MatJibs-02

neighborhood restaurants in Tourist spots

Gwanghwamun and Jongro areas are very close to each other, known for tourist spots. Meanwhile, it’s also the origin of the office complex area, where almost every Korean dreams of working at least once. The place looks only occupied by fancy restaurants or bars. Because it’s an office area, you can find small BaekBanJib (neighborhood restaurants) which sell Korean-style meals at affordable prices. HwangSoGoJib is one of those.

NoPo(Historical restaurant)

The exterior of HwangSoGoJib is humble compared to the surrounding fancy restaurants due to its 30 years history. Inside, the restaurant is small and narrow, with only round tables for four people and plastic chairs. This setup is commonly seen in PoJangMaCha, the tent-style restaurants. Despite the uncomfortable table setting, the tables are usually occupied with people, even upstairs.

Specialized in GoChuJang BulGoGi

HwangSoGoJib specializes in one menu item: GoChuJang BulGoGi. BulGoGi is the quintessential Korean dish, typically marinated in a sweet soybean sauce for hours and grilled at the table. However, HwangSoGoJib’s version is different. They marinate their pork in GoChuJang, the beloved Korean red pepper paste, and charbroil it near the entrance. To me, it’s closer to JeYukBokEum (stir-fried marinated pork) than BulGoGi, but that doesn’t matter because it’s delicious enough. 
While people wait for their GoChuJang BulGoGi, side dishes are served. The table is set in a very traditional manner, with a bowl of steamed rice, soup, 4-5 side dishes, lettuce for Ssam (wrapping BulGoGi), and SsamJang (sauce for wrapping Bulgogi). It can be a meal on its own, but paired with GoChuJang BulGoGi, it creates a perfect harmony for the day. 

Affordable price

All the meals are around 10,000 won here, but for lunch in 2024, it’s only 8,000 won, still maintaining an affordable price. They do not sell alcohol during lunchtime to maintain a clean atmosphere. However, after 3 PM, their offerings change slightly. Dinner starts then, and they only sell GoChuJang BulGoGi for 8,000 won. For GongGiBab (steamed rice), it needs to be ordered separately for 1,000 won, but it’s still cheaper than other places around here. Additionally, we can order pork DuRuChiGi (stir-fried pork) and some alcohol for dinner. 

Recommentation

For tourists, I don’t recommend arriving here during lunchtime, as it’s busy with office workers. Instead, visit around 5 PM for an early dinner to enjoy the food in a relaxed atmosphere. 

Information

Opening hours

10:30 ~ 21:00 (Closed on Sunday)

Price range

Lunch 10:30~15:00
GoChuJang BulGoGi BaekBan 8,000
Add extra GoChuJang BulGoGi for 6,000 
Dinner 15:00~21:00
GoChuJang BulGoGi 8,000
Pork DuRuChiGi 25,000
GongGiBab 1,000
BokEumBab 2,000
Alcohol
5,000~8,000

Address

11-11 Gwancheol-dong Jongno-gu Seoul

EZsPEDIA © 2024 by YUNMI LEE is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0