Hadongkwan is a traditional Korean restaurant in Myeongdong that serves only two items on their menu—Gomtang (thick beef bone soup) and Suyuk (boiled beef or pork slices).

Having been around for 80 years, Hadongkwan has made a name for itself among locals and tourists who love to drop by for a comforting bowl of Gomtang, especially during winter. Only the highest grade of ingredients are used and no artificial flavourings are added to their food.

If you are looking for a light and nutritious breakfast or lunch option at Myeongdong street, Hadongkwan is where you should go to. 

Originally located in a back alley near Cheonggye Stream when they first started out, the restaurant was demolished due to redevelopment initiatives and it has since moved to central Myeongdong.

Despite scaling up, Hadongkwan has retained its original wooden signboard, doors and furniture so long time customers still feel that sense of nostalgia.

Their signature dish is the Regular Gomtang (W12,000), which is Korean beef soup with rice. The light, yet flavourful soup is the result of boiling beef and radish for hours and only using natural ingredients. We enjoyed the clean soup tremendously and it was made better with savoury beef slices.

For those who find it too light to their liking, add some fresh spring onion and salt into the soup. All diners are given radish kimchi as sides as well to spice up their meal.

Looking for something better? You have to go for their Special Gomtang (W15,000) instead. On top of beef slices and rice, diners are also treated to a generous portion of tripe as well—what you get is a variety of textures from the soft rice, tender beef and chewy tripe slices.

The best part about Hadongkwan is that the restaurant offers free soup refills, so do not be shy about asking for more soup from the friendly waitresses!

Hadongkwan
12, Myeongdong 9-gil
Jung-gu, Seoul
Daily: 7am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Euljiro il-ga

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s features to discover the best things to see, do and eat in the city.

KyoChon has the best fried chicken in Seoul, South Korea. There, we’ve said it. There is no lack of Korean fried chicken restaurants in Seoul, but KyoChon’s rendition is head and shoulders above the rest.

KyoChon offers its Korean fried chicken in several flavours—Garlic Soy Series, Honey Series, and Red Series (Red Pepper). Do not leave Seoul without having KyoChon’s Korean Fried Chicken.

We visited one of KyoChon outlets in the Hongdae district. Unlike other older KyoChon outlets which are a lot more casual, it impressed us with a modern and sleek setting.

“Kyo” translates to wisdom and enlightenment and “Chon” means village. KyoChon was created to remind the brand’s founder of home and the amazing fried chicken he used to have. The one thing that sets Kyochon apart from many other fried chicken joints, is the fact that they use only natural ingredients.

This means that their chickens are not injected with hormones and only canola oil is used to fry the chicken. No trans fat or MSG, just simple and fuss-free chicken that is oh-so-good!

The menu was extremely straightforward and we went right for the Garlic Soy option. You can choose from different serving types, including—Whole Chicken (W16,000), Sticks [Drumlets] (W18,000), Wings & Drummettes (W18,000) and Combination (W18,000).

We had the Combination platter to have a go at the different chicken types. All we can say is, “Wow!”

It was probably the most satisfying fried chicken experience we ever had in our entire lives. From the crispy exterior to the evenly coated sauce and tender meat, KyoChon has created THE perfect fried chicken. Honestly, we were probably too appalled by how good it was that we gobbled the entire platter up within a mere few minutes.

For something that has no MSG or preservatives, it was damn addictive! The garlic soy sauce was just right. Mildly sweet with a strong garlic flavour, each bite we had got better and better. It was an out-of-body experience that we can barely put into words.

Also, the simple process of savouring a chicken drumlet to the bone is ultra-satisfying. Be sure to get all the good, crispy parts at the ends of your drumlet to enjoy it fully. There is no debate, KyoChon has our heart and our tummies.

If there is just one Korean fried chicken place to go in Seoul, South Korea, look no further. Be prepared to be so satisfied by their amazing Korean fried chicken!

KyoChon (Hongdae)
362-15, Seogyo-dong
Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 3381300
Daily: 3pm to 2am
Nearest Station: Sangsu

One local dish that everyone looks forward to trying in Seoul is Budae Jjigae, or also commonly known as ‘Korean Army Stew’. Bada Sikdang is an eatery in Itaewon district that is frequented by locals who are craving for Budae Jjigae.

Bada Sikdang has been serving its Budae Jjigae for over 45 years. What makes the Budae Jjigae at Bada Sikdang unique is the addition of cheese; it may not follow the exact recipe for the traditional Budae Jjigae, but it is an interesting twist for those who are looking for something different.

Other than Budae Jjigae, Bada Sikdang also offers BBQ meats such as T-bone Steak (W30,000 per pax), Beef Ribs (W25,000 per pax), Pork Chops (W15,000 per pax), as well as the signature Beef Sausages (W25,000 per pax).

Drop by Bada Sikdang in Itaewon for a fuss-free Korean stew and you will leave with happy tummies.

Visitors are expected to take off their shoes before they enter the eatery and cloth shoe bags are available at the entrance. The simple eatery was buzzing with activity as the waitresses serve up aromatic dishes and guests chatter among themselves.

You can even peek into their kitchen and watch the chefs in action as they whip up your food inside.

For the uninitiated, Budae Jjigae is also referred as ‘Johnson Tang’. This is the name you should be searching for on the menu if you cannot read Korean.

The rich sausage stew is made of beef bone broth as its base and the addition of chilli powder, high-quality ham, fresh lettuce and not forgetting the key ingredient—cheese. Melted cheese goes well with almost everything and it sure made the pot a lot tastier!

Bada Sikdang’s rendition is a lot drier than the usual Budae Jjigae and while the regulars swear by it, we prefer the usual Korean Army Stews which are soupier and heartier.

Do take note that there is a minimum order starting from 2 pax (W20,000).

The portion of the Budae Jjigae portion is actually not huge so we recommend ordering the popular Pork Chops (W15,000) to share. The smokey barbecue sauce that was lavishly poured over the tender meat was the winning factor for us. Have it together with plain rice to balance the flavours on your palate.

Bada Sikdang
18 Itaewon-ro 49-gil
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 02 795 1317
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Kimchi Jjigae is a staple in South Korea which we enjoy tremendously even in Singapore, so we made it a point to hunt down the best Kimchi Jjigae on our trip to Seoul.

We discovered a popular hole-in-the-wall eatery visited by locals called Gwanghwamun Jip, which is relatively near to Gyeongbokgung Palace. While the eatery lies in one of the most touristy spots in Seoul, it is tucked away from the main road and hidden from plain sight in a narrow alley.

Fans of Kimchi Jjiage have to make it a point to visit Gwanghwamun Jip!

Upon stepping into the eatery, it reminded us of a cosy Korean home with home cooked food—with the aromatic fragrance of Kimchi Jjigae in the air and the kitchen located just behind the seating area. If you are interested to see how they cook their fluffy omelettes, take a peek behind the counters.

The highlight of our lunch is their famous Kimchi Jjigae which was rich and flavourful. For only W7,000 per person, you get an extremely generous portion of soup and kimchi. It was hearty, with a mixture of tangy and savoury tones just the way a good pot of Kimchi Jjigae ought to be.

Have it with white rice and a variety of mixed ban chan which are given to you for free!

Another savoury side we enjoyed was the Stir Fried Spicy Pork (W10,000). While the lean meat did not impress us, we were full of praises for the fatty bits. Yes, it is sinful but that is what makes it taste so good!

For something lighter and not too filling, go for their rolled omelette (W5,000/ S$6.02) which we felt were decent. It may not be the best we tried, but it came with the right amount of fluffiness and was good for four to share.

Gwanghwamun Jip
43 Dangju-dong
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 739 7737
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Gwanghwamun

Often overshadowed by other popular counterparts such as Dongdaemun and Namdaemun, Gwangjang Market is a popular market in Seoul that is truly deserving of a special mention. Established in 1905, Gwangjang Market is widely recognised as one of the oldest markets in Seoul.

While many parts of Seoul City has evolved to accommodate western influences and ideas from abroad, Gwangjang Market has retained all of its traditional Korean roots which makes it the best place to go if you want to experience authentic Korean street food and culture under one roof. Fans of Running Man might find Gwangjang Market very familiar (watch episode 186).

Not sure what you can expect there? Here’s What To See And Eat At Gwangjang Market.

WHAT TO SEE AT GWANGJANG MARKET

There are various sections in Gwangjang Market offering silk, clothes and food. Within the food section, you will also find a variety of items on sale which include fresh vegetables, fruits, kimchi, seafood and the best of all—delicious street food!

You are likely to see two groups of people at Gwangjang Market—locals going about their grocery shopping there and curious tourists wandering around the place.

There are many makeshift stalls set up around Gwangjang Market, but the place is far from being disorganised. Basically, all the portable stalls are lined up along the centre of the walkway so visitors are required to walk either on the left or right side of the pavement.

WHAT TO EAT AT GWANGJANG MARKET

If you are not interested in fresh produce, head straight for the street food section. Seoul may have amazing night markets that offer plenty of street food but you definitely should not miss out on the buzzing atmosphere at Gwangjang Market.

As cooking is done on-site, the first thing that will hit you is the glorious smell of street food from all the different stalls there. So come prepared with an empty stomach so that you can try many varieties of Korean street food!

Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) and Kimbap (seaweed rice roll) are two local favourites you really have to try. This stall in Gwangjang Market is offering a set for W2,000/ S$2.38 and we noticed that it is extremely popular among young Koreans who would pop by for a quick meal and leave.

Another common dish you will find there is Pajeon (W2,000/ S$2.38). It may be a simple recipe consisting of only batter and wild green onions but you will be surprised at how the sweet and savoury flavours from the onions and pancake will create a nice balance on your palate.

We were given fresh kimchi and marinated onions as sides to give the dish an extra oomph. Side dishes are refillable so that really gives you more bang for your buck.

Another highlight at Gwangjang Market is Bindaetteok (W4,000/ S$4.77) which is also known as ‘Mung Bean Pancake’. Locals make these pancakes during Korean festival celebrations such as New Years and Chuseok, so you can imagine how significant it is to them.

Made from ground mung beans, the pancakes are pan-fried in hot oil before they are served to you with marinated onions. Since the portion is huge, light eaters can consider sharing one so that you still have enough stomach space to try other street food there.

If you are still feeling hungry after all that, go for a filling meal at one of the many casual restaurants there. We highly recommend the Yukhoe (W8,000/ S$9.54), which is essentially bibimbap with raw beef that has been seasoned with a mixture of sauces.

For an even more satisfying meal, pair it with a cup of ice-cold Makgeolli (traditional Korean rice wine) to wash it all down.

Gwangjang Market
88 Changgyeonggung-ro
Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
General stores: 8.30am – 6pm
Restaurants: 8.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jongno 5-ga / Euljiro 4-ga

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s food and travel guides featuring the best places to visit in the city.

The Korean term ‘Samgyetang’ refers to Korean ginseng chicken soup whereby a small chicken is usually stuffed with nutritious ingredients such as ginseng, garlic, jujube and rice. Locals have it during harsh winter days to stay warm and even during summer to replenish lost body fluids.

After days of Korean BBQ and Kimchi Jjigae, we were craving for something lighter on the taste buds and decided to drop by one of Seoul’s oldest and most established ginseng chicken soup restaurants, Korea Samgyetang.

The no-frills restaurant is just like its straightforward name—they dish out honest-to-goodness Samgyetang dishes that are flavourful and leaves you wanting more.

Having been around since 1960, Korea Samgyetang is recognised as the first Korean ginseng chicken soup restaurant in Seoul. So yes, you know that you are left in good hands under experienced chefs.

The spacious Samgyetang restaurant is sparkling clean with long communal tables that are great for families and groups of friends who are dining together.

No one goes to a Samgyetang restaurant without ordering the classic Samgyetang (W15,000/ S$18.07). Served in an iron pot, the bubbling broth carried a strong fragrance which we got us all excited before we even begin our meal.

We could taste all the ingredients that were infused in the soup—ginseng, garlic, Chinese dates and other traditional herbs. The chicken meat was tender and the dish was further perfected with sweet glutinous rice.

All Samgyetang dishes are accompanied with a ginseng shot which you can either have it before you start eating or add it to the soup for a richer ginseng taste.

For something more premium, try their Jeonbok Samgyetang (W21,000/ S$25.30). The same ingredients are used as the traditional Samgyetang but this one comes with a piece of abalone. The fleshy abalone was generous in size and came with a smooth texture.

For an even healthier alternative, go for the Ogolgyetang (W21,000/ S$25.30). Black chicken is known to contain plenty of antioxidants which are beneficial for your health and it is often used as a form of Chinese medicine.

Prepared in a similar way, you will also find sticky rice and ginseng in the succulent, fall-off-the-bone chicken. If you have never tried black chicken before, this is a good place to start.

Korea Samgyetang
1, Seosomun-ro 11-gil
Seosomun-dong
Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 737 1888
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Heading to Seoul soon? Take a look at our Seoul Travel Guide for more recommendations.

Get the ultimate banchan feast for only W8,000/ S$9.63 per person when you dine at Sigol Bapsang in Itaewon, Seoul.

By banchan feast, we do not mean 10 or even 20; we are referring to a whopping 30 banchan dishes, including rice and tofu soup on your dining table! Saying that you are spoilt for choice is an understatement at Sigol Bapsang.

The traditional Korean eatery opens for 24 hours daily, so you can come here for a filling meal at any time of the day. 

Established in 1986, Sigol Bapsang has been dishing out classic banchan dishes that are well-loved by locals and foreigners. Guests who are sitting on the low tables are required to take off their shoes and sit on mats that are given.

The small Korean eatery is decorated with traditional tools and crockery used in early days that have since been replaced by modern equipment. Seats are limited as the eatery is small, so we would recommend visiting on off peak hours.

Apart from the steamed egg, all diners get to share 30 banchan dishes. Each person also has their own bowl of rice and a steaming bowl of soybean paste soup with tofu and seaweed. Yes, all these are yours for only W8,000/ S$9.63. You can even get the ahjumma to refill the banchan sides. What a steal!

Guests can expect the standard banchan dishes such as kimchi, pan-fried Korean pancake, steamed bean sprouts, fish cakes, marinated Ikan Bilis, marinated cold tofu, quail eggs, crispy seaweed, mushrooms and more.

We enjoyed most of the banchan—with the fish cakes and quail eggs being our favourites. Wash it all down with savoury soybean paste soup which was hearty and comforting.

On top of our banchan spread, we also ordered an a la carte portion of Steamed Egg (W4,000/ S$4.81) which was light and fluffy. Have this in between full-flavoured banchan to strike a balance on your palate.

Sigol Bapsang
738-17 Hannam-dong
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 793 5390
Nearest Station: Itaweon/Hangangjin station

Talk about Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup) in Seoul and many will point you to Tosokchon.

There are often arguments about how Tosokchon is touristy/ meant for tourists, but there is no denying that this institution serves one of the best Samgyetang renditions in Seoul. And it is actually pretty reasonably priced!

If you haven’t already tried it, here’s what you are missing out on.

Tosokchon is a stone’s throw from Gyeongbokgung Station, making it a common pit stop after a visit to Seoul’s most famous Imperial Palace. The restaurant is said to be frequented by Korean’s late President Roh Moo-hyun.

Queues are not uncommon at Tosokchon but the wait is not long; the Hanok-style restaurant has a seating capacity of approximately 400, hence the relatively easy waiting time. We also love the traditional seating style on wooden floors and eating on old-school wooden tables.

On the menu, go straight for the signature Korean ginseng chicken soup and do not bother about anything else. Both Tosokchon Korean ginseng chicken soup (W15,000) and Tosokchon Korean Black Chicken Ginseng Soup (W22,000) are fantastic; we’ve had them on numerous occasions over the last few years and never once had they disappointed us.

A whole chicken stuffed with glutinous rice sits in a bowl of milky broth that is also filled with garlic, dates and ginseng shreds; the chicken is so tender that the flesh falls off the bone with just a tug.

You can also opt to add wild ginseng roots to enhance your soup for an additional W6,000. To be honest, we thought that it did not make a big difference to the taste of the soup.

If you are one who fancies your food strong-flavoured, there is a jar of salt where you can help yourself to. They serve really good kimchi that you can eat all you can, too.

Really, guys. Don’t be too bothered by what people say about Tosokchon being touristy. You have to try it to believe how good it is. Tosokchon has the best Samgyetang in Seoul.

Tosokchon
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Sajik-dong
Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 737 7444
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Gyeongbokgung

For more recommendations on the best places to visit in Seoul, read our Seoul’s food and travel guides.