a Korean soul food. It is one of the most famous Korean foods for foreigners, as well. If you visit Korea, you might be able to find Tteokbokki easily.
You can find it as street food, but there are many restaurants specializing in Tteokbokki. This place is one of those Tteokbokki restaurants called “Cheongnyeon Dabang”, which became famous for its various toppings you can add on top of Tteokbokki.
It may not be difficult to find this restaurant because there are two branches in Hongdae alone, and there are a number of branches all over Seoul, including Sinchon, Edae, Ahyeon(I visited Ahyeon branch)and Dongdaemun, etc. Since it is not that spicy even for foreigners to eat, I recommend you to try it.
Also, the side menu, “Butter Garlic Fries”, is as famous as Tteokbokki. It is a perfect combination because if you finish with sweet and salty fries after eating a bite of a bit spicy Tteokbokki.
Manbok Guksujip(만복국수집)
140-12 Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
This restaurant is also famous so that it has several branches all over Seoul. They have many branches in residential areas in Seoul, as well, so this place is good for local Korean people visit when they want to have some good Korean food and drink Makgeollie right in front of their houses. I also actually often visit the branch in front of my house, but since it is a franchise restaurant, there is no big difference in taste between the branches. Good for me lol.
It focuses on quite authentic Korean food and various kinds of Makgeolli that go with the food really well. If you visit some local branches in the office area, you might be able to try some lunch special menu for quite a reasonable price. I’d like to recommend a menu called “Bossam”, boiled pork and Kimchi, or a several kinds of Korean pancake.
If you haven’t tried Makgeolli yet, I recommend you try it here for the first time. They have quite a list of Makgeolli as you can tell from the traditional atmosphere of the place. I’ve been to this place more than ten times so that I tried almost all the menus. And I can say with confidence that you might not be disappointed at whatever you choose.
Terrace(테라스)
135-9 Bukahyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Look how happy she is looking at her food LOL Korean-style pork cutlet is moister than Japanese one is. I prefer Korean-style for the reason that it goes better with the rice.
Mukjeon(묵전)
22 Eonju-ro 168-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
I’ll simply explain this place, “Mukjun”. This is an expensive version of the “Manbokguksujip” I introduced above. Located in Seoul’s most expensive area, Apgujeong, this Korean-style restaurant is so popular that it always has a long line to wait for. (Frankly, I really don’t understand why people line up at this place)
There are many people who come to hang out in this area rather than local people, so I’ll give you a tip. There are so many handsome and pretty people in this restaurant LOL. If you want to find some good-looking Koreans, please visit here. The food tastes good and they also have various kinds of Makgeolli, as well, but as I said, it’s expensive. IMAO, for most of the Korean people, it is not that common to pay this much for Korean food(I can just cook by myself lol) But it is understandable because of its location.
So I don’t highly recommend here, but if you stay near Apgujeong, and want to enjoy quite authentic Korean foods at a nice place surrounded by good-looking Korean people, please try this place.
Meokgeori Gui Madang(먹거리 구이 마당)
207-1 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul
As I mentioned in several postings of mine, Korean people are crazy about fried rice. We finish up the meals (almost every kind of food with pan) by eating fried rice.
Emergency Room Gukmul Tteokbokki
56, Seoul 24-gil, Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul
I recommend using the delivery service during your stay in Seoul. Of course, eating as soon as the food comes out of the store is the most delicious way of enjoying food, but it will be a special memory for you that can only be experienced in Korea.
I often order Tteokbokki at home whenever I get tired of work on hard days. And FYI, it is almost a crime not to order fries, as well. Please dip the fries in Tteokbokki sauce and enjoy properly 🙂
Otrec(오트렉)
192-19 Inhyeondong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Looking at the picture above, you might think “What the….Where is this? Why would you introduce somewhere like here?” But before judging me, hold your thought.
Before wrapping up my posting for today, I will add one more hidden place in Euljiro 3-ga where I love the most these days. This place named “Otrec” is a natural wine bar. It’s actually newly opened. You’ll be very surprised to see the modern and wooden interior.
It is located in the middle of Euljiro 3-ga Station and Chungmu-ro Station, so the location is a bit tricky, but it takes about 15 minutes on foot from the station(Don’t forget the Google Map!) This place, which specializes in natural wine, boasts that all the chefs have taken courses from abroad which means that all the food tastes really good.
Even though I’m in love with Euljiro, let’s admit it. It’s not that easy to find a proper wine bar with luxurious interior and chef-made food in Euljiro. This place has already become popular(I wonder how people find this kind of place) and has been introduced in several gourmet magazines.
You can enjoy the privilege of visiting this place if you read my posting (maybe the place might be full of Korean people). Why don’t you finish your night in Korea with a glass of wine before this wine bar’s becoming so famous to others that it will be hard to visit?
