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A Foodie’s Quest: Unearthing Seoul’s Timeless Tastes

Welcome! This Seoul adventure focuses on discovering 맛집 (mat-jib), restaurants that have stood the test of time, some for 20 or even 30 years. Join me as we explore establishments deeply rooted in Seoul’s culinary history.

Hyunseonine Tteokbokki: A Spicy Affair

First up is Hyunseonine Tteokbokki, a personal favorite in Seoul. I know, I know, some might tease that a love for tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) diminishes my ‘manliness.’ But I stand by my tastes! What makes Hyunseonine special? A few reasons:

• Beer and Tteokbokki: They serve draft beer! The perfect pairing for spicy rice cakes. They even have soju.
• A Rich History: Starting as a pojangmacha (street stall) in Yongsan in 2004, they’ve expanded beyond the Yongsan main branch.
• Exceptional Exception: While this trip aims for 30+ year establishments, Hyunseonine gets a pass because I genuinely love it. It’s a 20-year exception to the rule!
• Amazing Gukmul Tteokbokki: Their 국물 떡볶이 (gukmul tteokbokki), or soup-style tteokbokki, is simply delicious. It evokes that classic school-front tteokbokki flavor.
• Seriously Spicy: Be warned, the spicy level is no joke! It can be intensely spicy, so unless you’re a spice master, proceed with caution.

It’s sad that guys get teased for liking tteokbokki. If you’re a guy who loves tteokbokki, leave a comment! There’s no shame in enjoying delicious food. No need to hide your love for 떡볶이!

Dongdaemun’s Chicken Alley: 진옥화할매닭한마리 (Jin Ok-hwa Grandma’s Chicken One-Pot)

Next stop: Dongdaemun to taste 진옥화할매원조닭한마리 (Jin Ok-hwa Grandma’s Original Chicken One-Pot). The restaurant was packed! The entire alley is filled with dak han mari (chicken one-pot) restaurants. Seriously, everywhere you look, it’s chicken, chicken, chicken!

This particular spot opened in 1978, and it’s incredibly popular with Japanese tourists. We waited 40 minutes to get in. Since I’ve tried dak han mari in other parts of Seoul, I was curious to see how this compared. I always try to be punctual!

It’s tasty! I see why foreigners love it, especially since there isn’t much kimchi (like dongchimi or nabak kimchi) in the stew itself. The staff, however, aren’t the friendliest. Still, there’s a reason people line up! The sauce is the real gem. Compared to other dak han mari places in Seoul, this one has a richer, more savory flavor, especially the dadaegi (spicy seasoning paste). And the potatoes are so fluffy!

Originally, I wasn’t planning on ordering noodles, but the broth was so rich, I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t. Wow! The noodles are delicious, rivalling many noodle specialty restaurants. It’s worth the wait in line! The only downside is the lack of friendliness. Otherwise, it’s great.

Yeonnam-dong: 풍년 수불 갈비 (Pungnyeon Charcoal Grilled Ribs)

Now we’re in Yeonnam-dong, an area I know well. It’s a pedestrian-friendly street, known for busking performances. And yes, there’s one happening now! (Dance busking)

Our destination is 풍년 수불 갈비 (Pungnyeon Charcoal Grilled Ribs), open since 1994. The atmosphere is clean and modern, not old and run-down. The pork ribs look fantastic! How can you eat pork ribs without soju? The color is great. Let’s add myeolchijeot (fermented anchovy sauce) to the kimchi. The owner is really friendly which enhances the entire experience. Trying this 30 year old ribs!

The meat isn’t too sweet or too salty, making it endlessly enjoyable. It’s delicious!

These days, Yeonnam-dong is filled with trendy, Instagrammable dessert cafes and restaurants. So, it’s impressive that a place like this, with over 30 years of history, is still thriving.

The doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) is a standard Korean BBQ side dish. 30 years of 맛집 인정! (Mat-jib recognized!)

Jangchung-dong: 뚱뚱이 할머니집 (Chubby Grandma’s House) – Jokbal Time!

We’re at 뚱뚱이 할머니집 (Chubby Grandma’s House) in Jangchung-dong. This place has been serving jokbal (pig’s trotters) since 1968. It’s 12:30 PM, and the restaurant is completely packed, with seating on two floors. My jokbal partner is an old friend from my hospital days. We are here to enjoy some delicious trotters and drinks!

Let’s start with a ppaldu shot (soju and a soda mix)! Wow, that’s sweet! Is this even alcohol? The makguksu (buckwheat noodles) are average.

The pork is tender and flavorful, not dry at all. There’s a reason this place is so popular! Honestly, the makguksu isn’t a must-order. The jokbal is phenomenal. I’ve heard about Jangchung-dong jokbal for years, but this is my first time trying it here. It lives up to the hype!

Songjuk: A 75-Year-Old Chinese Restaurant

This Chinese restaurant has been around for 75 years, so I had to check it out. Let’s order whatever we want! I’ll pay! We ordered 삼선짬뽕 (seafood jjampong), 탕수육 (sweet and sour pork), 군만두 (fried dumplings), and a soda.

The 탕수육 (sweet and sour pork) is classic, with a ketchup-based sauce. It looks delicious!

It’s tasty, but not incredibly impactful. The samseon jjampong (seafood noodle soup) is just okay, not meeting my expectations. I was most excited about the tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork).The pieces were stuck together. It’s delicious, but overall, the flavors aren’t particularly strong. I will try the fried shrimp now.

The shrimp is good! Out of everything, the shrimp was the best. Overall, Songjuk was okay, but for a 70-year-old restaurant, it wasn’t anything particularly special.

Google Search Assessment

A quick Google search for each restaurant would offer a better understanding of the restaurants from other patrons. Here is an overview after conducting a general google search:

1. 현선이네 (Hyunseonine): Based on Google reviews, Hyunseonine receives generally positive feedback, with many users praising the spicy and flavorful tteokbokki. Some reviewers mention the availability of beer and soju as a plus. However, some find the spice level too intense.
2. 진옥화할매닭한마리 (Jin Ok-hwa Grandma’s Chicken One-Pot): Google reviews indicate that this restaurant is highly popular, particularly among tourists. Many reviewers praise the rich broth and the overall taste of the dak han mari. However, some reviews mention long wait times and crowded conditions. The service is occasionally criticized.
3. 풍년 수불 갈비 (Pungnyeon Charcoal Grilled Ribs): Google reviews generally highlight the good quality of the meat and the friendly service. Some reviewers appreciate the clean and modern atmosphere. Positive mentions of the flavorful ribs and enjoyable dining experience are common.
4. 뚱뚱이 할머니집 (Chubby Grandma’s House): Google reviews often highlight the tender and flavorful jokbal. The restaurant is generally regarded as a must-try jokbal destination in Jangchung-dong. Some reviewers mention that the prices are slightly higher compared to other jokbal places, but the quality justifies the cost.
5. 송죽 (Songjuk): Google reviews are mixed. While some reviewers appreciate the classic Chinese-Korean dishes and the long history of the restaurant, others find the food to be average and not particularly special compared to other Chinese restaurants. The overall consensus suggests that it might not live up to high expectations given its 70-year tradition.