Seoul - good food

There are many blogs, youtube videos and websites recommending various street food and restaurants in Seoul. Before our trip, we made a conscious effort to check them out as part of our research. We also actively seek recommendations from friends and relatives who are frequent visitors of the city.

After collecting and half-digesting rims of data, we have sort of a general plan of attack. As always the case, despite having lots of time, we did not complete even half the must-eat-list. Plans change. Sometimes the journey time is simply too long, we got lost, we dwell too long at certain place of interest, too hungry to continue hunting for the restaurants.

Despite all the above reasons, we were pleasantly surprised by some of the unknown eating places. There were also a fair number of duds along the way. Below are some of our favorites in no particular order.

Bonjuk 本粥 본죽

72 Toegye-ro, Hoehyeondong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

We chance upon this restaurant one morning while hunting for breakfast. It was not a place recommended by anyone we knew or mentioned in any of the blogs we read. It was empty when we were there, and we have totally no inkling that it will taste so good. I especially love their small plate of beef stripes that comes with the porridge. The reason why we even give this place a chance was because the actor-model at the front of the shop looks familiar and, the place looks clean.

This location is deep inside an office building between Shinsegae Department Store and Woori bank. It has a Starbucks outside.

Our favourite is the Mushroom and Seafood porridge. It was so good that we visited this place two times. As an added bonus, the portion is of decent size.

A Chinese blogger, evalilycoco, also recommended this eating house. Same restaurant but in another location. It is apparently part of a chain.

Congee House

31, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04537

This is another very good porridge place and it is in Myeongdong, 3rd floor of The Stay Hotel. Close on Thursday.

Issac Toast

My favourite snack in Korea. Ate it 4 times. They have many outlets in Seoul, and 2 in Myeongdong itself. I usually make my purchase at night when there is no queue. This place is also highly recommended in many blogs.

Hong Kong Banjeom 0410

14, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04536, South Korea

This place was recommended by a friend who visits Seoul every year. They serve good black bean sauce noodle or jajangmyeon (炸酱面).  Despite minimal service and limited menu options, this place is packed. Reason is because it serves good food at a very decent price.

Since the food can get a bit messy, they provide aprons so that you don't dirty your clothes. Just grab an apron from the counter.

Apron