The perk of working in a different place every so often is that you get to dig into the local food scene. This time I spent about five months working around City Hall, and I got to visit plenty of good restaurants I hadn’t known about. If the chance comes up I’d love to work in the Jongno area too, so let me know if you hear of a decent gig.
Jeongwon Sundubu
Supposedly one of the better-known spots in the neighborhood..
It was just average.
Besides sundubu they also had things like jokbal on the menu, but I never got the chance to check how good it was. The place is clean, and the prices are reasonable enough.
Banchan at Woorimjeong
Tucked back in an alley there’s a restaurant called Woorimjeong, and the value is outstanding.
Bassak bulgogi (dry-grilled bulgogi)
You eat it for the sweetness.
Budae jjigae
It’s surprisingly decent (though the best I’ve ever had is Jangbaksa Budae Jjigae in Jongno 5-ga), and the price is right too. Being able to cover it with the overtime meal allowance is a huge plus.
Banchan at Cheongsongok in Seosomun
It was packed at lunchtime so I went in to see. It’s big, no doubt, but maybe because of the crowd the food came out a bit slow and the service was shaky.
Jangteo gukbap
Spicy, but addictive. Turns out this is the dish that made the place popular.
Pomodoro pasta
Ordered this at a certain pasta place.. hmm.. I guess this kind of pasta just isn’t my thing.
Bibim guksu at Yurimmyeon
I’m not really a big fan of bunsik, but the noodles here were seriously well made. With a history this long, it’s a charming bowl of noodles. The rest of the menu didn’t tempt me much, though.
The sky over the neighborhood
Had nowhere else to put this, so I’m slipping it in here.
Chungki Myeonga
Of course this place is good, and it was packed even at lunch. Looks like it’s fully established itself.
Yukhoe bibimbap at Changgo 43
I had a chance to eat on the company card, so I ordered it without hesitation. The price is a touch higher than the restaurants nearby, but the ingredients were genuinely healthy. I liked it.
The road along Deoksugung
It was the height of autumn.
Mugyo-dong Bugeogukjip (the dried pollack soup place)
There’s always a line, but the turnover is incredibly fast. The food is good, and they treat solo diners well too. I suspect that’s part of why it’s so popular.
Seolleongtang at Jaembaeok
A seolleongtang with a really clean broth. Top-class level. It reminded me again of the depth of Gangbuk’s food scene. The only problem is that near City Hall there’s Jungnimjang, a seolleongtang place with unbeatable value, so I end up going there instead.. such is the salaryman’s life.
Handmade mandu-guk at Ibuk Mandu in front of City Hall
Not easy to find; it’s tucked deep in the back alleys. The food is well done, but maybe because it’s right by City Hall the prices run a little high.
Inside
It’s a converted hanok. Nice atmosphere, so it’d work for entertaining clients too.
Pyeongando Manduguk
It’s a place I think of every winter, so I couldn’t not go. The mild, clean-tasting mandu are nice, but I came away thinking this place is really meant for a group ordering the jeongol hot pot.
Won Daegutang
Of everywhere I ate around City Hall, this is the place that impressed me most. I had no idea daegutang (cod soup) could be this good. It’s worth making a special trip from far away.
Five months’ worth of records means there’s still some left. See you in part 2.
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