Ttoganjip's Top 5 Food Picks
- Ilsan Kalguksu — rich, soulful chicken broth
- 100% domestic soy cold noodle specialist — Yeouido's 'Jinjujip'
- Original beef noodle soup with a rich yet clean broth, Jongno's 'Uyukmyeon-gwan Cheonggyecheon Branch'
- Vibrant, layered flavors — Ilsan's 'Popolo Pizza'
- Undisputed Korean samgyetang classic, Gyeongbokgung's 'Tosokchon'
There’s always a reason you keep going back to certain restaurants: honest flavors that linger and a cozy vibe that makes you stay. The places handpicked by YouTuber Pungja fit that bill perfectly. Her candid reviews and repeat visits have built a trust that acts as a seal of approval. Below are five Pungja-approved spots where you can feel that charm for yourself.
Ilsan Kalguksu — rich, soulful chicken broth
Now in its 40th year, Ilsan Kalguksu draws crowds every day from Goyang and beyond. The standout is a deeply flavored chicken stock, brightened with clams for extra umami. The steaming bowl often makes diners crave a drink, but the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol — so many customers buy the broth to take home. If you’d love kalguksu with soju, packing it to-go and enjoying it at home is a handy tip.
| More on 'Ilsan Kalguksu' at SikSin
- ▲Location
467 Gyeongui-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province
- ▲Hours
Daily 10:00 AM–7:30 PM
- ▲Menu
Chicken Kalguksu 10,000 KRW (≈ USD $7.50)
100% domestic soy cold noodle specialist — Yeouido's 'Jinjujip'
'Jinjujip' is legendary among Yeouido office workers — widely credited as the origin of the thick, creamy cold soybean noodle that's a summer must. The soy broth is nutty and full-bodied but clean, with none of the off-putting beany notes, so it’s easy to enjoy. It arrives without extra toppings, which only makes it more addictive. Beyond the soybean noodles, Jinjujip is known for bibim guksu, dumplings, and a standout yukgaejang that’s worth ordering.
| More on 'Jinjujip' at SikSin
- ✔Location
B1, 33 Gukjegeumyung-ro 6-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
- ✔Hours
Weekdays 10:00 AM–8:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM–7:00 PM, closed Sunday
- ✔Menu
Cold Soybean Noodles 15,000 KRW (≈ USD $11.25), Bibim Guksu 12,000 KRW (≈ USD $9.00), Chicken Kalguksu 12,000 KRW (≈ USD $9.00)
Original beef noodle soup — Jongno's 'Uyukmyeon-gwan Cheonggyecheon Branch'
Trained to recreate mainland China's best beef noodle soup, this spot serves an authentic, original bowl. The broth is hearty but surprisingly clean, while the beef is tender and satisfying — the whole bowl goes down easily. If you like bold herbal notes, try it with added cilantro.
| More on 'Uyukmyeon-gwan Cheonggyecheon Branch' at SikSin
- ✔Location
75-2 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- ✔Hours
Daily 11:00 AM–8:30 PM
- ✔Menu
Uyukmyeon 12,000 KRW (≈ USD $9.00), Su-gyo 8,000 KRW (≈ USD $6.00)
A mix of vibrant flavors — Ilsan's 'Popolo Pizza'
Popolo Pizza delivers classic Neapolitan-style pies, fired at nearly 500°C (about 932°F) in a wood-burning oven so the crust stays moist and chewy. The signature Bismarck — tomato sauce, mozzarella, mortadella, truffle oil, and a soft-cooked egg — is worth ordering: pierce the runny yolk and use it as a dip for each slice. The truffle's aroma, salty sausage, melty cheese, and silky yolk create a layered flavor experience. Also try the Spaghetti al Pesto di Rucola, tossed with arugula pesto and finely chopped honey-black olives for a bright, peppery kick.
| More on 'Popolo Pizza' at SikSin
- ✔Location
47 Jeongbalsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province
- ✔Hours
Daily 11:30 AM–9:30 PM, weekday break 3:30 PM–5:00 PM, closed Monday
- ✔Prices
Caprese Salad 15,200 KRW (≈ USD $11.40), Margherita con Bufala 17,200 KRW (≈ USD $12.90)
Undisputed Korean samgyetang classic — Gyeongbokgung's 'Tosokchon'
Tosokchon is one of Seoul's most iconic samgyetang restaurants. Set in a space that echoes a traditional hanok, it serves tidy, speedy bowls that are full of flavor. Their young-chicken samgyetang is especially popular: the broth gets a nutty, rich depth from 4-year-old ginseng, domestic jujubes, pumpkin seeds, ginkgo, black sesame, and other herbs and nuts ground into the stock. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients, Tosokchon delivers a restorative dish that truly stands on its own.
See more on 'Tosokchon' at SikSin▶
- ▲Location
Tosokchon, 5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- ▲Hours
Daily 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
- ▲Prices
Tosokchon Samgyetang 20,000 KRW (≈ USD $15.00), Otgye-tang 20,000 KRW (≈ USD $15.00)
