Countless tourists all over the world come to Gwangjang Market to enjoy its variety of Korean foods and culture. Even many locals love Gwangjang Market for its food scenes. In this vast market crammed with people, lies a distinctive restaurant.
Jinju Yukhoe, a store which only true Koreans would eat in. I say this because the food served here is not something you could eat anywhere else in the world.
Information
Address: 서울 종로구 동호로 403-22
Hours: Everyday 10:00 - 00:00
Review
As soon as I entered Gwangjang Market, it was packed with people. People were sitting on the food stall, people walking, people everywhere. But I didn't panic and started to move slowly to my destination.
Jinju Yukhoe has been in the market for 30 years and is a store I stumbled across accidentally. There are hundreds of reviews of this place on the Internet, and nearly all of the comments were praises. At the end of my experience, I understood the secret behind its unforgettable taste.
There are 2 floors and the waiters were very kind. I noticed most of the customers at the restaurant were men who were pairing the food with alcohol.
The menu is available in Chinese, Japanese, English, and Korean, so there is no problem with ordering. I ordered a yukhoe (raw beef), nokdujeon (mung bean pancakes), liver, tripe of beef and a bottle of makgeolli (rice wine).
Their portion of food here is excellent, and the price reasonable. This was my first Gwangjang Market gourmet restaurant, and I knew I would visit again in the future.
Yukhoe (Raw Beef) ₩ 15,000
The colour of raw beef is simply beautiful, dark red with egg yolk, with a little sesame oil, and pear slices hidden at the bottom. It tasted really fresh and wonderful.
Liver, Tripe of Beef ₩13,000
I know this can look unappetising, but it was very sweet and surprisingly good. If you are afraid of trying raw liver, dip it in sesame oil, and it will taste more rich and layered. The tripe is pretty chewy and it was also strangely sweet. I say strangely as I did not expect tripe to be sweet. I know for a fact that for a liver and tripe to taste this good, it has to be fresh. Meaning their food is top-quality.
Nokdujeon (Mung Bean Pancakes) ₩ 5,000
To be honest, the nokdujeon at Jinju Yukhoe is not cheap, but it is different from the average roadside stall. I guarantee the oil consumption of this nokdujeon to be almost non-existent. When I took a bite, it was something I've never tasted. It tasted faintly burnt, but it was delicious. So I ordered another round. Maybe that's why they're not cheap.
Nokdujeon, accompanied by yukhoe is a must-try at Jinju Yukhoe. Plus, with a glass of refreshing makgeolli, it could be one of the greatest meals of your life. If you truly want to feel like a local, you should dine at this place and experience the full Korean vibe.
