Insadong Sujebi
A spartan menu is so often indicative of good food and this proves to be the case at at this popular Insadong eatery named for its signature dish. The restaurant's sujebi is a hearty soup of chewy, hand-torn flour dumplings in a garlicky oyster broth that's simmered for several hours to extract the ingredients' well-balanced flavors. The soup pairs nicely with the all-you-can-eat radish and cabbage kimchi, served by cantankerous but conscientious middle-aged women in aprons. Although the soup is filling enough on its own, it would be a crime to miss out on the seafood pajeon, a crunchy, savory pancake smothered in green onions and bits of octopus. Wash it all down with a bowl—yes, a bowl—of dongdongju (a light, refreshing alcohol made from rice) and you will have experienced the trifecta of Koreans' go-to rainy day meal. Insadong Sujebi's interior is as memorable as its food, with lots of wooden accents, a wall stacked floor to ceiling with clay pots, and a traditional floor-seating area. The entire neighborhood is a treasure trove of restaurants serving up tasty traditional meals, but the best ones, like Insadong Sujebi, are hidden in the winding alleys that stretch out from the Insadong's main street. For those brave enough to navigate these enchanting walkways, gastronomic goodness awaits.
A spartan menu is so often indicative of good food and this proves to be the case at at this popular Insadong eatery named for its signature dish. The restaurant's sujebi is a hearty soup of chewy, hand-torn flour dumplings in a garlicky oyster broth that's simmered for several hours to extract the ingredients' well-balanced flavors. The soup pairs nicely with the all-you-can-eat radish and cabbage kimchi, served by cantankerous but conscientious middle-aged women in aprons. Although the soup is filling enough on its own, it would be a crime to miss out on the seafood pajeon, a crunchy, savory pancake smothered in green onions and bits of octopus. Wash it all down with a bowl—yes, a bowl—of dongdongju (a light, refreshing alcohol made from rice) and you will have experienced the trifecta of Koreans' go-to rainy day meal. Insadong Sujebi's interior is as memorable as its food, with lots of wooden accents, a wall stacked floor to ceiling with clay pots, and a traditional floor-seating area. The entire neighborhood is a treasure trove of restaurants serving up tasty traditional meals, but the best ones, like Insadong Sujebi, are hidden in the winding alleys that stretch out from the Insadong's main street. For those brave enough to navigate these enchanting walkways, gastronomic goodness awaits.
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