The Authentic to Not-So-Authentic Korean Breakfast in Seoul

I was reading Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner for the book club when the part she prepared, Doenjang-jjigae for breakfast (Page 243), took me back to the Korean breakfast I had during my trip to Seoul. Some were new to me, some were authentic, and some were repeated. Here are some of the most memorable Korean breakfasts I had recently:

The Korean Breakfast with 40-yo Tradition and Unchanging Taste

Myeongdong Chungmu Kimbap address: 19, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04537 South Korea.

We woke up early and hungry on our first morning in Seoul, thanks to the time difference. So we bulked up with coats and walked around Myeongdong in search of Korean breakfast, which was my only requirement for breakfast ─ that it should be Korean.

After a while, we realised that we were too early; almost all the eateries were still closed. My wish to have a Korean breakfast on my first day in Korea (not too big of an asking, wasn’t it) was dwelling. That’s until we stumbled upon a restaurant with a familiar food picture on its’ door. I recognized I had eaten it before during my previous trip to Korea, but I didn’t remember having it in Myeongdeong.

Alas, I remember liking it and told Fafa as much, so in we went. The lady who didn’t look happy to see us greeted us with “one menu“, pointing out the same picture. After we replied, “okay”, she loosened up a bit, invited us to sit and gave us some cold water. It was when I slowly learned that cold water is the default setting in Korean restaurants; hot tea ─ even in winter ─ is not really a thing.

There was only one other patron in the restaurant, a guy who slouched while eating the same menu we were about to have. He looked super drunk and had yet to go home since the night before, which was completely fine since he kept to himself.

Our plate of Kimbap, rice rolls with spicy squid and radish kimchi and plain soup on the side. We ate it with the toothpick-looking thing that was provided. Everything, but the soup, was cold but flavourful. We also agreed that sharing one plate wasn’t enough, but two plates seemed excessive for breakfast. Nevertheless, I am glad I had it again and for Fafa to try it for the first time.

The Most Elaborate Korean Breakfast

One morning, I convinced Fafa to go to Insadong again. The deal was for him to company me to check out the Korean stamp before we hung out at the Starbucks Reserve nearby. But before those things, we wanted to have breakfast in Insandong.

It was still early, and even Ssamziegil wasn’t open, so my plan to have breakfast in Ddong, the poop cafe, was not happening. We then roamed around the small alleys and found a few open restaurants, and we went into one randomly.

I have a general rule of thumb that alleyway restaurants will have good. It also reminded me of the alley in Shinjuku where I had the best Japanese breakfast of my life.

The menu was all in Korean, and even with Google Translator, it was confusing. Thankfully, the manager helped explain things to us before taking our orders.

Similar to the above experience, we were the second patrons in the restaurant. A Korean family occupied the other table. It made me feel better about the Korean breakfast I was about to have. Behind our table was a small steel fridge where the heated bowls of rice were kept.

Our food came soon after; the waiter returned with another tray and then another. It was the most elaborate Korean breakfast I have ever had. There was fried fish, white rice, Doenjang-jjigae (fermented soybean paste stew). Also many plates of banchan, including two of my favourites: Eomuk Bokkeum (stir-fried fish cake) and Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stir Fry). And it also reminded me of Japanese-style breakfast, especially Fafa’s set.

The meal was as delicious and fulfilling as it looked. We came out from the restaurant happy and ready to explore Insadong.

The Non-Breakfast in a 24-h Chain Restaurant

Ssada Gimbab address: 2, Dongsomun-dong 6(yuk)-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

While staying in Hongdae, we stumbled upon a 24-hour chain restaurant that offered more than 50 food choices on their menu, Ssada Gimbab.

Ever since, we kept frequenting it whenever we (by we, I mean me) woke up late and had to have a quick and easy breakfast before continuing with our plan for the day. So yes, we have a number of meals there, from late breakfast to lazy dinner, but the most memorable was a plate of rice with spicy squid and seaweed toppings. I had it with a side of free soup and banchan.

It had become some sort of comfort food for me in the mornings. So even though it can be counted as an authentic Korean breakfast, when I return to Korea next, I’ll be sure to stop at Ssada Gimbab for at least one breakfast-time meal. Also, the chain restaurant is affordable, delivers consistently good meals and has good service. The lady at the counter always brought my food to the table, but it could be because she knew no point yelling the order number in Korean to this dumb dumb.

The Most Authentic Korean Porridge Breakfast at Seowonjuk

Seowonjuk address: KR 서울특별시 중구 퇴계로141 seowonjuk, Seoul, South Korea. I don't know the English address but it's located near 7-11 on the same road as L7 Hotel Myeongdeong.

I love everything I mentioned on this list, but if I am to pick one as a must-try Korean breakfast, it would be eating porridge at Seowonjuk.

Similar to all the above, we also stumbled upon Seowonjuk one morning. Actually, It was Fafa who saw the pamphlet in front of a small building and urged me to check it out. We walked inside, down the stairs and ended up in a small eatery in a basement filled with people. That’s when I knew it was going to be good.

There was only one main choice on the menu, Korean-style porridge (Juk) with many different flavours, from abalone to seafood. That morning,

I chose the ginseng porridge, while Fafa chose the one sans ginseng. Juk is one of the most common Korean breakfasts, and I was excited to try it. Our bowls of porridge came soon after. It looked too watery and bland compared to the Indonesian-style porridge (Bubur) that I love. But the first spoon was all I needed to put my hesitation to rest. The porridge is packed with flavour, and eating with squid kimchi banchan took it a notch. Within minutes we polished off our bowls.

A tip when you go here, ask for an extra serving of squid kimchi when you put in our porridge order. The friendly English-speaking staff would be happy to oblige. To reiterate, if there is one Korean breakfast you ought to try in Seoul, let it be a bowl of Juk.

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