Food Guide | CHUNGMURO

If you feel that there are too many tourists in Myeongdong, Creatrip would like to recommend that you travel to the Chungmuro district right next to Myeong-dong , where locals' favorite authentic Korean foods are.

In addition to a Korean steamed chicken (백숙) restaurant that has been in business for more than 50 years, there is also a trending Korean-style pasta with crispy breads. When you come to South Korea for a trip, just stay near Chungmuro Road and be sure to try these unique foods.

About The Neighbourhood

Chungmuro District is located next to Myeongdong and is just a 10-minute walk from Myeongdong. It is quite a historic area. Because of the proximity to Myeongdong, most of Seoul’s accommodations and Guest House are gathered in Chungmuro District.

The Namsan Hanok Village is also located at Chungmuro Station. Compared to the lively Myeongdong, it is also a leisurely place for locals, and there are many Seoul people coming to heal.

Of course Myeongdong has a lot of restaurants for foreigners, but here at Chungmuro District, there are a lot of authentic restaurants with great foods that many Koreans have known. In addition, there are too many foreigners in Myeongdong, and South Koreans are hardly go to Myeongdong recently. They rather hang out in Chungmuro District instead. 

Odomyunok (오도면옥)

Address: 서울 중구 수표로6길 27

Hours: 11:30-20:30

Hiding in the middle of Chungmuro, “Odomyunok” has high quality barbecue and Korean cuisine that locals love. For those who like to come to the local adventure, the Odomyunok is really is a perfect fit.

The tender and savory Korean beef sizzles on the charcoal fire, and the delicious taste are truly memorable. The main point is that their cold noodles and bibimbap are classic side dishes that we would like to recommend as well. 

Taste a quality meal at a good price. The essence of the “Odomyunok” is that it makes people sip one after another and can't stop. If you try it with roasted Korean beef, you will be 100% satisfied.  

Namsan Dodam (남산도담)

Address: 서울 중구 수표로6길 37-1

Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00-22:00
Weekends: 11:00-21:00
Break time: 15:00-17:00
Last Order: 1 hour before closing

For office workers, Chungmuro has always been the best choice for authentic dinings, and the restaurants that are not good here are easy to be kicked out already. However, the delicious taste of "Namsan Dodam" is quite outstanding.

Looking at the rich half-cut platter of Bossam (보쌈, white-cut pork) and Jokbal (족발, pig's feet), is what get me extremely happy.

At last! At "Namsan Dodam", don't forget to taste the Makgeoli (막걸리, Korean traditional liquid). Drink a glass of drink like a Korean, and enjoy a wonderful journey with food.

STAYRAK Restaurant

Address: 서울 중구 퇴계로 211-5

Hours:
Lunch: 11:30-14:30
Dinner: 18:00-21:30

Located just outside exit 8 of Chungmuro Station, not only is Stayrak a great accommodation option for tourists, but it also offers tasty dining options. The one I'm especially fond of is the restaurant located on the 5th floor.

You get a hearty, filling meal for as low as ₩8,000 per person and the quality and cleanliness of the dishes are just on point! Plus, it's perfect for travellers who prefer a more modern, luxurious environment.

If you're feeling for some warm nurungji (rice crust) soup at the end of your meal, switch your regular rice to dolsotbap (stone pot rice).

Sarangbang Kalguksu Noodle (사랑방칼국수)

Address: 서울 중구 퇴계로27길 46

Hours:
Mon-Sat: 09:00-22:00
Sun: 09:00-16:00

The steamed chicken (백숙) is a chicken dish cooked with various kinds of Korean herbs. Unlike Samgyetang (삼계탕, Chicken Soup), chicken stew has no soup and the price is much cheaper. 

This famous restaurant "Sarangbang Kalguksu Noodle" is covered with Korean paper everywhere, preserves the traditional architectural style of the 1950s, and is also interviewed by many TV shows, and you can feel the uniqueness of the place.

Their main menu "half steamed chicken (백숙 백반, Steamed Chicken rice meal, 8,000KRW/person)" is also served with unlimited kimchi, shredded green onions and onion slices. It also comes with a bowl of white rice and clear stewed chicken soup. You will be super full after eating.

Gyelim Garlic Chicken (계림마늘닭)

Address: 서울 중구 충무로2길 43

Hours: 11:00-22:30
Break Time: 15:00-16:30

"Spicy Garlic Chicken (마늘닭)" is office workers' favorite in Chungmuro Road. Spicy Garlic Chicken is mixed with Korean chili sauce and various vegetables in the chicken soup with full of garlic.

Anyone who is in love with garlic, will love this food - full of minced garlic and thick Korean spicy sauce. 

The whole pot of stewed chicken soup is very rich, perfect for people who like to try authentic taste of Korean foods.

Chungmuro must dine-in "Gyerim Garlic Chicken (계림마늘닭)" has been in operation since the 1960s and is full of history. Don't forget the "fried rice" after finishing the Garlic Chicken. Koreans like to add white rice and stir-fry in the remaining soup.

Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi (충무로쭈꾸미불고기)

Address: 서울 중구 퇴계로31길 11

Hours:
Weekdays: 12:00-22:00
Sat: 12:00-21:30
Sun: Closed

Just look at the photos and feel the spicy little octopus. People who want to challenge the Hong Kong and South Korea's spicyness can quickly feel it. Locals are lining up everyday and even a Korean who lives far away will not hesitate to come to try this small octopus.

Every weekday evening, there will be long queues here. Everyone is coming to eat small octopus. For foreigners, the small spicy octopus is extremely spicy, make sure to be careful! lol

If it is cooked too long, the sauce on the surface of the small octopus will be stuck to the bottom. Don't forget not to cook well. 

Imonae (Auntie's) Gobchang (이모네곱창)

Address: 서울 중구 충무로2길 38-1

Hours:
Weekdays 11:30-23:00
Sat: 14:00-23:00
Sun: Closed

It is highly recommended for people who want to eat yummy hot sauce Gobchang (곱창, beef/pork intestine) in Korea. Although the the restaurant is located in the small allies of Chungmuro District it is crowded with people at any time.

The reason why the restaurant has a high popularity is that it can taste three flavors of hot sauce Gobchang at once. You can order a dish named "Pork Three Musketeers (돼지삼형제)", which can be eaten with different sauces. 

There is also a discount going on for anyone who visit the restaurant: Brother Soda and fruit-flavored soju normally 10% off, which allows travellers to fully enjoy a meal with a unique Korean culture.

Ssamsarang (쌈사랑)

Address: 서울 중구 퇴계로 207

Hours: 11:00-22:00

Ssamsarang at Chungmuro Disctrict is located near Namsan Hanok Village. Here you can taste the traditional Korean barbecue.

As a variety of quality meats (such as Samgyeopsal pork belly, Korean beef, etc.) can be enjoyed, Chungmuro restaurant "Ssamsarang" has a very high popularity.

There are almost ten kinds of lettuces for rice and meat. You can taste real authentic taste of Korean meat, in a very Korean style.

Korean traditional bamboo rice will be given for free after ordering. In order to make the aroma of the rice deeper, they put the charcoal strips together in the bowl. Isn't it amazing?

Jinddangyi soondae soup (진땡이순대국)

Address: 서울 중구 필동로 15-9

Many of the foods at Chungmuro District in Myeongdong area are located in pretty much the same lanes, and the real Soondae soup is no exception. "Jinddangyi Soondae Soup (진땡이 순대국)" is located in the lane near Exit 1 of Chungmuro Station. The first time you go, the road may not be easy to find, so it is recommended to look closely at the map.

The most representative menu of the restaurant is of course this yummy Soodae soup (순대국), which will be put in the casserole, and you can see that the Soondae soup (순대국) is still being stewed. As it is very hot, be careful when enjoying the foods.

As you stir it, the spicy sauce will spread out and the soup will turn red. The high-quality Soondae soup does not smell bad, and it turns into an authentic traditional food that can be tasted differently.

Yeonan Restaurant Chungmuro Branch (연안식당 충무로점)

Address: 서울 중구 퇴계로 198

Hours: 11:00-23:00

A Chungmuro must dine-in restaurant "Yeonan Restaurant (연안식당)" is located right in front of Exit 3 of Chungmuro Station and is very easy to locate. The restaurant offers a lot of Korean southern local specialties, such as loach, crab and other seafood mixed with red sauce, made into a big assortment.

Compared with other branches, the “Yeonan Restaurant” at Chungmuro District is more spacious. For those who have luggage or a large number of people, this is much more convenient.

The representative meal is "Ggomak bibimbop (Cockle, loach 꼬막 비빔밥)".  It includes a variety of side dishes, cold loach, white rice and soup just like a picture below. Mix the loach with rice and eat it together. If you put it all in, it will be too salty, and it will be better to try it while mixing.

Soy sauce crabs are full of high-quality side dishes in South Korea and it is quite rare to see soy sauce crabs in the side dishes. However, no matter what meals are served, they will provide soy sauce crabs as a side dish.

Soonam Siraegi Myeongdong Branch (순남시래기 명동점)

Address: 서울 중구 명동10길 35-20

Hours: 11:00~22:00

Although "Soonnam Siraegi (순남시래기)" is located in the basement, it is not too difficult to find because of its large entracne. It has also been interviewed by one of the popular Korean TV food shows "Tasty Road (테이스티 로드)".

Like the name of the store, the most famous meal here is Siraegi (시래기, dry cabbage soup), but we also recommend a meal that lets you enjoy meat at the same time, "Doma sliced meat set meal (도마수육정식)". You can eat very full.

They serve a high quality meat. With the Doma Sliced Meat Set Meal (도마수육정식), you will be served with basic side dishes, dried cabbage soup, rice and meat, etc. The meat is to be wrapped with pickled radish or basil leaves according to personal preference. Enjoy~

There are a lot of yummy side dishes here - all you can eat, but if you have leftovers, you are subject to a fine, so please eat as much as you can.

Dongdae Chicken Soup Treehouse (동대 닭한마리 등나무집)

Address: 서울 중구 서애로 16-5

Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00~23:00
Weekends: 11:00~22:00

"Dongdae chicken soup tree house" is located at the alley next to Exit 1 of Chungmuro Station. It is also a gourmet restaurant presented in "SBS Today". Their signature menu is a "One Chicken soup (닭한마리)".

The menu is served with special sauce and usually 2 to 3 people's are sold for 21,000KRW.

Please make sure that you follow the steps below to enjoy their authentic sauce. The staff might help you if needed. 

How to make the special sauce:

1. Add chili sauce and mustard sauce
2. Top the sauce with soy sauce in a bucket
3. Add leek and stir well
4. Enjoy chicken with the sauce!

It takes a little time for the chicken to cook. Once you see other vegetables are cooked well, let the chicken cook for another five minutes. The rice cake inside is originally cooked first, so you can eat the rice cake before the chicken is cooked. 

Pildong Myeonok (필동면옥)

Address: 서울 중구 서애로 26

Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11:00~21:00
Sun: Closed

"Pildong Myeon-ok" is a gourmet restaurant that was introduced by the Michelin Guide. It is also one of the "Seoul 4 Authentic Noodle Shops" in South Korea.

Every lunch time, nearby office workers will come here to queue up to eat cold noodles, you can feel how famous this is. Although the price is a bit expensive, but it is really worth lining up for tasting, recommend everyone to give it a try.

There is also a very important point! The cold noodles are all Pyongyang-style. The characteristic is that the soup is light and the noodle itself has no taste (!). If the taste of the person is relatively heavy, the Pyongyang-style cold noodles may not be appetizing.

The cold noodles are recommended for a friend who is afraid of too much taste. There is also a dumpling. If you enjoy it with dumplings, it becomes legit yummy.