"Non-spicy" Korean gourmet that is attracting attention in Seoul. 10 famous restaurants that you want to visit

A classic Korean dish that is not spicy and delicious

Korean food has an image of being spicy, but in fact there are many classic dishes that are mild and have a deep flavor. We will introduce a carefully selected list of comforting Korean gourmet foods that you will want to eat again and again.

[Dakhanmari] Sambok Korean medicine Dakhanmari, featured on Japanese TV programs

"Dakhanmari," which means "whole chicken" in Korean, is a classic Korean hot pot dish that is rich in collagen and healthy for the body. Chicken on the bone is simmered until it is tender, and then simmered with chives, potatoes, rice cakes, etc., to infuse the soup with rich flavor. As the name suggests, it contains a whole chicken, so it is recommended to share it.

Dakgalbi is usually made with a clear chicken-based soup, but Sambok Korean Dakgalbi is a specialty restaurant that serves soups made with a blend of Korean herbal medicines. The black soup is not as strong as it looks, and has a clean taste. You can also change the flavor by adding vinegar, mustard, or gochujang to the special sauce, which comes with chive kimchi. The nearest station is Hoegi Station, which is known as a student town and is a little far from the main tourist spots, but the restaurant has also been featured on Japanese television programs, making it a popular restaurant among tourists.

Sambok Korean herbal medicine Dakgalbi

[Seolleongtang] "Sinchon Seolleongtang" is a dish with a gentle taste and concentrated flavor.

"Seolleongtang" is a cloudy soup made by simmering beef bones and meat for a long time. It looks simple, but it is a nutritious dish with concentrated flavor. The standard way to eat it is to add rice and green onions, and adjust the flavor with salt and kimchi.

As its name suggests, "Sinchon Seolleongtang" is a popular chain restaurant originating from the Shinchon area. The Seoul Square branch near Seoul Station is easily accessible and recommended for travelers. The soup is simmered for a long time, and is refreshing yet rich, so it won't leave you feeling heavy after a meal. The simple, timeless flavor is perfect for those new to Korean cuisine. It's a great place to go for breakfast or a meal on your own.

Shinchon Seolleongtang Seoul Square Branch

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[Jeon] "Yon Daepo" where you can enjoy a wide variety of jeon

In Korea, the dish called "jeon" is the same as "chijimi" in Japan. It is a dish with a wide variety of variations, made by coating vegetables, seafood, meat, etc. with flour and egg batter. It is popular as a snack to go with alcohol, a home-cooked dish for special occasions, and as the sound of grilling jeon resembles the sound of rain, it is a dish to eat on rainy days.

"Yondaepo" is a jeon specialty restaurant near Yonsei University, where "Sinchon Seolleongtang" introduced in the previous article is located. They offer a wide variety of dishes, such as gamjajeong (potato pancake) topped with cheese and an assortment of several types of jeon, including zucchini and spam. The appetizing visuals are also eye-catching. The flavor of the ingredients is especially enhanced when eaten with the sour sauce. It is open until late at night, so it is perfect for sharing with friends and family. It is a gourmet spot with a local feel at night.

Yeong Cannon (Depot)

[Tteokbokki] "Anam" featured in Michelin

"Ddejigukbap" is a soul food that originated in the port city of Busan, where rice is added to a soup made by simmering pork for a long time. It is rich but not smelly, and depending on the restaurant, you can add salt and seasonings to make it to your liking, which is its appeal.

Anam is a popular restaurant featured in Michelin and is located in the Insadong area, where traditional houses line the streets of Seoul. It features two types of carefully prepared pork and a clear soup with no off-flavors. The rice is in the soup from the start, so it's best to eat it like soup rice. It's simple yet full of flavor, with a gentle taste that will soothe your soul.

Anam

Not yet known: The latest and most popular non-spicy Korean cuisine

Pay attention to the surprisingly deep gourmet food that is not spicy. Why not experience the gentle flavors and powerful ingredients of dishes that are not familiar in Japan and popular restaurants frequented by locals? On your next trip to Seoul, make a "connoisseur's dish" the centerpiece.

[Haejangguk] "Kibun" - Korean-style miso soup that is familiar to Japanese people

"Kipung" is a restaurant operated by "Anam" which we introduced in the previous article. Its signature dish is "Haejangguk", a soup made with stock from charcoal-grilled blue fish such as saury. It is also known as a food that cures hangovers. This restaurant uses a Korean miso called "Doenjang" as its base. The ingredients are the same as in Japan, such as soybeans, but the fermentation method and other processes are different, giving it a distinctive aroma similar to natto. It is familiar to Japanese tourists, but also has a deep Korean flavor.

One of the unique features of Kipun's Haejangguk is that it uses the thistle plant as an ingredient. The rich flavor of the thistle matches well with the doenjang sauce. In addition, it comes with local side dishes from various regions, such as kimchi made with mustard greens, which is eaten in southwestern Korea, so you can enjoy local Korean cuisine while in Seoul.

There are bar table seats available, so you can dine even alone. This is the perfect place for those who have eaten or drunk too much the day before, or for those looking for a home-style meal.

Kipun

[Makguksu] Made with 100% pure buckwheat flour "Gangnam Makguksu & Bossam"

"Makguksu" is a cold soba dish that originated in Gangwon-do, located in the northeastern part of Korea. It is characterized by thin buckwheat noodles that are eaten with cold soup. It has a smooth texture and a refreshing taste, making it perfect for when you are feeling fatigued in the summer or have no appetite.

「江南マッククス＆ポッサム」は、100％そば粉を使用した自家製麺が評判のお店。特にエゴマをたっぷり使った「エゴマ油マッククス」が人気のメニューです。こちらのお店は、エゴマ油と粉を混ぜるスタイルで提供しており、素朴なそばの風味と香ばしさが際立つ一品です。ポッサム（茹で豚）とのセットもおすすめで、ボリュームも満足感も抜群。江南のオフィス街でひとりでもサクッと食べられるスポットです。

Gangnam Makguksu & Bossam

[Sujebi] A sophisticated cafe-like shop, "Kal Seongsu Branch"

"Sujebi" is a Korean flour dumpling soup dish. It is a simple dish made by tearing kneaded wheat flour dough by hand, putting it in soup, and simmering it. It is a home-style dish that Koreans long for on rainy days because it warms the body when it gets cold from the rain, and the fluffy ingredients such as potatoes and zucchini and the chewy dough are addictive.

Located in the trendy Seongsu area, "Kal Seongsu Branch" is a new restaurant where you can enjoy sujebi in a sophisticated space. The restaurant, which resembles a Scandinavian cafe, serves clear soup carefully made from clams, kelp, and root vegetables, and chewy dough. The mild saltiness allows the flavor of the ingredients to spread gently. It also looks beautiful, and is recommended for those who want to have a new "food experience" in Korea.

Kal Seongsu Store

[Minari Yukhoe] Yukhoe with plenty of parsley is popular at "Nungdong Minari"

Minari is the Japanese word for parsley. It is fragrant and has a crunchy texture, and in Korea it is used not only as a side dish for yakiniku, but also in a wide range of dishes such as yukhoe and soups.

"Nungdong Minari Shin-Yongsan Branch" is a specialty restaurant that boasts menus that feature Minari. The popular "Minari Yukhoe" is a generous amount of fresh Minari topped with sweet and spicy beef Yukhoe. The balance of aroma and texture is exquisite. We also recommend "Minari Gomtang" stewed in Minari and beef bone soup. If you want to eat both, it's a good idea to share. The rich soup is complemented by the refreshing taste of Minari, so you won't get bored until the last bite. The nearest station is "Yongsan" station. This is an area where "HYBE", the management agency of BTS and others, and new shops are constantly opening, so it might be a good idea to visit while you're out and about with your favorite idols.

Neungdong Minari Shinyongsan Branch

[Miyeokguk] Oilje, a restaurant you'll want to visit on a special birthday

"Miyeokguk" refers to "seaweed soup" that is popular in Korea as a birthday or postpartum recovery food. It is rich in iron and minerals, is gentle on the body, and is a dish that gives you a sense of homely warmth. In Korea, it is common to eat miyeokguk on birthdays, and it is filled with the wish for the health and longevity of loved ones.

"Oilje" is a popular restaurant where you can experience this culture in a modern space. The interior is as sophisticated as a gallery, and the miyeokguk has an exquisite taste of refined broth and soft seaweed. In addition to the regular lunch, they also offer a special "birthday meal" on Friday nights. Experience a "memorable bowl" that you can only experience in Seoul. Reservations can be made through Instagram, so if you want to make sure you go, we recommend making a reservation.

Oilje

[Onbang] Sogam Onbang, a popular restaurant that Jaejoong also visited

"Ongban" (warm rice) in Korean is a home-cooked dish that originated in Pyongyang, North Korea, in which hot rice is topped with soup and ingredients and then mixed. Although it is not as showy as bibimbap, it is a nutritious dish that makes the most of the natural flavors of the ingredients, and can be said to be the "taste of home cooking" of Korea.

"Songam Onban" is a Korean restaurant that reinterprets traditional flavors with a modern sensibility. It has become a hot topic after K-Pop star Jaejoong visited the restaurant. It is a restaurant that is easy to visit alone, as well as with friends. The signature dish, "Onban," features beautifully presented pork that looks like flower petals, and the carefully made broth slowly seeps into the rice. It is a bowl that will soothe your mind and body after a day of walking around sightseeing.

Sogam Onban (warm rice with pineapple root)

Enjoy non-spicy Korean cuisine

Besides the well-known Korean cuisine, there are plenty of delicious dishes that are still unknown. One of the joys of traveling is trying new flavors you've never tried before.

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