Soul of Korea: Culture, Nature, and Adventure: October 2024

Chuncheonjip Dakgalbi Makguksu (춘천집닭갈비막국수)

- Tel
+82-2-325-2361

Located near Shinchon station, Chuncheonjip Dakgalbi Makguksu’s most popular dish is Dakgalbi, which is prepared by marinating boneless chicken in spicy red pepper paste and stir-frying it with various ingredients in a large cast iron pan. Patrons have the option to ppyeo eomneun dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried boneless chicken), cheese dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken and cheese), and maeundakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) as preferred. For an extra tasty treat, one can add an assortment of noodles and vegetables to the chicken as it cooks. After fhinishing the chicken, ordering rice to stir-fry in the pan to soak up the extra flavorful sauce is a must-try.

- Address : 1, Yonsei-ro 5ga-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
- Main Dish
Ppyeo eomneun dakgalbi (Spicy stir-fried boneless chicken)

- Information and Guides
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-507-1303-2361

- Menu
Cheese dakgalbi (Spicy stir-fried chicken and cheese), Maeundakgalbi (Spicy stir-fried chicken), Jaengban guksu (Jumbo sized buckwheat noodles)

- Opening Hours
11:00-23:00 (Break time 15:30-17:00)

- Parking
Available

- Reservation Information
Phone-reservation (+82-2-325-2361)

- Day Off
N/A (Open all year round)

- Smoking Area
Non-Smoking

- Restrooms
Gender-separated restrooms are located inside of the restaurant.

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Dakbalmeogeun Saeu Sinchon Direct(닭발먹은새우 신촌직영)

- Tel
+82-70-8977-7000

This is a place that sells chicken feet with adjustable spice levels. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is chicken feet.

⊙ Sinchon World Youth Festival (신촌글로벌대학문화축제)

- Homepage
www.swyft.kr

- Tel
+82-2-330-6714

The Sinchon World Youth Festival celebrates the identity of global university culture and is a representative festival in the Seodaemun District. The festival features a range of programs and events where visitors can feel the youthful vibe.

⊙ Miigwech - Sinchon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (미그웨치 신촌)

⊙ Nature Collection - Sinchon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (네이처컬렉션 신촌)

⊙ Nolbu Budaejjigae Bwipye Sinchon(놀부부대찌개뷔폐 신촌)

- Tel
+82-2-325-8492

This is a house where you can have all the Budaejjigae (spicy sausage stew) you can eat. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is sausage stew.

⊙ Golden Dew - Hyundai Sinchon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (골든듀 현대신촌)

⊙ Kumkang Shoes - Hyundai Sinchon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (KK현대신촌(금강 금강제화))

⊙ Bice - Hyundai Sinchon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (비체 현대 신촌점)

⊙ Stonehenge - Hyundai Sinchon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (스톤헨지 현대 신촌점)

This work was created by the Korea Tourism Organization for 24 years and opened as the first type of public Nuri. You can download it for free from the Korea Tourism Organization, https://kto.visitkorea.or.kr/eng.kto

Seoul Bakery (서울제빵소 올림픽본점)

- Homepage
www.instagram.com/seoulbakery__

This bakery cafe is located on the second floor of a commercial wing attached to the Olympic Village Apartments, located across from Olympic Park’s Rose Plaza. The spacious cafe features naturally fermented bread made with organic flour and seats looking out the window. The interior is modern and open, with plenty of seats for long stays. Naturally fermented bread here includes Hongguk rice bread, salt bread, and cream cheese and fig bread. Bread is baked from 08:00 to midday. Visitors can find a timetable for the different kinds of bread served in this cafe in order to make plans in advance to get freshly-baked bread.

- Address : 1178 Yangjae-daero, Songpa-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
- Main Dish
Hongguk Rice Bread, Salt Bread

- Information and Guides
+82-507-1357-4665

- Menu
Potato Volcano

- Opening Hours
09:00-20:30

- Parking
Available

- Day Off
N/A (Open all year round)

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Byeokje Galbi Bangi(벽제갈비(방이본점))

- Tel
+82-2-415-5522

Byeokje Galbi is a restaurant serving top-quality hanu (Korean beef). One can enjoy a variety of cuts sourced from the finest hanu (Korean beef), such as deungsim (sirloin), galbi, and sagol (beef bone). The signature menus of Byeokje Galbi are Seol-hwa Saeng Galbi (Diamond cut Hanwoo rib) and Seol-hwa Kkot Deungsim (Hanwoo rib eye). The menu also includes naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) dishes, seolleongtang (ox bone soup), and Hanwoo Kkoritang (Artisanal Hanwoo tail soup). The restaurant was notably included in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2023.

⊙ Bongpiyang(봉피양)

- Tel
+82-2-415-5527

It is a 2021 Michelin Guide restaurant. The best menu at this restaurant is Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

⊙ Bongpiyang (Bangi Branch) (봉피양 방이점)

- Homepage
http://www.bjgalbi.com

Bongpiyang is an upscale restaurant serving dwaeji galbi gui (grilled pork galbi) near the Olympic Park. Its signature menus include the Pyeongyang naengmyeon (Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles), dwaeji galbi (grilled pork galbi), and hanu tteokgalbi (grilled Korean beef galbi patties). Bongpiyang’s dwaeji galbi (grilled pork galbi) uses medicinal herbs, licorice, and thin yeot (malt candy) for sweetness. The broth for Pyeongyang naengmyeon (Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles) is made every early morning using hanu (Korean beef) and other ingredients, and the restaurant also prepares its buckwheat noodles in-house as well.

⊙ Bongpiyang (봉피양)

- Homepage
www.ibjgalbi.com (Korean only)

- Tel
+82-2-415-5527

Operated by Byeokje Galbi restaurant, Bongpiyang (Bangi Branch) is the main store, featuring Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) and dwaejigalbi (pork ribs). In particular, the combinations of deep meat broth and high-purity buckwheat noodles give a great taste.

⊙ Obaltan - Songpa Branch (오발탄 송파)

- Tel
+82-2-404-0090

This is a house where you can eat charcoal-grilled Daechang (roasted intestine meat). This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is grilled beef large intestine.

⊙ Ogeum Park (오금공원)

- Homepage
parks.seoul.go.kr

Ogeum Park is a park created by cultivating a mountain with an altitude of 200 meters, providing a panoramic view of Seoul's Songpa district. The park features walking trail, various exercise equipment, and facilities such as badminton and tennis courts. The lawn bowling court is available for use by reservation. There is a toddler forest experience ground and an adventure playground for children, offering activities like rope climbing, rock climbing, net climbing, slides, and spider web climbing.

⊙ Seoul Baekje Museum (한성백제박물관)

- Homepage
baekjemuseum.seoul.go.kr

- Tel
+82-2-2152-5800

Opened on April 30, 2012, Seoul Baekje Museum was founded by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in order to preserve artifacts related to Seoul's 2,000-year-old history and to shed light on Seoul's cultural identity. The museum is located inside Olympic Park, overlooking Mongchontoseong Fortress.

⊙ Chungmuro Busan Bokjip (충무로 부산복집)

- Homepage
busanbok.dothome.co.kr (Korean only)

- Tel
+82-2-404-3227

Chungmuro Busan Bokjip is a puffer fish cuisine restaurant situated near Ogeum Park and Olympic Park. The signature menu is the jajubong maeuntang (spicy tiger puffer fish stew), offering a flavorful and refreshing broth made with fresh puffer fish, green onions, radishes, and kelp. Another popular dish is the spicy and sweet bulgogi with fresh puffer fish. Additionally, the bogeo shabu-shabu (puffer fish shabu-shabu) allows diners to enjoy fresh vegetables and puffer fish cooked at the table. Nearby attractions include Seokchonhosu Lake and Lotte World.

⊙ Seoul Jazz Festival (SJF) (서울재즈페스티벌)

- Homepage
www.seouljazz.co.kr

- Tel
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-563-0595

In the wide grass field of Olympic Park in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Asia's top jazz festival, the Seoul Jazz Festival is held. Every May, world-famous artists come to entertain visitors during the festival.

Bonjuk City Air Tower (본죽 도심공항타워점)

- Tel
+82-2-2016-7477

Bonjuk is a restaurant serving juk (porridge). Juk (porridge) is often enjoyed as a breakfast, hospital food, and snacks, thanks to it being nutritious and easy to digest. One can find sogogi yachae juk (Beef and vegetable porridge), sweet danhobak juk (pumpkin porridge), jeonbok juk (abalone porridge), nakji kimchi juk (octopus and kimchi porridge), chamchi yachae juk (tuna and vegetable porridge), dakgogi juk (ginseng with chicken porridge), and nokdu juk (sweet green beans porridge). Because this branch of Bonjuk is located on the first underground floor of the City Air Tower at Samseong Station, one can easily reach the restaurant from the Coex Mall.

- Address : (City Air Tower), 36, Teheran-ro 87-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
- Main Dish
Sogogi yachae juk (Beef and vegetable porridge)

- Information and Guides
+82-2-2016-7477

- Menu
Danhobak juk (Pumpkin porridge), Jeonbok juk (Abalone porridge), Nakji kimchi juk (Octopus and kimchi porridge)

- Opening Hours
Monday-Friday 10:00-21:00 / Saturdays, Sundays 10:30-20:30 (break 15:00-16:00)

- Parking
Available

- Day Off
N/A (Open all year round)

- Smoking Area
Non-smoking

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ National Geographic - Starfield Coex Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (내셔널지오그래픽 스타필드코엑스)

- Homepage
natgeokorea.com

-

⊙ Clue - COEX Branch (클루 (코엑스점))

- Homepage
www.clue.co.kr

- Tel
+82-2-6002-3330

Clue specializes in women’s accessories with its focus on fashion jewelry accessories made of gemstones and crystals, popular among women. The store has a unique interior design and is equipped with an extensive lighting system. It boasts gemstone accessories at inexpensive prices, attracting many loyal female customers.

⊙ Haneol Craft (한얼공예)

- Tel
+82-2-6002-6772

Haneol Craft is the only store in the COEX Mall specializing in traditional Korean handmade crafts. It sells and exhibits colorful Hahoe masks (traditional Korean masks) and traditional Korean crafts, attracting many visitors.

⊙ Will Spa (윌스파)

- Homepage
willspa.co.kr (Korean only)

- Tel
+82-2-3466-8100

Willspa operates 24 hours in the Gangnam area, featuring luxurious spa that is equipped with suitable size, facility, and programs for foreign visitors’ taste.

⊙ Heukdonga Samseong (흑돈가 삼성)

- Tel
+82-2-2051-0008

Heukdonga Samseong is a restaurant near COEX that serves Jeju-style dwaeji gui (grilled pork). The pork served here is Jeju heukdwaeji (Jeju black pork), cut into thick slices, charcoal-grilled, and either dipped into myeolchijeot (salted anchovies) or eaten with kkaennip jangajji (pickled perilla leaves). The grilling process drains the excess fat from the meat and imbues it with the scent of charcoal. Other menu items include sodeungsim jumulleok (stir-fried marinated sirloin) and naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles).

⊙ SEVEN LUCK CASINO - Gangnam COEX Branch (세븐럭카지노(강남코엑스점))

- Homepage
www.7luck.com/

- Tel
+82-2-3466-6000

The Gangnam COEX branch of Seven Luck Casino is a Korean-style casino with an oriental atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities. A total area of 6,093.57㎡ houses 82 table games and 121 of the latest machine games. Visitors can enjoy a great variety of gaming options such as Blackjack, Baccarat, Tai-sai, Roulette, Caribbean Poker, and slot machines. With its convenient location in the central Gangnam area, the casino also makes for an ideal place to sightsee and shop.

⊙ Timhowan Samseong Branch (팀호완 삼성점)

- Homepage
https://www.instagram.com/timhowan_korea/

Timhowan is a specialized Chinese restaurant focusing on dim sum, located near Gangnam COEX. It has been selected by the Michelin Guide. Its signature dim sum includes the fresh shrimp-made har gow (shrimp dumplings), along with char siu bao bun (baked BBQ pork buns), shaomai (pork & shrimp dumplings), sacheonsik wantang (pork dumplings in hout & spicy sauce), and buchaegyo (spinach dumplings with shrimp). Additionally, there are dishes like sacheonsik wantang bibimmyeon (pork & shrimp dumpling in hout & spicy noodle), dakgogi beoseot jjim (chicken, cordycep flower & mushroom), Hong Kongsik tangsugi (sweet & sour fried chicken), cheonggyeongchae (poached fresh bok choy), and gongsimchae (seasonal vegetable). Nearby attractions include COEX, Bongeunsa Temple, and Seonjeongneung Royal Tomb.

Soonheenae Bindaetteok (순희네빈대떡)

- Homepage
http://xn--vk1bx3c2yl.kr

- Tel
+82-2-2264-5057

Soonheenae Bindaetteok is a stall located in Gwangjang Market known for its mung bean pancakes and meatballs. Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) is a dish made by grinding mung beans and mixing them with kimchi, bracken, and ground pork, then flattening and frying the mixture. Here, they grind mung beans on a millstone and fry the bindaetteok on the spot, resulting in a crispy and savory taste. The secret soy sauce dip complements the bindaetteok perfectly. Situated within the traditional market, the atmosphere is lively.

- Address : 5 Jong-ro 32-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
- Main Dish
Nokdu bindaetteok (Mung bean pancake)

- Information and Guides
+82-2-2264-5057

- Menu
Gogi wanja (Meatballs), Yukhoe tangtangi (Chopped live octopus and beef tartare)

- Opening Hours
09:00-21:00 (Last order 20:30)

- Parking
Not available

- Reservation Information
전화 예약 문의 (02-2268-3344)

- Day Off
N/A (Open all year round)

- Smoking Area
모두 금연석

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Buchon Yukhoe (부촌육회)

- Homepage
https://bcyukhoe.modoo.at/

Buchon Yukhoe is a renowned restaurant located in Gwangjang Market's Beef Tartare Street, selected by the Michelin Guide in 2023. It specializes in yukhoe (beef tartare), a Korean-style raw beef dish marinated with sesame oil and pear. The restaurant uses fresh Korean beef supplied daily, ensuring a delightful and nutty flavor. The simple seasoning enhances the natural taste of the ingredients, and the yolk-topped yukhoe adds visual appeal to the dish.

⊙ Uke. Zamezip (육회자매집)

- Homepage
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/uke.zamezip"_blank">https://www.instagram.com/uke.zamezip</a>

This restaurant is located in a corner of Gwangjang Market's alley, and its main menu is Yukhoe/Beef Tartare (raw beef made by cutting small pieces of beef with various seasonings). The lightness of raw meat, which cannot be found in grilled meat, and the harmony with the seasoning are impressive. If you eat it with egg yolk, sprouts, and pears served together, you can feel the depth of the true taste of raw meat. If you want to try something a little more Korean-style, try 'Yuktangi,' which comes with Tangtangi (a dish made by pounding wild octopus on a cutting board and cutting it into pieces) and Yukhoe. However, the octopus Yuktangi moves around when the food is served, so you must be careful.

⊙ Buchon Yukhoe (부촌육회)

- Homepage
bcyukhoe.modoo.at (Korean only)

- Tel
+82-2-2267-1831

This 2020 Michelin Guide restaurant has been around for three generations already. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is beef tartare.

⊙ Uga Yukhoe Bulgogi (우가육회불고기)

- Tel
+82-2-2286-6656

This Korean cuisine is located near Jongno 5(o)ga Station, Seoul. It is located at Yukhoe Alley in Gwangjang Market, one of Korea’s representative traditional markets. The representative menu is sliced raw beef.

⊙ Eunseong Hoejip (은성회집)

- Tel
+82-2-2267-6813

You can enjoy Daegu maeuntang (fish stew), which is perfect for hangover. This restaurant's signature menu is sicy codfish stew. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

⊙ Gwangjang Market (광장시장)

- Homepage
www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr
jkm.or.kr

- Tel
+82-2-2267-0291

Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today. The name Gwangjang means "to gather from afar and keep altogether." The market began as a small trading center that brought in goods from nearby regions, but has now grown into a large wholesale market selling a variety of goods, including upholstery, imported goods, groceries, dried fish, traditional goods, and more. The most popular section of the market is the food street connected to the East Gate, North Gate 2, and South Gate 1. The food street caters to a wide range of patrons due to the plethora of menus available. It is also one of the most recommended tourist attraction for international travelers.

⊙ Yeonji-dong Sundubu (연지동순두부)

- Tel
+82-2-762-0593

This place sells a variety of soft tofu dishes. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is seafood and soft bean curd stew.

⊙ Doosan Art Center (두산아트센터)

- Homepage
www.doosanartcenter.com

- Tel
+82-2-708-5001

Doosan Art Center, which opened on October 1, 2007, is structured around three different spaces: The Yonkang Hall, exclusively designed for musical performances, Space 111, a “space for art incubation,” and the Doosan Gallery, built for installations.

The Yongang Hall, a theater with 620-person seating capacity, has specially designed lightings and a world-class audio-visual system to provide a second-to-none sensory experience.

Space 111 can accommodate a broad range of performing arts, from theater and dance to film and music concerts. The Doosan Gallery is open to the public, and art exhibitions and performances here can be enjoyed free of charge.

All three theaters include spacious lobbies with handicapped access, designated seating for parents with infants, and meeting areas. Rest rooms are also available nearby, in order to avoid long queues and long walks during intermission.

⊙ CheongKwanJang - Jongno 4(sa)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 종로4가)

Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자)

- Homepage
www.mdkj.co.kr

- Tel
+82-2-776-5348

Since 1970, Myeongdong Kyoja has been a staple in Myeongdong for its kalguksu (noodle soup), believed to be the progenitor of the Myeongdong-style kalguksu known for its rich broth and delicious gyoja (mandu). The restaurant's hallmark dish, kalguksu, features handmade noodles served in a deep, flavorful broth. In addition to its famous noodle soup, other beloved dishes include mandu and bibim guksu (spicy noodles).

- Address : 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Myeong-dong 2-ga)

※ Presentation Information
- Main Dish
Kalguksu (Noodle soup)

- Information and Guides
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-507-1366-5348

- Menu
Mandu, Bibim guksu (Spicy noodles)

- Opening Hours
10:30-21:00

- Day Off
N/A (Open all year round)

- Smoking Area
Non-smoking only

- Restrooms
Available (Separated by gender / located within the restaurant)

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Innisfree - Myeong-dong 2(i)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 명동2가점)

⊙ Hwanggeum Mokjang Myeongdongseongdang (황금목장 명동성당)

- Homepage
https://mgoldfarm.modoo.at/

- Tel
+82-2-318-2426

Located in Myeongdong, Hwanggeum Mokjang Myeongdongseongdang is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Myeongdong. It is a popular place for locals and tourists alike as it serves high-quality beef and pork barbecued in the Korean style. Other dishes such as samgye tang (ginseng chicken soup), bulgogi, naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), and many other dishes are also a must-try.

⊙ THE SIC-DDANG - Myeongdong Branch (더식당 명동)

- Tel
+82-2-318-2234

A store where you can enjoy both Korean and Western dishes as a restaurant frequently featured in Korean gourmet programs. The best menu at this restaurant is lobster. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

⊙ Gomgukshijip - Myeongdong Branch (곰국시집 명동)

- Tel
+82-2-756-3449

Near both Myeong-dong Station and Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station, Gomkuksizib has been cooking the best noodle dishes in town for more than 40 years. Ever since its opened in 1976, the restaurant has continued the tradition of serving delicious guksu jeongol and gomkuksi. Charbroiled premium hanu Korean beef is another famous dish popular among the neigberhood’s office workers. Gomkuksizib also added grilled Wagyu to the menu for a milder taste in order to appeal to the growing number of foreign visitors.

⊙ Hongsugye Jjimdak(홍수계찜닭)

- Tel
+82-2-772-9389

This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. A store selling Korean-style dishes of chicken with soy sauce. The representative menu is braised chicken.

⊙ Myeongdong Mudeungsan Jeongyuk Sikdang (명동무등산정육식당)

- Tel
+82-2-752-9292

It is a beef restaurant that serves dinner but also sells meals as special lunch menus. This restaurant's signature menu is marinated grilled ribs. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

⊙ Gang Ho Dong BAEKJEONG Myeongdong(강호동백정 명동)

- Tel
+82-2-777-6780

A Korean BBQ restaurant. The best menu at this restaurant is grilled skin-on pork belly. This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeongdong Cathedral, Seoul.

⊙ Seoul Global Cultural Center (서울글로벌문화체험센터)

- Homepage
www.seoulculturalcenter.kr
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

- Tel
+82-2-3789-7961~3

Seoul Global Cultural Center is located in the heart of Myeong-dong, Seoul's major shopping district. It is more than
just an information center. It is an inviting space for global cultural exchange between residents and visitors.

The center not only
offers information in English, Chinese, and Japanese, but also facilities
such as free internet and coin-operated lockers. Moreover, the center regularly hosts cultural programs.

⊙ OPPADAK Myeong-dong2jungang(오븐에빠진닭 명동2중앙)

- Tel
+82-2-2292-5892

This is a house where you can eat oven-baked chicken. This restaurant's signature menu is fried chicken. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.