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Namsan Kimchi jjigae Restaurant ( 남산 김치찌개 식당) in the Itaewon-2 dong area won’t offer you a menu when you walk in the front door and that’s because they only cook one thing and one thing only, their famous kimchi jjigae. All you have to do is tell them how many you want and grab a stool. Even at the busiest times the food is served within minutes. This small family run restaurant has been serving its customers the same quality kimchi jjigae since 2003 when it first opened. “Our secret to success is the consistency in the taste,” said owner Jang, Pyeong-gu.

As you walk into the small eatery the side walls are lined with frames each containing a signature of a famous Korean celebrity who has eaten at the restaurant. This restaurant was also featured on several famous Korean Television shows. For seven years now they see the same customers eat here on a regular basis and new customers often find out by word of mouth.

Front of the Namsan Kimchi Jjigae Restaurant - Photo by Kevin J. Brenneman

This spicy kimchi stew (김치 찌개) is boiled on an open flame in a traditional stone pot (뚝배기). It is served with rice (밥), a staple of Korean cuisine. Also, on each table there are four brown stone bowls full of side dishes (반찬), which include mumalraengi (무말랭이), ggakdugi (깍두기), gongnamul (공나물), and small salted sheets of seaweed (김). The rice and side dishes (반찬) are unlimited. After the first bowl of rice you are responsible to get further refills yourself (셀프). Grab a cup and help yourself to a cup of tea or instant coffee. They make one thing and they make it well. This meal is simple, quick, and consistent and will only cost you 5,500 won.

In the future Jang, Pyeong-gu and his family said they plan on opening other Namsan Kimchi jjigae branches around Seoul. The Namsan Kimchi jjigae Itaewon branch (남산 김치 찌개 이태원본점) is located about 100 meters down the hill and across the street from exit 2 of Noksapyeong Station (녹사평역 ) on the brown line. It opens at 5 am and closes at 10 pm year round.

Written by Kevin J. Brenneman

Translator Jang I Jin

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