I'm a student in Korea studying development to become a developer. Today, while also practicing my English, I'd like to share a brief introduction to some famous restaurants in Korea. I'll introduce some notable eateries around Gyeongbokgung Palace, a popular tourist attraction.
Near Gyeongbokgung Palace, you'll find Sejong Village Food Culture Street, located in front of Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station. This street is packed with numerous delicious restaurants.
The first restaurant Anjumaeul
The first restaurant I'd like to highlight is Anjumaeul, the most popular traditional Korean pub on this street. Anjumaeul specializes in traditional Korean dishes with a focus on seasonal seafood. It's so popular that if you don't arrive early, you might not get a chance to eat, even if you're willing to wait.
To make a reservation at Anjumaeul, you can enter your phone number into the reservation kiosk at the entrance. Once your reservation is confirmed, you'll receive a notification via KakaoTalk when it's your turn. Based on my experience, if you make a reservation around 4 PM, you can expect to wait about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
A tip for making reservations: you can use the Catch Table app, which allows you to search for and book restaurants. It's a widely used app among Koreans.
Some recommended dishes at Anjumaeul include herring roe bibimbap, pollack roe tofu soup, raw squid, and fresh oyster pancakes. However, all the dishes are so delicious that you can't go wrong with any of the sashimi options. On the menu, dishes with a single red line are recommended, and those with two red lines are highly recommended. So, any dish marked with a red line will surely be a treat.
The second restaurant Gye-danjip
The second restaurant I'd like to introduce is Gye-danjip. It's the next most famous seafood restaurant after Anjumaeul. Since Gye-danjip doesn't take reservations, you'll need to visit in person and wait in line. Typically, the wait is about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Gye-danjip specializes in seafood dishes, with popular items including cutlassfish sashimi, simmered octopus, steamed sea conch, and seafood ramen. However, most dishes here are delicious, so you can order any dish and enjoy a great meal.
The third restaurant Seochon Gotgan
The third restaurant on my list is Seochon Gotgan. This place offers a variety of traditional Korean alcoholic beverages, particularly makgeolli. The interior is decorated with traditional Korean elements, creating an authentic atmosphere, and the tableware also reflects this theme. The menu features a fusion of Korean and Western cuisine. Recommended dishes include LA galbi with pumpkin puree, herring roe with perilla oil, and pork belly gochujang tteokbokki.
The fourth restaurant Kimjinmoksam
The fourth restaurant I'd like to recommend is Kimjinmoksam. This restaurant specializes in traditional Korean BBQ, particularly grilled pork neck and pork belly. The staff grill the meat for you, ensuring it's cooked to perfection. The fresh meat, seasoned with just a light sprinkle of salt, is incredibly delicious. The side dishes, including pickled garlic leaves, are also very tasty. Additionally, there's no corkage fee for wine, so you can bring your own wine to enjoy with your meal.
I hope this introduction helps you discover some of the amazing culinary experiences around Gyeongbokgung Palace!
