Essentials
Money in Korea
Best exchange rates, ATMs & how to pay
Read guide →Korean cuisine (hansik) is built around balance — fermented sides (banchan), a steaming bowl of rice, and a main dish that changes with the season. Meals are served all at once rather than in courses, and sharing dishes at the table is the norm. The depth of flavor comes from slow-fermented pastes like doenjang (soybean) and gochujang (chili), which form the backbone of soups, stews, and marinades across the country.
Gangdong-gu in southeastern Seoul is a family-oriented district known for its community markets and traditional Korean restaurants. Cheonho Market offers one of Seoul's best selections of traditional banchan, grilled fish, and home-style Korean cooking away from the tourist circuit.
Ordered it for takeout. They gave me a larger portion than I would have gotten if I had eaten in. It tasted like the Sundaeguk we're familiar with. The nearby *** Sundaeguk is stronger, so it seems to be relatively underrated.
Great soondae soup. I'd give it a 9 out of 10. The broth is milky, and mixing in the seasoning makes it a bit spicy. Good balance of soondae and gopchang. They serve chives, raw onion, and garlic on the side. About 8 tables inside, and the staff were friendly and helpful.
Korean blogger posts. Links open original posts on Naver.
Soolguk and assorted (boiled pork + sundae)... Please refer to the photo for the menu and prices~
