These are the lists of budget food in Seoul from JoongAng Daily and Korea Times that I have compiled. By means of budget, mostly it covers local Korean cuisine for less than 10,000 Won. (*price may change*)
1. Nakseo Pajeon - This is “monster pajeon”, Haemul (seafood) pajeon (6,000 won)
Picture by Superlocal
Located at the end of the “pajeon alley” in the Kyung Hee University neighborhood.
Address: Hwigyeong-dong, Dongdaemun District, Seoul
Subway: Hoegi Station, line No. 1, exit 1
Hours: 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week
2. Dalboggi - tteokbokki
Dalboggi also serves other street food-esque offerings, all priced at a very low 2,000 won
Address: 1st flr. 55-9 Cheongpa 2-ga, Yongsan
District, Seoul; located just outside main gate of Sookmyung Women’s University
Subway: Sookmyung Women’s Univ. Station, line No. 4, exit 10
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week
3. Lotte hotel food court
4. Seafood Kaljebi
Offers various noodle dishes, well known to the Korean public as "kalguksu'' or hand rolled noodles with a thick broth made with seafood, chicken or anchovies. The word "kaljebi'' is a combined form of "kalguksu'' and another local recipe, "sujebi'' .
Kalguksu is made of noodles that are hand rolled and cut with a sharp knife, "kal'' in Korean. "Guksu'' means noodles.
Seafood kaljebi (4,500 won) and the ordinary handmade kalgukso (4,500 won).
"Seafood Kaljebi'' is located behind the Kukdong Building near Chungmuro station on
subway line 3. It is closed on Sundays
Opening hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, call (02) 2277-5355 (Korean).
5. Ddong tuiguim, or fried excrement?
Picture by JoongAng Daily
Hahah..not like what you think! It is a kind of a croquet made of minced seafood and vegetables, deep fried in a mix of breadcrumbs and mashed potatoes. Ddong tuiguim (3,000 won for 4 pieces) is a well-known side-dish at Haemul Ddeokjjim 0410, a rising restaurant chain that specializes in spicy rice cakes with seafood.
“Haemul Ddeokjjim 0410” (02-2274-0412) is located in Dongdaemun, northern Seoul, right across from the Migliore shopping mall.
6. Shabu-Shabu at Hongdae
The basic beef shabu-shabu costs only 6,000 won ($4.70) per head, while the seafood option costs 8,000 won at lunch and 9,000 won at dinner. For both beef and seafood, expect to pay 14,000 won.
Jinsabu Shabu - Tel: (02) 332-0168
Address: 169-1 Donggyo-dong, Mapo District, northwest Seoul
Subway: Hongik University Station, line No. 2, exit 4
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week
7. Kamome Diner - Rice Balls (Onigiri)
Picture by JoongAng Daily
Sweetened anchovies and pan-fried walnuts. For 1,800 won
To get to Kamome, (02) 322-2311, walk toward Sinchon from the main gate of Hongik University.
The restaurant is on your right. Take Hongik University subway station, line No. 2.
8. Syrian deserts at Salam Bakery (Halal)
Baklava - deep-fried phyllo dough filled with crushed cashews, walnuts, pistachios and honey.
100 grams of which is 3,500 won tastes surprisingly familiar like yakgwa.
A warning for those venturing into the world of Syrian treats - baklava is extremely sweet, which is probably why they suggested to have it with dark tea or strong Turkish coffee to balance out the sugar.
Salam Bakery (02-383-7044) is on the left side of the road going to the Seoul Central Mosque. Go to Itaewon Station, line No. 6, exit 3.
9. Brownie at Seesaw
A brownie - 3,500 won
Seesaw is a cozy bistro located in Gwanghwamun in the midst of the downtown office buildings, tucked inside the ground floor of a luxury high-rise.
Seesaw (02-736-0177) is located right across from Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul.
10. Italian pasta at O'wall
oven spaghetti , shrimp broccoli cream pasta, caprese salad - 10,000 won each
tomato penne - 9,000 won
Hours: 5 to 11 p.m. on Mondays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays
Phone: (02) 391-4418
Address: 314-1 Buam-dong, Jongno District, Seoul (Next to Buam-dong office, on the road from Jahamun Tunnel)
Subway: Not advised; take a cab
11. Grilled Fist at the Original Gogalbi
Go to Hoehyeon Underground Shopping Center Exit 5 and turn right at the first alley. The center is connected to the Hoehyeong Station on subway line 4. For more information, call
(02) 733-9526
12. Encore Kalguksu
The most popular menu item is classic old-fashioned kalguksu. This noodle soup (5,500 won) is simple and sticks to the basics. The broth is made from anchovy and oyster with a handful of perilla seeds. With a filling portion and a clean aftertaste, it’s undoubtedly a place for encores of noodles.
*Encore Kalguksu, (02) 525 8418, is located across from Seoul Arts Center. Follow the alley next to Baeknyeonok. The restaurant is on your right. Open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
13. Nunnamujip - the kimchimaribap
Picture by KoreaTimes
4,500 won a bowl, has a light taste that doesn't overwhelm the palate. The kimchi soup is not at all spicy, with perhaps the sesame oil helping add flavor.
Go along the main road of Samcheong-dong. Nunnamujip is around 50 meters away from Yongsusan. It is right next to the Oz Kitchen restaurant.
14. Hyanggi Goeul
Roast mackerel - a simple Korean meal. Steamed rice, four side dishes and a roast fish.
*Hyanggi Goeul (02-795-1754) is located in Hannam-dong across from Mijin Fitness Center.
15. Chungmu Gimbab
Picture by JoongAng Daily
Seaweed-rolled rice (gimbab), in which the ingredients come outside rather than inside the seaweed packaging
For 5,000 won per order, the portion of squid was enough to feed two, and the pickled radish came in earthy chunks. A portion of sesame oil was served for dipping the rice.
The mix of seaweed, squid and pickled radish together was savory and filling.
Go to Myeong-dong Station, line No. 4, exit 8. Walk 10 minutes. The restaurant is by the back door to Utoo Zone shopping mall.
16. Doenjang Jjigae with ramyeon at Shimwon
Doenjang jjigae is 5,000 won per person and the ramyeon 1,000 won.
Shimwon is located right between exit 3 and 4 of Hoehyeon Station on subway line 4. The store
is closed on Sundays and holidays.
17. Homestyle Doenjang Bibimbap at Naegang
"doenjang bibimbap'" (steamed rice with vegetables and herbs topped with soybean paste).
The rice portion may seem small, but you can always ask for free refills
The doenjang bibimbap costs 5,500 won.
The restaurant is located in front of the Kolon building, behind City Hall, downtown Seoul. It is next to the Taepyeong-ro police station.
18. Different type of tteokbokki - Ttalkakbari
Cream sauce tteokbokki , the Japanese curry tteokbokki and the basic red tteokbokki (each 3,500 won).
To get to Ttalkakbari, get off at Chungmuro station on subway line 3 or 4 and walk out from exit 1 until you find the SK gas station on your right and turn right. Walk straight until you find the restaurant, located uphill on your left. For more information, call (02) 2267-7009 or visit http://blog.naver.com/kija11
19. Cold Soba at Yurim
The cold buckwheat noodles (6,000 won) are served on two layers of a bamboo sieve with a sauce, a basket of chopped scallions and shredded radish on the side.
Nabeyaki udon (noodle soup in a hot pot) and zaru soba (cold buckwheat noodle with a sauce for sipping). A Korean-style udon has crown daisy in it. The peculiar herbal scent overpowers the anchovy broth, which has a stronger soy sauce flavor than the Japanese version. Other ingredients are familiar like shiitake mushrooms, as are the egg and fish cakes stay the same.
Go to City Hall station, line No. 2, exit 1 and walk five minutes toward Deoksu Palace. The restaurant is located on a small alley behind First Fire and Marine Insurance, past Korean Air headquarters near City Hall. For more information, call (02) 755-0659.
20. Soybean noodles at When Buckwheat Flowers Blossom
soybean noodles (5,000), which were accompanied by kimchi and cubed radish kimchi.
The soybean buckwheat noodles were served in a cold soymilk based broth, accompanied by shredded cucumbers and Asian pears
Located near exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung on subway line 4.
21. Korean style ramyeon at Nenassi's Noodle Bar
"Doenjang ramyeon'' (3,500 won), as one can easily imagine from the name, has "doenjang'' (fermented soy paste) as its base for the soup. This is recommended for those who do not like spicy soup.
"Haejang ramyeon'' (3,500 won) is made with "bugeo'' or dried pollack. "Haejang'' literally means "chasing a hangover'' and pollack is believed to be one of the most effective ingredients for getting rid of a hangover.
A rice ball and two boiled eggs are offered for free, as well as a glass of iced tea
Take subway lines No. 4 or 7 to Nowon Station and take exit 6. It is about 100 meters away from the exit. Open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
22. Patbingsu at Uhmji Bean
Located in Seorae Village in Bangbae-dong, the small shop offers the best of beans, from coffee beans to their specialty, red beans.
"Uhmji'' literally means "thumb'' in Korean, and like the fairy tale character Thumbelina, the shop is indeed tiny.
Uhmji Bean's specialty is the "pat'' or red bean. In the winter, it offers "patjuk'' or red bean porridge (4,000 won and served from October to April), which is perfect to warm oneself up in chilly weather.
In the summer, however, the shop offers patbingsu (4,000 won and served from March to October)
Located on the main street of Seorae Village. Walk straight toward Bangbae middle school until you find the Uhmji Bean on your right next to Woori Bank.
23. Sigol Yachae Doenjang
Doenjang jjigae, or soybean paste soup comes sizzling hot in a black earthenware bowl. The best way to go about consuming this is taking an empty bowl and dumping in the contents of your stainless steel rice bowl, then mixing in helpings of the banchan, spoonfuls of doenjang jjigae, a
big squirt of sesame oil and a couple heaping scoops of gochujang, or chili pepper paste.
The result is a remix of very spicy bibimbap (literally, mixed rice) featuring a dose of vegetables.
Price: 10,000 won
English: None
Telephone: (02) 3482-7626
Subway: Gangnam Station, line No. 2, exit 6
Parking: Difficult to find, some on street
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week
24. Jayeon Maeul
Kimchi sujebi (4,500 won).
Sujebi is a soup with vegetables and dough flakes. In the soup, it had kimchi slices. The soup was simple and clean. The broth main base - clams.
Located in an underground floor of an anonymous building next to the Coffee Bean on the main alley leading to the university’s main gate , around “Edae” an abbreviated term for Ewha Womans University. The place is called Jayeon Maeul (02-312-3800), or a natural village in English.
1. Nakseo Pajeon - This is “monster pajeon”, Haemul (seafood) pajeon (6,000 won)
Picture by Superlocal
Located at the end of the “pajeon alley” in the Kyung Hee University neighborhood.
Address: Hwigyeong-dong, Dongdaemun District, Seoul
Subway: Hoegi Station, line No. 1, exit 1
Hours: 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week
2. Dalboggi - tteokbokki
Dalboggi also serves other street food-esque offerings, all priced at a very low 2,000 won
Address: 1st flr. 55-9 Cheongpa 2-ga, Yongsan
District, Seoul; located just outside main gate of Sookmyung Women’s University
Subway: Sookmyung Women’s Univ. Station, line No. 4, exit 10
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week
3. Lotte hotel food court
4. Seafood Kaljebi
Offers various noodle dishes, well known to the Korean public as "kalguksu'' or hand rolled noodles with a thick broth made with seafood, chicken or anchovies. The word "kaljebi'' is a combined form of "kalguksu'' and another local recipe, "sujebi'' .
Kalguksu is made of noodles that are hand rolled and cut with a sharp knife, "kal'' in Korean. "Guksu'' means noodles.
Seafood kaljebi (4,500 won) and the ordinary handmade kalgukso (4,500 won).
"Seafood Kaljebi'' is located behind the Kukdong Building near Chungmuro station on
subway line 3. It is closed on Sundays
Opening hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, call (02) 2277-5355 (Korean).
5. Ddong tuiguim, or fried excrement?
Picture by JoongAng Daily
Hahah..not like what you think! It is a kind of a croquet made of minced seafood and vegetables, deep fried in a mix of breadcrumbs and mashed potatoes. Ddong tuiguim (3,000 won for 4 pieces) is a well-known side-dish at Haemul Ddeokjjim 0410, a rising restaurant chain that specializes in spicy rice cakes with seafood.
“Haemul Ddeokjjim 0410” (02-2274-0412) is located in Dongdaemun, northern Seoul, right across from the Migliore shopping mall.
6. Shabu-Shabu at Hongdae
The basic beef shabu-shabu costs only 6,000 won ($4.70) per head, while the seafood option costs 8,000 won at lunch and 9,000 won at dinner. For both beef and seafood, expect to pay 14,000 won.
Jinsabu Shabu - Tel: (02) 332-0168
Address: 169-1 Donggyo-dong, Mapo District, northwest Seoul
Subway: Hongik University Station, line No. 2, exit 4
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week
7. Kamome Diner - Rice Balls (Onigiri)
Picture by JoongAng Daily
Sweetened anchovies and pan-fried walnuts. For 1,800 won
To get to Kamome, (02) 322-2311, walk toward Sinchon from the main gate of Hongik University.
The restaurant is on your right. Take Hongik University subway station, line No. 2.
8. Syrian deserts at Salam Bakery (Halal)
Baklava - deep-fried phyllo dough filled with crushed cashews, walnuts, pistachios and honey.
100 grams of which is 3,500 won tastes surprisingly familiar like yakgwa.
A warning for those venturing into the world of Syrian treats - baklava is extremely sweet, which is probably why they suggested to have it with dark tea or strong Turkish coffee to balance out the sugar.
Salam Bakery (02-383-7044) is on the left side of the road going to the Seoul Central Mosque. Go to Itaewon Station, line No. 6, exit 3.
9. Brownie at Seesaw
A brownie - 3,500 won
Seesaw is a cozy bistro located in Gwanghwamun in the midst of the downtown office buildings, tucked inside the ground floor of a luxury high-rise.
Seesaw (02-736-0177) is located right across from Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul.
10. Italian pasta at O'wall
oven spaghetti , shrimp broccoli cream pasta, caprese salad - 10,000 won each
tomato penne - 9,000 won
Hours: 5 to 11 p.m. on Mondays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays
Phone: (02) 391-4418
Address: 314-1 Buam-dong, Jongno District, Seoul (Next to Buam-dong office, on the road from Jahamun Tunnel)
Subway: Not advised; take a cab
11. Grilled Fist at the Original Gogalbi
Go to Hoehyeon Underground Shopping Center Exit 5 and turn right at the first alley. The center is connected to the Hoehyeong Station on subway line 4. For more information, call
(02) 733-952612. Encore Kalguksu
The most popular menu item is classic old-fashioned kalguksu. This noodle soup (5,500 won) is simple and sticks to the basics. The broth is made from anchovy and oyster with a handful of perilla seeds. With a filling portion and a clean aftertaste, it’s undoubtedly a place for encores of noodles.
*Encore Kalguksu, (02) 525 8418, is located across from Seoul Arts Center. Follow the alley next to Baeknyeonok. The restaurant is on your right. Open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
13. Nunnamujip - the kimchimaribap
Picture by KoreaTimes
4,500 won a bowl, has a light taste that doesn't overwhelm the palate. The kimchi soup is not at all spicy, with perhaps the sesame oil helping add flavor.
Go along the main road of Samcheong-dong. Nunnamujip is around 50 meters away from Yongsusan. It is right next to the Oz Kitchen restaurant.
14. Hyanggi Goeul
Roast mackerel - a simple Korean meal. Steamed rice, four side dishes and a roast fish.
*Hyanggi Goeul (02-795-1754) is located in Hannam-dong across from Mijin Fitness Center.
15. Chungmu Gimbab
Picture by JoongAng Daily
Seaweed-rolled rice (gimbab), in which the ingredients come outside rather than inside the seaweed packaging
For 5,000 won per order, the portion of squid was enough to feed two, and the pickled radish came in earthy chunks. A portion of sesame oil was served for dipping the rice.
The mix of seaweed, squid and pickled radish together was savory and filling.
Go to Myeong-dong Station, line No. 4, exit 8. Walk 10 minutes. The restaurant is by the back door to Utoo Zone shopping mall.
16. Doenjang Jjigae with ramyeon at Shimwon
Doenjang jjigae is 5,000 won per person and the ramyeon 1,000 won.
Shimwon is located right between exit 3 and 4 of Hoehyeon Station on subway line 4. The store
is closed on Sundays and holidays.
17. Homestyle Doenjang Bibimbap at Naegang
"doenjang bibimbap'" (steamed rice with vegetables and herbs topped with soybean paste).
The rice portion may seem small, but you can always ask for free refills
The doenjang bibimbap costs 5,500 won.
The restaurant is located in front of the Kolon building, behind City Hall, downtown Seoul. It is next to the Taepyeong-ro police station.
18. Different type of tteokbokki - Ttalkakbari
Cream sauce tteokbokki , the Japanese curry tteokbokki and the basic red tteokbokki (each 3,500 won).
To get to Ttalkakbari, get off at Chungmuro station on subway line 3 or 4 and walk out from exit 1 until you find the SK gas station on your right and turn right. Walk straight until you find the restaurant, located uphill on your left. For more information, call (02) 2267-7009 or visit http://blog.naver.com/kija11
19. Cold Soba at Yurim
The cold buckwheat noodles (6,000 won) are served on two layers of a bamboo sieve with a sauce, a basket of chopped scallions and shredded radish on the side.
Nabeyaki udon (noodle soup in a hot pot) and zaru soba (cold buckwheat noodle with a sauce for sipping). A Korean-style udon has crown daisy in it. The peculiar herbal scent overpowers the anchovy broth, which has a stronger soy sauce flavor than the Japanese version. Other ingredients are familiar like shiitake mushrooms, as are the egg and fish cakes stay the same.
Go to City Hall station, line No. 2, exit 1 and walk five minutes toward Deoksu Palace. The restaurant is located on a small alley behind First Fire and Marine Insurance, past Korean Air headquarters near City Hall. For more information, call (02) 755-0659.
20. Soybean noodles at When Buckwheat Flowers Blossom
soybean noodles (5,000), which were accompanied by kimchi and cubed radish kimchi.
The soybean buckwheat noodles were served in a cold soymilk based broth, accompanied by shredded cucumbers and Asian pears
Located near exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung on subway line 4.
21. Korean style ramyeon at Nenassi's Noodle Bar
"Doenjang ramyeon'' (3,500 won), as one can easily imagine from the name, has "doenjang'' (fermented soy paste) as its base for the soup. This is recommended for those who do not like spicy soup.
"Haejang ramyeon'' (3,500 won) is made with "bugeo'' or dried pollack. "Haejang'' literally means "chasing a hangover'' and pollack is believed to be one of the most effective ingredients for getting rid of a hangover.
A rice ball and two boiled eggs are offered for free, as well as a glass of iced tea
Take subway lines No. 4 or 7 to Nowon Station and take exit 6. It is about 100 meters away from the exit. Open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
22. Patbingsu at Uhmji Bean
Located in Seorae Village in Bangbae-dong, the small shop offers the best of beans, from coffee beans to their specialty, red beans.
"Uhmji'' literally means "thumb'' in Korean, and like the fairy tale character Thumbelina, the shop is indeed tiny.
Uhmji Bean's specialty is the "pat'' or red bean. In the winter, it offers "patjuk'' or red bean porridge (4,000 won and served from October to April), which is perfect to warm oneself up in chilly weather.
In the summer, however, the shop offers patbingsu (4,000 won and served from March to October)
Located on the main street of Seorae Village. Walk straight toward Bangbae middle school until you find the Uhmji Bean on your right next to Woori Bank.
23. Sigol Yachae Doenjang
Doenjang jjigae, or soybean paste soup comes sizzling hot in a black earthenware bowl. The best way to go about consuming this is taking an empty bowl and dumping in the contents of your stainless steel rice bowl, then mixing in helpings of the banchan, spoonfuls of doenjang jjigae, a
big squirt of sesame oil and a couple heaping scoops of gochujang, or chili pepper paste.
The result is a remix of very spicy bibimbap (literally, mixed rice) featuring a dose of vegetables.
Price: 10,000 won
English: None
Telephone: (02) 3482-7626
Subway: Gangnam Station, line No. 2, exit 6
Parking: Difficult to find, some on street
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week
24. Jayeon Maeul
Kimchi sujebi (4,500 won).
Sujebi is a soup with vegetables and dough flakes. In the soup, it had kimchi slices. The soup was simple and clean. The broth main base - clams.
Located in an underground floor of an anonymous building next to the Coffee Bean on the main alley leading to the university’s main gate , around “Edae” an abbreviated term for Ewha Womans University. The place is called Jayeon Maeul (02-312-3800), or a natural village in English.
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