We got together in Jongno on the weekend, but hardly anything was open, so there wasn’t really anywhere obvious to go. So we headed to good old reliable Pyeongnaeok.
Champagne, courtesy of a friend
Love the name, “Instinct”.
Eobok jaengban beef platter
I knew Pyeongnaeok was famous for its chogyetang, but the eobok jaengban turned out to be really substantial for the price too. It broke my heart a little that the meat wasn’t a bigger share of it, but the flavours were well balanced and the pear you cook in the broth was nice and refreshing.
Nokdujeon (mung bean pancake)
It falls a bit short of the one I had at Samseong Guksu not long ago. Then again, it’s a pretty ordinary dish.
Mandu added to the eobok jaengban
and we eat well. The meat that goes into eobok jaengban isn’t a particularly pricey cut, and they say that in the old days the whole point was eating it piled high on the platter, but these days prices have shot up and portions have shrunk, so honestly it’s a lot less satisfying than it used to be. In that sense, Pyeongnaeok’s eobok jaengban was excellent.
Finishing with chogyetang…
It was still summer, so we ordered the chogyetang. That day we made it in just before 12 o’clock, and the moment it passed noon a queue formed outside. Life really is all about timing.
Bingsu at Artisée
We couldn’t skip dessert, so we dropped by Artisée. The bingsu that came out was really memorable, so I’ll definitely have it again next year.
Cream puffs
So-so. They’re tasty enough, but… Having looked after ourselves right through to dessert, the meetup wrapped up a success.