‘Jongno Gourmet’ is a place where you can experience the charm of exploring various restaurants in Jongno for nostalgic dining. There are many old buildings and many old restaurants, making it a favorite spot for young and old alike. If you’re looking for a mecca for daytime drinking, where you can have a drink with delicious food, you’re in luck! Here are the top 5 restaurants in Jongno, Seoul, that will make you feel soothed and drunk again..
‘Can Dumpling’ for light dumpling dishes’
Located right in front of the Constitutional Court, ‘Canton Mandu’ is popular for its dumpling hot pot. The combination of deep, rich broth and juicy dumplings is hot and filling. The overall flavor is light and not overpowering. The sweet and sour “bibim noodles” are also a specialty, ideal for fulfilling nostalgic dining cravings in Jongno.
[Sikshin TIP]
Location: 1F, 5-6, Bukchon-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 11:30 – 21:00, closed on Sundays
Menu: Kalmandu 9,500 won, Jorangtteok Mandukguk 10,000 won
‘Daeseong Sikdang’, a Nakgopseu restaurant hidden in a food alley
‘Daeseong Sikdang’ is known as the original restaurant in the nostalgic food alley located near Sewoon Shopping Street. Opened in 1984, it has been steadily gaining popularity and has been featured in various media. It is said that one bite of the spicy soup is enough to make you reach for a bottle of alcohol, capturing the essence of restaurants in Jongno for nostalgic dining.
[Sikshin TIP]
Location: 14-3, Jongno 26-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
Hours: Daily 11:30 – 21:30, closed on Sundays
Menu: Nakgopseodae 11,000 won
‘Ohjukine’, where you can taste the original spicy chicken soup
‘Ohjukine’ is located in Pocha Street, Jongno. The ‘chicken spicy soup’ with lots of vegetables is popular here. It is served with pre-cooked chicken in red broth, and the more you boil it, the more you can taste the authentic flavor reminiscent of nostalgic dining experiences in Jongno. The flavor is enhanced by minced garlic, and the chicken is tender and soft. It is a favorite among drinkers, as the spicy soup is a great way to loosen up your stomach and a great accompaniment to alcohol.
[Sikshin TIP]
Location: 25, Donhwamun-ro 11ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: Weekdays 11:30 – 22:00, Saturdays 12:00 – 22:00, Sundays closed
Menu: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup (Small) 27,000 won, Jjukkumi/Jjusamgyeop (Medium) 35,000 won
‘Dalian Jip’ – Rich Bone Broth and Hearty Noodles
Located near the Cheonggyecheon Stream, ‘Daeryeonjip’ has been attracting people for over 60 years with its menu of ‘sagol kalguksu’ and ‘raw cabbage bossam’. The combination of crispy cabbage and well-braised pork is hard to resist without an accompaniment. You can search throughout Jongno for nostalgic dining experiences like theirs.
[Sikshin TIP]
Location: 37 Jongno 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 11:00 – 22:00, closed on Sundays
Menu: Bone broth noodles 8,000 won, raw cabbage bossam (beef) 18,000 won
‘Hovan’, a mecca for drinkers famous for its southern food
‘Hoban’ is located in an alley in Nakwon-dong. The spicy and sweet ‘Jjimjim’ and the savory ‘Daechang Sundae’ are popular menus. When you eat the rice with the steamed pufferfish, you can’t help but scream for a refill. The basic dishes are neat and not too spicy, so it’s easy to eat. The Daechang Sundae is light and has a unique chewy texture with a clean aftertaste, perfect for nostalgic dining in restaurants around Jongno.
[Sikshin TIP]
Location: 20, Samil-daero 26-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: Daily 11:40 – 22:00, closed on Sundays
Menu: Sundaeguk 9,000 won, Steamed tilapia (medium) 48,000 won