K-Food Tour! Top 5 Hidden Old Restaurants near Jongno 3-ga Station

"Hello! This is the 'Delicious Station Area' series."

Today, we're heading to Jongno 3-ga Station, the heart of Seoul, where tradition and modernity coexist. Hidden between the back of Tapgol Park and the alleys of Ikseon-dong, this place is the sacred ground of 'real old establishments' that have maintained their consistent taste for decades. Instead of flashy signs, the unpretentious yet deep flavors that reflect the passage of time reveal the true charm of Seoul.

Essential Guide for Readers

Please check the information below before visiting, as the address, business hours, and menu may change due to the restaurant's circumstances.

Essential to confirm business information: The business hours, break times, and regular holidays of the restaurants may change without notice depending on local circumstances. Please be sure to check the latest information via Naver Maps or Google Maps before visiting.

Prepare for communication difficulties: Communication in languages other than Korean may be difficult. You can order more smoothly by saving the names or pictures of the menus you want to eat in advance.

Jongno 3-ga Old Establishment Gourmet Road

Dae-ryeon House

[Jongno 3-ga] "The combination of the rich broth of bone marrow kalguksu (noodles) and the best raw napa cabbage bossam (boiled pork belly)"

Restaurant Information

• Go to Naver Map
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Restaurant Address

• 37 Jong-ro 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 443m from Exit 15 of Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, and 5)

Business Hours

• Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 21:30 (Break Time 14:30 - 17:00)
• Regular holiday on Sundays

Main Menu

• Raw Napa Cabbage Bossam, Bone Marrow Kalguksu

Features

• It is famous for its raw napa cabbage bossam, where thinly sliced meat is wrapped in napa cabbage. Especially, the kalguksu with rich bone broth, which comes with the bossam, is the hidden star of this place. It's a great place to have a glass of makgeolli (Korean rice wine) in an old establishment atmosphere that seems to have accumulated the smell of boiled meat for decades.

Review Reactions

• Korean Reactions: "The broth of the bone marrow kalguksu is really amazing. It's fantastic when eaten with suyuk (boiled pork) with plenty of pepper.", "A place where you can enjoy bossam and kalguksu at a great price."
• Foreign Reactions: "Excellent combination of boiled pork (Bossam) and rich bone broth noodles (Kalguksu). The Bossam with fresh napa cabbage is refreshing.", "Very authentic and popular local spot for drinking Korean traditional rice wine (Makgeolli)."

Yeongchun Ok

[Jongno 3-ga] "Over 70 years old! The killer menu is the hearty gomtang (beef bone soup) broth with bone-in haejangguk (hangover stew)"

Restaurant Information

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Restaurant Address

• 13 Donhwamun-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 100m from Exit 2-1 of Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, and 5)

Business Hours

• Open 24 hours a day

Main Menu

• Bone-in Haejangguk, Kkori Gomtang (Oxtail Soup), Gomtang

Features

• It is one of the oldest establishments in Seoul, having been in business for over 70 years. Gomtang with a rich meat broth and bone-in haejangguk with plenty of tender meat are representative. It is a good place to experience Korean night culture as it is open late.

Review Reactions

• Korean Reactions: "The meat attached to the bone is so tender that it falls off easily. The broth tastes rich and deep.", "It's good to go for a hangover cure because it's open late. The kimchi and kkakdugi (radish kimchi) are also delicious."
• Foreign Reactions: "A truly historical restaurant. The bone broth soup is deeply flavorful and restorative.", "The meat is so tender. Great place for a midnight snack or hangover cure (Haejang-guk)."

Hapcheon Dwaeji Gukbap

[Jongno 3-ga/Jonggak] "Clean and clear broth! Seoul-style dwaeji gukbap (pork soup) that has captured even the MZ generation"

Restaurant Information

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Restaurant Address

• 418-3 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 123m from Exit 5 of Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, and 5)

Business Hours

• Monday - Saturday 09:00 - 19:00 (Break Time 15:30 - 16:30)
• Regular holiday on Sundays

Main Menu

• Dwaeji Gukbap, Meorittgogi (Pork Head Meat)

Features

• Instead of the milky broth of the Busan style, it features a clear and clean broth made with black pork loin. It is clean without being heavy, so there are few likes and dislikes, and if you add plenty of chives garnish, it adds a fragrant touch. It is a good place to recommend for foreigners as an introduction to gukbap.

Review Reactions

• Korean Reactions: "It's clean and refreshing because it's a clear broth. The chives enhance the flavor of the gukbap.", "It's a reasonable price for this quality, so you should go before it gets famous."
• Foreign Reactions: "A lighter, cleaner style of Korean pork soup. Not as heavy as other regional styles, very pleasant.", "The side dishes (Banchan) and the freshness of the meat are excellent."

Yujin Restaurant

[Jongno 3-ga] "The best price-performance ratio! Mild and refreshing Pyongyang Naengmyeon (cold noodles) and assorted meat suyuk (boiled meat)"

Restaurant Information

• Go to Naver Map
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Restaurant Address

• 40 Jong-ro 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 58m from Exit 5 of Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, and 5)

Business Hours

• Regular holiday on Mondays and Tuesdays
• Wednesday - Sunday 11:30 - 21:00 (Break Time 14:30 - 16:00)

Main Menu

• Naengmyeon, Nokdu Jijim (Mung Bean Pancake), Suyuk

Features

• It is called the 'best price-performance ratio' among Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles) enthusiasts. The main menu is authentic Pyongyang naengmyeon, which is mild and refreshing, and the assorted suyuk (boiled meat) and crispy nokdu jijim (mung bean pancake) enjoyed with makgeolli are popular. You can experience a complex but warm old establishment atmosphere.

Review Reactions

• Korean Reactions: "Naengmyeon that shows the end of the mildness. It has an addictive aftertaste. Nokdu jijim (mung bean pancake) is really artistic rather than naengmyeon.", "You can enjoy Pyeongnaeng (Pyongyang naengmyeon) and assorted meat at an affordable price, so the alcohol goes down smoothly."
• Foreign Reactions: "The authentic taste of Pyongyang Cold Noodles (Pyeongyang Naengmyeon). Very light, savory, and subtly flavored.", "A great local traditional experience. Affordable prices for a delicious meal."

Sujung Restaurant

[Jongno 3-ga/Jonggak] "Hearty and fulfilling! The soul food of Koreans, Jeyuk Ssambap (spicy pork with wrapped rice)"

Restaurant Information

• Go to Naver Map
• Go to Google Map

Restaurant Address

• 15 Samil-daero 20-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 285m from Exit 15 of Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, and 5)

Business Hours

• Monday - Friday 11:00 - 21:30
• Regular holiday on Saturdays and Sundays

Main Menu

• Jeyuk Ssambap, Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly)

Features

• It is famous for jeyuk ssam (spicy pork with wrapped rice), which provides various side dishes and fresh ssam vegetables at an affordable price. As a lunch restaurant for office workers, the combination of the delicious seasoned jeyuk bokkeum (stir-fried pork) and ssam bap (wrapped rice) is perfect for experiencing the everyday 'gasungbi baekban' (value-for-money home-style meal) culture of Korea.

Review Reactions

• Korean Reactions: "It's satisfying because there are plenty of ssam vegetables and side dishes at a low price. The jeyuk seasoning is delicious.", "The staff is friendly, and the service is fast, so the turnover rate is good during lunch hours."
• Foreign Reactions: "Excellent value for money (Gasungbi). A real local spot for Korean traditional lunch set (Baekban) with spicy pork (Jeyuk).", "Lots of fresh lettuce and side dishes. A true taste of Korean home cooking."

In conclusion

Jongno 3-ga Station is a treasure trove where the long tradition and deep flavors of Seoul's historical center are alive and breathing. Through the TOP 5 old establishment restaurants introduced today, experience the charming atmosphere of Korea and the appeal of true K-soul food.

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