Do you want to properly experience authentic Korean food in the daily life of Koreans around the Jongno and Gwanghwamun areas?
Today, I’d like to introduce ‘Jongno Bansanghoe,’ located near Jonggak Station in Seoul.
This place is a beloved restaurant not only for nearby office workers but also for travelers who want to experience traditional Korean cuisine,
and it’s a special spot where you can enjoy generous and heartfelt home-style Korean meals at reasonable prices.
If you want to taste authentic Korean food, be sure to pay attention to this content!
👇 Check below for details!👇
[Spot] Jongno Restaurant | Jongno Bansanghoe
Why We Recommend It
- ‘Jongno Bansanghoe’ is a set meal specialty restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Korean home-cooked meals in abundance.
- They carefully serve a variety of popular Korean dishes on one table, such as stir-fried pork, braised kimchi, soft tofu pollack roe soup, vegetable fritters, and Jeju-style stir-fried pork belly.
- The freshly made side dishes and warm soup dishes prepared every morning will make you feel as if you’re being served a warm meal at a Korean home.
- ‘Jongno Bansanghoee’ is conveniently located between Jongno, Jonggak, and Gwanghwamun, making it especially recommended for foreign tourists who want to experience Korea’s ‘home-cooked meal’ culture.
- In a warm and friendly atmosphere, it’s a great-value Korean restaurant where you can taste and experience Korean home-cooked meal culture like a local.
Our Visit
Today, I visited ‘Jongno Bansanghoe’ near Jonggak Station.
‘Jongno Bansanghoe’ is just a 1-minute walk from Jonggak Station, so it’s very accessible.
It’s also close to major tourist spots like Jongno and Gwanghwamun, making it the perfect place to try traditional Korean food while traveling around downtown Seoul.
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When you arrive at the building and go down the stairs, you’ll reach ‘Jongno Bansanghoe.’
The inside of the restaurant is spacious, clean, and has a warm atmosphere, making it a comfortable space for first-time foreign visitors to dine.
There’s also a restroom inside, so please keep that in mind :)
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This is the menu of ‘Jongno Bansanghoe’!
Not only are there classic Korean dishes like kimchi jjim, spicy pork stir-fry, and stir-fried pork belly, but there are also affordable set menus available only during lunchtime.
In addition, a variety of traditional Korean alcoholic beverages such as makgeolli and soju are available, making it a great place to enjoy a unique experience with your meal.
I was especially satisfied with the wide variety of menu options to choose from.
All the dishes we ordered have arrived!
Just looking at the table full of food made my mouth water, and the savory and spicy aromas made me want to dig in right away.
It was truly special to be able to experience such a generous spread of traditional Korean cuisine!
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In particular, if you visit here on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., you can order the lunch set menu,
and the big advantage is that you can enjoy unlimited rice and traditional Korean makgeolli!
The editor also visited during lunchtime and ordered the lunch set menu,
and not only was it very cost-effective, but it also came with soup and a variety of side dishes, making it even more satisfying :)
The soup served was ‘miyeokguk,’ a favorite among Koreans!
Miyeokguk is a soup made by boiling seaweed from the ocean, and is known for its soft texture and deep flavor.
In Korea, it’s a traditional dish often eaten on birthdays, special occasions, or when wishing for good health.
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The side dishes change a little every day, but they always come in a variety of combinations that let you truly enjoy the flavors of Korean cuisine.
Fresh and carefully prepared side dishes make the table even more abundant.
On weekday lunches, you can help yourself to unlimited rice at the self-serve corner here!
It was really impressive how thoughtfully they allowed you to freely add more side dishes if you wanted.
Thanks to this, we were able to enjoy hearty, lovingly prepared Korean food to our heart’s content :)
On weekday lunches, unlimited makgeolli, a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage, is also provided!
The menu is made up of dishes that pair well with makgeolli, so you can experience the real dining culture enjoyed by Koreans.
The smooth and slightly fizzy taste of makgeolli paired perfectly with the spicy and savory Korean dishes, making the meal even more delicious.
The first menu item to introduce is ‘spicy pork stir-fry’ (jeyuk bokkeum)!
Jeyuk bokkeum is a classic Korean home-cooked dish made by stir-frying thinly sliced pork in a spicy and sweet gochujang sauce.
It’s full of umami within the spiciness, and it goes perfectly with rice.
The jeyuk bokkeum at ‘Jongno Bansanghoe’ is a special menu item available only at lunch,
With just the right amount of spiciness and sweetness, plus a rich umami flavor, the moment I took a bite, my mouth was filled with flavor—it was truly impressive!
It’s so delicious with rice that you can’t stop eating, and anyone is sure to fall in love with the Korean-style spicy flavor.
This time, it’s ‘kimchi jjim’!
With the unique know-how of this place, it’s a dish where deeply aged kimchi and tender pork shoulder are simmered together.
The tangy taste of the aged kimchi and the rich flavor of the meat blend together, and the moment you take a bite, your mouth is filled with savory umami.
The spicy yet deep flavor goes perfectly with rice, making it the best menu to truly experience Korean home-cooked food!
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The meat was so tender that it could be easily torn apart with chopsticks,
The meat was thick and juicy, so every bite was filled with savory meat juices.
When eaten together with the aged kimchi, the softness and tanginess blended perfectly in the mouth, making it truly satisfying.
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The kimchi was served in large, generous pieces, so you could really enjoy the authentic taste of kimchi jjim.
Especially for this aged kimchi, I’ll share a little Korean tip: instead of just eating it as is, cut it along the grain (vertically) to enjoy it even more deliciously :)
If you experience even these detailed methods, Korean food will feel even more fun and attractive!
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If you take a big spoonful of rice, top it with tender meat and well-fermented kimchi, and eat it all in one bite, you’ll feel the perfect harmony :)
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This time, let me introduce you to Jeju-style iron plate ‘Duruchigi’!
Duruchigi is a Korean-style spicy stir-fry dish where marinated meat and vegetables are cooked together on an iron plate.
Because it’s cooked right on a hot iron plate, you can enjoy the sizzling sound as you eat,
The spicy and savory seasoning goes so well with rice that it’s an addictive taste you’ll want to keep eating!
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In particular, duruchigi tastes best when wrapped in a ssam!
Put a little rice on a lettuce leaf, then add duruchigi and your choice of side dishes, garlic, or chili peppers, and pop it all in one bite—!
When you eat it like this, the crispness of the fresh vegetables and the spicy flavor of the duruchigi fill your mouth, creating a perfect harmony.
At first, ssam might feel unfamiliar, but once you try it, you’ll immediately understand why Koreans eat it this way :)
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Perilla leaves served with the lettuce are also one of the ingredients Koreans love to use for ssam.
Perilla leaves have a unique fragrant aroma, so foreigners may either love or dislike them depending on their taste,
But when eaten with spicy duruchigi, you’ll be surprised at how well the flavors go together.
It might feel unfamiliar at first, but if you want to truly experience Korean food culture, I recommend giving it a try :)
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The chili peppers served with the lettuce and perilla leaves are also one of the vegetables Koreans love to eat.
It adds a spicy flavor, making it even more enjoyable to chew and enhancing the savory taste when eaten with ssam (wraps).
It's usually dipped in ssamjang sauce, so if you like spicy food, be sure to give it a try!
This time, it's 'Vegetable Fritters & Fried Chili Peppers'!
This menu comes with three pieces each, and it's a crispy and savory side dish that pairs well with the main dishes.
It's light and mild, so it balances out the spiciness while adding a variety of textures and flavors.
It's one of the most popular snacks you can't miss at Korean restaurants, so be sure to try it!
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When I cut open the fried chili pepper, I found it was stuffed with ingredients like glass noodles and minced meat.
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I dipped it in a spicy and tangy sauce made just for fried foods, and it wasn't as spicy as I expected, so I think anyone can enjoy it without worry.
The crispy batter, soft filling, and sweet flavor of the sauce all came together to really whet my appetite.
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Now it's time to try the vegetable fritters that came with it,
Overall, they were soft and moist, and the natural savory flavor of the fresh vegetables blended in nicely.
The variety of vegetables harmonized together, so every bite was full of rich flavor and texture.
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Lastly, I also ordered 'sherbet,' which Koreans enjoy as a dessert or with drinks,
Especially since the refreshing and sweet pineapple-flavored sherbet was served inside an actual pineapple shell, it was a visually fun and unique experience!
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The refreshing taste that fills your mouth is great as a palate cleanser after a meal, and if you enjoy it with soju, it makes for a fantastic drinking snack :)
Today at 'Jongno Bansanghoe,' I was able to enjoy authentic Korean home-style meals that were hearty and full of care.
The variety of Korean dishes made with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes were truly appetizing, and I was able to enjoy a relaxing meal in a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
Especially if you want to experience traditional Korean food near Jongno, Jonggak, or Gwanghwamun,
If you want to taste real home-cooked meals loved by locals, I highly recommend 'Jongno Bansanghoe.'
It's the best place to enjoy authentic Korean cuisine without any burden, with not only great taste but also excellent value for money!
How to Get There
Exit through Jonggak Station Exit 4.
As soon as you come out of Exit 4, enter the alley on your right.
Go straight.
When you reach the intersection, turn right.
Go straight.
Go straight until you see the 'Jongno Bansanghoe' sign on your left.
Arrived at 'Jongno Bansanghoe'!
[스팟] Jongno Restaurants | Jongno Bansanghoe
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