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Discovering Authentic Korean Home-Style Meals: 3 Must-Try Baeban Restaurants

Hello everyone! Are you craving the comforting flavors of Korean home cooking? Today, I’m excited to share my top 3 recommendations for baeban restaurants, where you can experience a delightful array of Korean side dishes, just like your mother used to make.

Baeban (백반) refers to a Korean set meal, typically consisting of rice, soup, and a variety of side dishes (banchan). It’s a staple of Korean cuisine, offering a balanced and satisfying meal at an affordable price.

You’ll find detailed information about each restaurant in the video description (check the links!). Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more delicious discoveries!

1. Hidden Gem in Euljiro: Ssambap Delight

Our first stop takes us to a hidden alleyway in Euljiro, a district known for its old-school charm. Here, we’ll indulge in a beloved Korean classic: ureong ssambap jeongsik (우렁쌈밥정식), or snail and vegetable wraps.

Imagine this: homemade kimchi, seasonal vegetable side dishes, and a generous platter of fresh leafy greens for wrapping. And of course, a comforting bowl of doenjang jjigae (된장찌개), or soybean paste stew.

But the star of the show is undoubtedly the ureong doenjang (우렁된장), a rich and savory soybean paste dip with freshwater snails. Complementing this is perfectly seasoned jeyuk bokkeum (제육볶음), or spicy stir-fried pork.

Let’s build our perfect bite! A spoonful of warm rice, a piece of succulent jeyuk bokkeum, and then…the ureong doenjang! For an extra kick, add a slice of raw garlic. It’s a flavor explosion!

Some might be hesitant about snails, especially if you’re not accustomed to eating them. But trust me, these freshwater snails have a delightful, slightly chewy texture and a savory flavor that will win you over.

My personal highlight? The gochujang jangajji (고추장아찌), or chili pepper pickles. They are seriously addictive! Just one of these with a scoop of rice is pure bliss. Pickled chili peppers with rice – simple yet divine!

Other side dishes include refreshing baechu muchim (배추무침), or seasoned cabbage, and classic kongnamul (콩나물), or seasoned soybean sprouts.

The perfect combination? Rice, jeyuk bokkeum, ureong doenjang, and a sliver of garlic, all wrapped in a fresh lettuce leaf. It’s the ultimate Korean comfort food experience. If you’re looking for a unique and flavorful Korean meal, the ureong ssambap jeongsik is a must-try!

2. Gyeongdong Market Feast: A Side Dish Paradise

Our second destination takes us to Gyeongdong Market in Cheongnyangni. Before diving into the restaurant, let’s take a stroll through this vibrant traditional market.

Gyeongdong Market has everything you can imagine – fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, homemade side dishes, and even traditional Korean medicine ingredients. It’s a true sensory overload! And because it’s a wholesale market, you can find products at much lower prices than at supermarkets.

The restaurant is located in the underground food court. It’s a truly local spot, offering an authentic glimpse into everyday Korean dining.

The menu is simple: a single, incredibly generous baeban set meal.

Let’s count the side dishes! One, two, three…eleven! And then they brought out a freshly made seasoned vegetable dish, bringing the total to twelve! All accompanied by a bowl of freshly cooked rice and a comforting bowl of mutguk (뭇국), or radish soup.

And the price for all of this? A mere 9,000 won per person (minimum order of two servings). It’s an incredible value for the amount of food you get!

But don’t let the low price fool you. The taste is anything but cheap. Each side dish is bursting with the flavors of homemade Korean cooking. The freshly cooked rice disappears in an instant!

Let’s try to eat everything at once! It’s a challenge, but worth it. The taste of the home-made kimchi is amazing. It goes perfectly with the freshly cooked rice. Oh! This really reminds me of mom’s cooking!

It’s hard to find a baeban place that can offer this many types of side dishes and tastes like your mother’s home cooking. It’s truly exceptional.

After the meal, they even serve nurungji sungnyung (누룽지 숭늉), or scorched rice tea, a warm and comforting beverage made from the crispy rice at the bottom of the pot. It’s like coming home after a long day. A truly heartwarming experience!

3. Dongdaemun’s Secret Hideout: Hidden Baeban Gem

Our final destination is a secret baeban spot tucked away in the backstreets of Dongdaemun. It’s a hidden gem, a place that feels like your own little secret.

The table is overflowing with side dishes! We have grilled sausages, seasoned sea mustard, pickled garlic, fried eggs, buchu kimchi (부추김치), or garlic chive kimchi, and seasoned bok choy. And of course, a dipping sauce for the grilled fish, a bowl of kongnamul guk (콩나물국), or soybean sprout soup, and a bowl of rice.

The highlight of this meal is definitely the grilled mackerel! Look at the size of it! Comparing to the paper cup, you can see its hugeness!

The bigger the mackerel, the fattier and more flavorful it is! I have high expectations.

The flaky flesh is bursting with delicious, savory fat, but it’s not greasy at all. Dipping it in the sauce brings back memories of my childhood lunchbox.

The seasoned sea mustard is also a delightful addition. It’s a common ingredient in Japanese cuisine as well.

And finally, we have a generous serving of osam bulgogi (오삼불고기), or spicy stir-fried squid and pork belly. The texture is fantastic! Chewy and tender, a perfect combination.

What a delicious meal! And free refills.

I hope you enjoyed my recommendations for these amazing baeban restaurants! You can find the detailed restaurant information in the description below. Thank you for watching! Please like and subscribe for more culinary adventures!

Google Search Assessment: Restaurant Location & General Assessment

To provide a comprehensive overview, let’s assess the likely search results for each area. The content above focused on areas within Seoul, Korea, known for Korean cuisine.

• Euljiro Restaurants: A Google search for “Euljiro Restaurants” will likely yield a mix of results, including trendy cafes, Korean BBQ spots, and traditional Korean restaurants. User reviews and ratings will likely be diverse, depending on the specific restaurant. Many results may be in Korean, but Google Translate can help.
• Gyeongdong Market Restaurants: Searching for “Gyeongdong Market Restaurants” will reveal numerous restaurants offering traditional Korean fare, often at budget-friendly prices. Expect a more authentic, local atmosphere. User reviews might be harder to find in English, but the overall sentiment is likely positive for those seeking genuine Korean food experiences.
• Dongdaemun Restaurants: A search for “Dongdaemun Restaurants” will result in a wide variety of dining options, reflecting the area’s diverse character. Expect a mix of Korean and international cuisines, with varying price points and ambiance. It’s important to specify the desired cuisine (e.g., “Dongdaemun Korean Food”) to narrow down the results. Again, focusing on side street locations will most likely generate the kind of hidden gems mentioned above.