Explore Korea Like a Local

Hello, my amazing friends! 👋 Welcome to my special guide for your trip to Korea. I’m ‘Your K-Friend at K.RIDE,’ and today, I’m so excited to talk about one of our coolest neighborhoods: ‘Hip-jiro’ (a fun nickname for Euljiro)!

It’s a fascinating place where sparkling new buildings stand right next to charming old alleyways from decades ago. But with so many hidden gems, where should you eat? 🤔

Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. This isn’t just any restaurant list. I’ve prepared a list of the TOP 10 local restaurants based on real data from Kakao Navi (the navigation app all Koreans use) and Kakao T (our most popular taxi app).

If you want the ‘real’ taste of Korea, this is the guide for you! Let’s go! ✨

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✅ Your ‘Hip-jiro’ Restaurant Guide (Locals’ Picks!)

1. Sanchung Sutbul Garden (산청숯불가든 을지로)

• What to Expect: 🍖 This place has an amazing retro-meets-modern vibe! It’s perfect for groups, and you get to grill delicious, high-quality meat over charcoal. The signature dish is the ‘traditional black pork’—it’s chewy, savory, and so good with all the side dishes! The ‘handmade bone-in pork belly’ is also a huge favorite.
• Location: 📍 114-6, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 It gets really busy on weekend evenings. I suggest arriving right when they open or trying to make a reservation in advance!

2. Oldie’s Taco (올디스타코)

• What to Expect: 🌮 A super cool and trendy Mexican restaurant. They serve delicious tacos and fajitas that have been reinterpreted to perfectly suit Korean tastes. The ‘oldies taco’ and ‘mega bomb snack’ are the most popular items. You’ll love the fresh ingredients and all the amazing sauces!
• Location: 📍 3, Chungmu-ro 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 This spot stays open later than many other restaurants, making it a fantastic option for a late-night dinner or snack.

3. Cheongwaok (청와옥)

• What to Expect: 🥣 This is a clean and elegant restaurant specializing in Sundaegukbap (Korean blood sausage soup). If you want to try authentic Korean soul food, this is a must-visit. The rich, hot broth is exceptional, and they give you generous portions of sundae and pork.
• Location: 📍 110, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 You might see a long line, but don’t be discouraged! The tables turn over quite quickly, so you’ll likely get in faster than you expect.

4. Eunjujeong (은주정)

• What to Expect: 🌶️ This restaurant is famous for its kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) and got even more popular after being on a famous TV show. The deep, spicy flavor from the aged kimchi is fantastic. It’s a classic Korean comfort food!
• Location: 📍 32, Changgyeonggung-ro 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 Good to know: They only serve kimchi stew for lunch. If you want to try their pork belly (samgyeopsal), you have to visit for dinner!

5. Andongjang (안동장)

• What to Expect: 🍜 One of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Euljiro, with nearly 100 years of history! They are famous for traditional jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) and jjambbong (spicy seafood noodle soup).
• Location: 📍 124, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 Their signature dish is the ‘oyster jjambbong’. If you’re visiting in winter (when oysters are in season), I truly recommend trying it. It’s also a popular dish for curing hangovers! 😉

6. Eulji Kkan Kkan (을지깐깐)

• What to Expect: 🇻🇳 A very cozy Vietnamese restaurant that feels just like you’ve stepped into Ho Chi Minh City. They serve authentic Vietnamese dishes in a charming setting. The ‘crab noodle soup’ and ‘banh xeo’ (Vietnamese sizzling pancake) are must-tries.
• Location: 📍 12, Eulji-ro 12-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 The space is quite small and intimate, so I’d suggest avoiding peak lunch hours if you don’t want to wait.

7. Munhwaok (문화옥)

• What to Expect: 🤍 This is a true heritage spot that has been serving Seolleongtang (ox bone soup) for over 60 years. The broth is clear yet rich, and the beef is incredibly tender. It’s the perfect meal to warm you up and fill your stomach.
• Location: 📍 62-5, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 The atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable, making it a great place to dine even if you’re traveling solo. Don’t forget to add the green onions and salt to your taste!

8. Ppyeotanjip (뼈탄집)

• What to Expect: 🔥 A fantastic restaurant with a very impressive interior, famous for its spicy back ribs and jokbal (pig’s feet). The spicy back ribs have an addictive smoky charcoal flavor. You get to hold the bone and enjoy the super-tender meat.
• Location: 📍 114-1, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 You can adjust the spice level! If you’re not a fan of very spicy food, just ask for the “mild” version.

9. Gosssine Gochujang Jjigae (고씨네 고추장찌개)

• What to Expect: 🥘 Famous for its hearty gochujang jjigae (Korean chili paste stew). We call this kind of dish a “rice thief” because it’s so delicious you’ll finish your whole bowl of rice before you know it! It’s the ultimate Korean spicy-savory flavor.
• Location: 📍 26, Supyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 The portions are very generous, so it’s a great place to visit with friends. I also recommend ordering the ‘Gamja-myeonppal-jeon’ (a crispy potato “noodle” pancake) as a side dish to balance the spice!

10. Kkuwak Kalguksu (꾸왁칼국수)

• What to Expect: 🍲 A wonderful kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) restaurant with a rich chicken broth base. The noodles are perfectly chewy, and the broth is deep and refreshing. A truly comforting meal.
• Location: 📍 67-13, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Traveler Tips: 💡 Their signature menu is the ‘Kalmandu-guk,’ which lets you enjoy both the kalguksu noodles and delicious dumplings in one bowl. Their kimchi fried rice is also very popular! Be sure to try your meal with their delicious homemade kimchi.

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🚖 Getting Around Euljiro’s Alleys with Ease

Exploring all those hidden alleys in ‘Hip-jiro’ is so much fun, but I know it can also be a bit confusing, especially late at night after a big, delicious meal! 🌙 Trying to find your way back to your hotel in the dark can be stressful.

That’s when I highly recommend using K.RIDE! It’s the taxi-hailing app I always tell my international friends about, designed just for you. It connects directly to the Kakao T taxi network (the one all the locals use) but makes it super easy for foreign travelers.

Why I Love K.RIDE for You:

• ✅ Multi-language app support: No Korean needed! The app works perfectly in English, Japanese, Chinese, and more.
• ✅ Foreign card-friendly: Don’t worry about cash or needing a Korean card. You can easily register your home credit card and pay right in the app.
• ✅ Automatic destination translation: This is the best part! You just type your hotel or destination in your language, and K.RIDE automatically translates it for the driver. No miscommunication, ever!
• ✅ Fair pricing: K.RIDE uses the official meter, so you never have to worry about being overcharged or “bargaining.” Just safe, fair fares every time.

Seriously, it makes getting around so easy and stress-free. You can download it from your app store!

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💖 Enjoy Your ‘Hip-jiro’ Adventure!

That’s my local-approved list for Euljiro! I really hope this guide helps you have the most delicious and authentic food adventures in ‘Hip-jiro.’ Go explore, eat well, and make unforgettable memories!

And remember, after a fantastic (and filling!) day, K.RIDE is the easiest and safest way to get back.

I’ll be back soon to introduce you to Euljiro’s hippest cafes and bars!

Thanks for reading!
— Your K-Friend at K.RIDE ✨
See you on the road!