[Seoul Restaurant Tour] Trustworthy Seong Si-kyung's 'Seong-chelin' Restaurant Guide!

Hello! Welcome to the special feature of the 'Delicious Stations' series, the 'Sung Si-kyung's Mukbalmyeon' Gourmet Road.

We've gathered only the verified restaurants introduced on singer Sung Si-kyung's YouTube channel [Mukbalmyeon], who is a gourmet and known as the 'Gukbap Minister'. Hidden gem restaurants have been re-spotlighted through his honest and accurate reviews.

In this first episode, from Xiao Long Bao to Sundae Guk, we introduce 5 old and neighborhood restaurants in Seoul that Sung Si-kyung has recognized as 'real restaurants'.

Characteristics of Sung Si-kyung's Pick: 'Local & Value for Money'

Rather than flashy interiors or trendiness, Sung Si-kyung's recommended restaurants focus on 'overwhelming taste' and 'the artisan's touch that has been honed over a long time'. Restaurants with good value for money and generous portions, which have been consistently loved by office workers and local residents, are the main focus.

Sung Si-kyung's Mukbalmyeon Gourmet Road Episode 1

Xiao Long Bao (Jayang-dong)

[Jayang-dong] "It's not just Xiao Long Bao! A Chinese home-style dumpling restaurant with a strong local feel"

Restaurant Address

• 1st Floor, 20 Jayangbeonyeong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
• 912m from Exit 1 of Jayang Station, Subway Line 7

Business Hours

• Closed every Monday
• Tuesday - Sunday 11:00 - 22:00

Main Menu

• Meat and Shrimp Jijim Mandu, Eggplant Tangsu, Sesame Sauce Noodles

Features

• Although it's a dumpling restaurant, Sung Si-kyung praised the Meat and Shrimp Jijim Mandu, which boasts a crispy exterior and juicy broth, and the Eggplant Tangsu that calls for beer. As a neighborhood restaurant with a local feel, various Chinese stir-fried dishes are also popular as side dishes for alcohol.

Review Reactions

• Korean reactions: "The eggplant tangsu is truly artistic. It's soft and melts in your mouth.", "The dumplings are filled with broth, making it the perfect combination with refreshing Tsingtao beer."
• Foreigner reactions: "Authentic regional Chinese cuisine. The fried dumplings (Jijim-mandu) are juicy and crispy.", "The Sweet and Sour Eggplant (Gaji Tangsu) is a delicious surprise. A great local experience."

Sandong Gyoja (Myeongdong)

[Myeongdong] "The signature of a Chinese old restaurant that has been in Myeongdong since 1978, Ohyang Jangyuk"

Restaurant Address

• 52-13 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 334m from Exit 5 of Myeongdong Station, Subway Line 4

Business Hours

• Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 21:20 (15:30 - 17:00 Break Time)
• Closed on Sundays

Main Menu

• Ohyang Jangyuk, Mulmandu (Mulgyoja)

Features

• It is Sung Si-kyung's long-time favorite restaurant, a traditional Chinese restaurant run by a Chinese person. Ohyang Jangyuk, a cold dish made with the brisket part in a flavorful sauce, is the symbol of this restaurant. The combination of thinly sliced meat, green onions, and chives is a strongly recommended side dish for alcohol by Sung Si-kyung.

Review Reactions

• Korean reactions: "The unchanging taste of an old restaurant. Ohyang Jangyuk is the best side dish for soju.", "The frying skills are excellent, so the fried dishes are also delicious. A place that goes well with strong alcohol instead of beer."
• Foreigner reactions: "Old school Chinese restaurant. The cold sliced beef (Ohyang Jangyuk) is savory and unique.", "Simple, unpretentious food. A great local spot near the Chinese Embassy."

Seogung (Yeouido)

[Yeouido] "Soul food for office workers in Yeouido, a Chinese old restaurant with a rough but deep taste"

Restaurant Address

• B1, Lotte Castle Ivey, 86 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
• 382m from Exit 2 of Saetgang Station, Subway Line 9

Business Hours

• Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 22:00 (15:00 - 16:30 Break Time)
• Closed on Sundays

Main Menu

• Fried Rice, Ohyang Jangyuk, Jjajangmyeon

Features

• It is a representative Chinese restaurant in Yeouido that also appeared on Baek Jong-won's 3 Great Emperors. The fried rice in this restaurant is characterized by the fact that the jjajang sauce is not served separately unlike other general Chinese restaurants. It competes with fluffy fried rice with live rice grains and refreshing broth, and Ohyang Jangyuk is also famous here.

Review Reactions

• Korean reactions: "The fluffy fried rice, which is delicious even without jjajang sauce, is exquisite.", "It is a famous old restaurant as famous as Sundae Guk, so only meals are sold during busy lunch hours."
• Foreigner reactions: "A famous local Chinese place in the financial district. The fried rice is simple but flavorful.", "Fast service for a quick lunch. Good quality for the busy area."

Hampyeong Gukbap (Sangbong)

[Sangbong Station] "Deep and rich broth! The standard of Gukbap with plenty of Ugeo-ji"

Restaurant Address

• Hampyeong Gukbap, 73 Bongu-ro 33-gil, Jungnang-gu, Seoul
• 358m from Exit 3 of Sangbong Station, Subway Line 7

Business Hours

• Monday - Saturday 16:00 - 24:00
• Closed on Sundays

Main Menu

• Ugeo-ji Gukbap, Yukhoe/Yuksaesimi

Features

• The representative menu is the spicy and warm Ugeo-ji Gukbap. Sung Si-kyung expressed his satisfaction with the generous amount of Ugeo-ji and meat. It is good to enjoy Gukbap with alcohol in a lively atmosphere as it is open until late at night. For reference, Ugeo-ji Gukbap cannot be packed, so you must eat it on the spot.

Review Reactions

• Korean reactions: "There's a lot of Ugeo-ji, so it's filling and refreshing. Yukhoe or Yuksaesimi is also fresh.", "It is open until late, so it is good to have a shot of soju with Gukbap for a second round."
• Foreigner reactions: "The best late-night spot for Korean beef soup (Gukbap). Very hearty and authentic local atmosphere.", "The beef soup with dried cabbage (Ugeoji) is rich and deeply flavored."

Matjoheun Sundae Guk (Jayang-dong)

[Jayang-dong] "Jayang-dong's 1st tier Sundae Guk! Generous head meat in a milky broth without any off-flavors"

Restaurant Address

• 22 Jayangbeonyeong-ro 1-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
• 685m from Exit 1 of Jayang Station, Subway Line 7

Business Hours

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

Main Menu

• Sundae Gukbap, Head Meat Suyuk

Features

• It is an old restaurant that Sung Si-kyung praised as 'Jayang-dong's 1st tier Sundae Guk'. There is absolutely no off-flavor in the milky and rich broth, and there are a lot of offal and head meat than sundae. Sung Si-kyung especially recommended the head meat suyuk served with Sundae Guk.

Review Reactions

• Korean reactions: "There's a lot of meat in the milky broth. Even people who are sensitive to off-flavors can enjoy it.", "The head meat suyuk is soft and chewy, so it's a fantastic combination when ordered with Sundae Guk."
• Foreigner reactions: "Fantastic local Sundaeguk (blood sausage soup). The broth is creamy and the meat pieces are generous.", "A great spot to try local Korean 'soul food'. Friendly staff and cozy, small shop atmosphere."

In the 2nd episode of Sung Si-kyung's 'Sung-chelin' restaurant guide that you can trust and eat, we will introduce more diverse restaurants with the theme of **'hidden treasures of Seoul'**. Please look forward to it!