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Discovering Hidden Korean Food Gems: Udon, Chicken Guts Soup, Dakdoritang & More in Seoul

Seoul, a vibrant city known for its bustling streets and trendy K-culture, also hides culinary treasures waiting to be discovered. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a gastronomic adventure to a local restaurant in Seoul where we sampled a delightful array of Korean dishes, from comforting udon to adventurous chicken guts soup and spicy dakdoritang. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with these authentic Korean flavors!

Unique Udon Dishes: A Fusion of Flavors

Our culinary journey began with udon, a Japanese noodle dish that has been wonderfully adapted into Korean cuisine. We tried two variations: Bibim Udon and Tempura Udon. The Bibim Udon was a flavorful mix of chewy noodles and spicy sauce, while the Tempura Udon featured crispy tempura that, surprisingly, tasted even better when slightly soaked in the warm broth.

What truly set their udon apart was the unique broth. It had a refreshing kick thanks to the addition of pickled radish. This unexpected ingredient elevated the soup, creating a delightful fusion of Japanese and Korean culinary styles. The noodles themselves were perfectly thick and chewy, soaking up all the flavorful broth. It reminded us of comforting highway rest stop food, but with a gourmet twist!

Rare Find: Authentic Chicken Guts Soup (Dak Naejangtang)

For the more adventurous palate, we dared to try Dak Naejangtang, or Chicken Guts Soup. This dish is a rare find in modern restaurants, often considered a 서민 음식 (commoner’s food) from older times. It was our first time encountering this dish, and it was certainly an experience!

The soup was rich and flavorful, filled with various chicken innards and a unique ingredient: chicken ‘eggs’ – unfertilized eggs still in their yolk stage! We learned that these are harvested before they fully develop into shelled eggs. The texture was unlike anything we’ve had before, a fascinating combination of yolk and egg white consistency. The key to a good Dak Naejangtang is meticulous cleaning of the innards to eliminate any off-putting smells. This restaurant clearly mastered the art, delivering a deeply flavorful and surprisingly clean-tasting soup. It felt like a true, old-school Korean delicacy and even a bit of a health food!

Spicy & Savory: Dakdoritang and Muk-eunji Dakdoritang

Moving on to spicier fare, we indulged in Dakdoritang (Spicy Braised Chicken) and its more intensely flavored cousin, Muk-eunji Dakdoritang, made with aged kimchi. The Dakdoritang was a classic, featuring tender chicken in a rich, spicy, and savory sauce. However, the Muk-eunji Dakdoritang stole the show.

The secret ingredient was 1-year aged Muk-eunji kimchi. The aged kimchi added a depth of flavor and a pleasant sourness that perfectly complemented the spicy chicken stew. It wasn’t overly salty or heavy, but refreshingly flavorful and clean. We were impressed to learn they use 13-ho sized chickens, which they believe are the perfect size for Dakdoritang, offering the best balance of tenderness and flavor compared to smaller or larger chickens.

Seasonal Delights: Gwamegi and Baekgolbaengi

To round off our Korean food adventure, we sampled some seasonal specialties. First was Gwamegi, dried saury, a winter delicacy. The Gwamegi was perfectly chewy and oily, bursting with umami flavor. We enjoyed it the traditional way, wrapped in seaweed with green onions and dipped in 초장 (vinegar-gochujang sauce) and 쌈장 (ssamjang – fermented soybean paste).

Finally, we were treated to Baekgolbaengi (Sea Snails), described as the “aristocrat of sea snails.” These were a delightful surprise. Extracting the snail meat required a bit of technique, but the reward was worth it. The Baekgolbaengi was incredibly tender and flavorful, even the 내장 (internal organs) were delicious! It was surprisingly light and packed with protein, making it a fantastic and healthy end to our feast.

Restaurant Information: [Restaurant Name] – Your Next Culinary Adventure in Seoul

While we cannot disclose the exact name of this hidden gem restaurant, we highly recommend seeking out local eateries in Seoul to experience these incredible Korean dishes for yourself. Look for restaurants that specialize in authentic Korean cuisine and don’t be afraid to try something new and adventurous!

Location: Seoul, South Korea (Local Neighborhood Restaurant)

General Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)

This culinary journey was a testament to the depth and diversity of Korean food. From comforting udon to unique soups and seasonal delicacies, Seoul’s local restaurants offer a treasure trove of flavors waiting to be explored. Venture off the beaten path and discover your own hidden Korean food gems!

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