Photo by Robyn Lee of Serious EatsFolks, I love getting letters and I'm happy to help you out with your enjoyment of Seoul. I'll try to help you out if I can and I try to answer comments and letters as soon as possible.
I recently received this letter from a traveler from Bangkok.
Hello Daniel,Dear Kratai,
I have been your following your page for a while and find it very interesting and great to ppl who enjoy eating ^ ^
Do you mind if I ask some information of some restaurants that you may recommend me to check it out.
I would like to ask you about the good restaurant for Jjim Dak, Seollongtang, Sujebi....in Seoul that i can expereince more.
I will be in Seoul soon, if you don't mind, Please tell me...
Thank you very much.
Kratai ^ ^
For Jjimdak, there is a famous Andong Jjimdak chain throughout Seoul. The original restaurant is found in Hyewha: Here are the directions:
To get to Andong Jjim Ddak in Hyehwa, go out exit 4 and left out the exit up the shopping street. You'll pass the CGV and Gandalf statue there, and reach the end of the street. From there turn left, walk about five minutes and you'll see the restaurant. It's usually quite busy so you might have to wait, but you can also order carry out. They have three different sizes depending on how many people are eating at your table. They'll probably warn you that it's spicy; either let them know it's okay or they can make it milder. (Thanks Sonja)
For Seolleongtang, my favorite places are Woo Jae Oak over by Eujiro 4-ga exit 4. I think they have great broth. Another great place is Nampo (02-541-0808)over by Hakdong Station exit 10. It's sooooo good.
As for Sujebi, you have to go to Samcheongdong Sujebi. It's the best for so many reasons.
I hope that helps and be sure to contact me if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Dan
Samcheongdong Sujebi is supremely overrated in my opinion (it was a favourite of former president Kim Young-sam? Must be because of its proximity to the Blue House). I go there every couple of years to make sure (been there about 6 times over a decade), have tried both the regular and sesame, to ask myself -- why the hype? The dough is too thick, the clam broth quite bland, and kimchi is mediocre. A good little neighborhood secret is a hole-in-the-wall place behind Hyundai dept store in Shinchon just called "Sujebi" in hangul lettering -- about seven tables inside and a couple outside. You'll know it by the line-up out at the door and 3 grandmothers working the kitchen. huge tubs of ggakdoogi (spicy pickled radish) outside. Now *that's* the real thing. They open at 11:30am and line-ups already forming at 11:45. If you don't want to wait go after 2 or 3pm. But they close early, maybe 7ish? It's the sujebi of my dreams.
ReplyDeleteDear Helen, I'll be sure to check out the place in Shinchon. I think I've passed it before, but I didn't know that it was all that. Thanks for the tip and keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteDan