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.
Seodaemun-gu houses Sinchon and Ewha — university neighborhoods known for affordable food, vibrant nightlife, and a youthful dining culture. The area is dense with budget-friendly Korean restaurants, late-night delivery options, and cafés that stay open until the early hours. It's a neighbourhood where eating well on a student budget is entirely achievable.
This is my second time here, and it's delicious. The owner is also very friendly. Today, I had the Heo Young-man Baekban Travel Set.
This restaurant is located in Naengcheon-dong, Seodaemun. It's become more popular after being featured on the TV show "Baekban Travel." It's famous for its grilled fish and gondre baekban (rice with rice topped with seaweed). For dinner, they grill meat and serve chicken stew, which is absolutely delicious. The deulmi-sal (pork neck meat) is a delicacy, but you should call ahead to confirm if it's available. I wanted to keep it to myself, but it seems like it's already a popular spot.
Korean blogger posts. Links open original posts on Naver.
