[Seoul Restaurant Tour] Taste Beyond Borders! Gourmet Road of North Korean Cuisine in Seoul

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

Today, we're embarking on a culinary journey to explore the most unique and special gastronomic experience in Seoul: the theme of Ibuk cuisine (traditional dishes from North Korean regions). Dishes representing major regions of North Korea, such as Hamheung, Pyongyang, Hwanghae-do, and Pyeongan-do, have a unique charm that is both similar to and yet subtly different from South Korean cuisine, offering a light and subtly seasoned experience.

These dishes, passed down through the hands of displaced people who couldn't return to their hometowns due to the division, are a precious gateway to experience the flavors of North Korea that travelers cannot access. Discover the flavors that transcend borders right here in Seoul.

Essential Information for Readers

Please note that addresses, operating hours, and menus may change due to restaurant circumstances, so please confirm the information below before visiting.

• Essential to check operating information: Restaurant operating hours, break times, and regular holidays may change without notice depending on local circumstances. Be sure to check the latest information via Naver Map or Google Maps before your visit.
• Understanding the subtle taste: Ibuk cuisine tends to be less seasoned and more subtle than South Korean cuisine. You might feel it's 'bland', but the key is to enjoy the original taste of the ingredients.

Seoul Ibuk Cuisine Gourmet Road

Ballyongsan

[Seolleung Station / Samseong Station] "Hamheung's specialty, Garitgukbap with beef and blood sausage"

Restaurant Information

• Go to Naver Map
• Go to Google Map

Restaurant Address

• 26, Teheran-ro 78-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 1st floor
• 682m from Exit 1 of Seolleung Station on Subway Line 2 and Suin-Bundang Line

Operating Hours

• Daily 11:00 - 21:30

Main Menu

• Garitgukbap, Mixed Naengmyeon (Hoe Naengmyeon + Meat Naengmyeon), Suyuk

Features

• This restaurant specializes in Hamheung cuisine. Garitgukbap, made with clear beef broth, beef, tofu, and blood sausage, and served with rice, is a Hamheung local dish that is hard to find elsewhere. Unlike the typical spicy gukbap, it has a clear and subtle taste.

Reviews

• Korean Reviews: "I like the generous amount of hoe (raw fish) and beef in the hoe naengmyeon.", "Garitgukbap is a delicacy with a clear and subtle broth like galbitang."
• Foreign Reviews: "Unique North Korean regional food. The Garit Gukbap is clear and savory.", "The Hwe Naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) has a good balance of spice and refreshing flavor."

Neungra Bapsang

[Independent Gate Station / Gwanghwamun] "Authentic Ibuk Cuisine Restaurant run by a North Korean defector chef"

Restaurant Information

• Go to Naver Map
• Go to Google Map

Restaurant Address

• 14, Sajik-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Neungra Bapsang
• 553m from Exit 3 of Independent Gate Station on Subway Line 3

Operating Hours

• Daily 11:00 - 21:00 (Break Time 15:00 - 16:00)

Main Menu

• Eobok Jaengban, Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, Haeju Bibimbap, Pyeongyang Onban

Features

• This restaurant is run by a chef who is a North Korean defector, and it offers a variety of dishes from North Korea. Eobok Jaengban, made by boiling beef brisket and vegetables in broth, is the signature dish. Haeju Bibimbap is famous for its unique method of seasoning with soy sauce and sesame oil instead of gochujang, and aims for a clean taste without using chemical seasonings.

Reviews

• Korean Reviews: "The eobok jaengban is subtle and the original taste of the ingredients is well preserved.", "The uniqueness of Haeju Bibimbap, which is mixed with only soy sauce without gochujang, is attractive."
• Foreign Reviews: "Authentic North Korean cuisine. Eobok Jaengban (beef platter in broth) is sophisticated and savory.", "A good place to try Pyeongyang Onban and experience regional cuisine."

Mipildam

[Hapjeong Station] "Hwanghae-do style handmade dumpling soup revived with a young sensibility"

Restaurant Information

• Go to Naver Map
• Go to Google Map

Restaurant Address

• 22, Seongji 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 1st floor, left side, Mipildam
• 320m from Exit 7 of Hapjeong Station on Subway Lines 2 and 6

Operating Hours

• Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
• Wednesday - Sunday 11:30 - 20:30 (Break Time 14:30 - 17:30)

Main Menu

• Ibuk-style handmade dumpling soup, Yangji Onban, Suyuk Muchim, Kimchi Mal-i Guksu (seasonal)

Features

• Based on the cooking methods of the owner's maternal grandmother from Sariwon, Hwanghae-do. The Ibuk-style dumpling soup, characterized by its subtle and simple broth like Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, is the signature dish. It's suitable for solo dining or dates with its clean and neat interior, and it has been selected for the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand.

Reviews

• Korean Reviews: "The dumpling filling goes well with the subtle and clean broth. It's not too stimulating, so it's not a burden.", "The dumpling soup is so delicious that I highly recommend it over other menus."
• Foreign Reviews: "Michelin Bib Gourmand selection. The Mandu-guk (dumpling soup) is light and full of flavor.", "The atmosphere is quiet and good for solo dining."

Manpo Makguksu

[Yaksu Station] "The master of Makguksu with clear broth and Ibuk-style Jjimdak"

Restaurant Information

• Go to Naver Map
• Go to Google Map

Restaurant Address

• 2, Dongho-ro 14-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 72m from Exit 1 of Yaksu Station on Subway Lines 3 and 6

Operating Hours

• Monday - Friday 11:30 - 21:30 (Break Time 16:00 - 17:00)
• Saturday - Sunday 11:30 - 21:00

Main Menu

• Ibuk-style Jjimdak, Mul Makguksu, Jeopsi Mandu

Features

• Famous for its Ibuk-style Makguksu and Jjimdak. The Ibuk-style Jjimdak, made by steaming chicken in clear broth to remove the oil, and then topped with blanched green onions, is tender and light, and is also popular as a health food menu. It's good for family outings with its clean interior and spacious space.

Reviews

• Korean Reviews: "The Jjimdak is really tender and subtle. It's fantastic when eaten with the green onions on top of the chicken.", "The Makguksu has a clear broth that is refreshing, and the aroma of buckwheat is well preserved."
• Foreign Reviews: "Highly recommended for the Steamed Chicken (Jjimdak). The chicken is moist and lean, a great healthy food.", "The Makguksu (Buckwheat Noodles) is refreshing and a perfect meal for summer."

Hadan

[Hansung University Station] "The flavors of a Pyeongan-do native, Mandu Jeon-gol and cold kalguksu"

Restaurant Information

• Go to Naver Map
• Go to Google Map

Restaurant Address

• 14, Seongbuk-ro 6-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
• 184m from Exit 5 of Hansung University Station on Subway Line 4

Operating Hours

• Monday 12:00 - 20:00 (Break Time 14:00 - 17:00)
• Closed on Tuesdays
• Wednesday - Sunday 12:00 - 20:00 (Break Time 14:00 - 17:00)

Main Menu

• Mandu Jeon-gol, Buckwheat Cold Kalguksu, Nokdu Jijim

Features

• It's a long-standing restaurant run for over 20 years by the owner, who is originally from Hadan, Pyeongan-do. The cool buckwheat cold kalguksu, which combines chewy noodles with beef broth and dongchimi broth, is a special dish. In winter, the mandu jeon-gol, which is cleanly boiled in clear broth, is popular and is called the Pyeongyang naengmyeon of the mandu world, subtle but unforgettable.

Reviews

• Korean Reviews: "The cold kalguksu is addictive with its subtle and refreshing taste. The clean broth of the mandu jeon-gol is also the best.", "The nokdu jijim is crispy on the outside and tastes great with its high mung bean content."
• Foreign Reviews: "Famous for Mandu Jeongol (dumpling hot pot). The broth is clean and refreshing.", "A great example of the simple, savory flavors of the North."

In Conclusion

Ibuk cuisine is more than just a meal; it's a cultural experience containing the painful history of Korea and the longing for the land of the North. Visit the Ibuk cuisine restaurants in Seoul that we introduced today and experience the special food culture of North Korean regions hidden in the subtle and deep flavors.

All information is easily accessible in your preferred language through the automatic translation feature of the durumis platform.