The “winter solstice,†where the length of the night is the longest and the shortest day of the year, is just around the corner. Since ancient times, on the winter solstice day, there has been a custom of sprinkling red adzuki beans on the main gate or Jangdokdae to drive away miscellaneous goods and prevent disasters. “Red bean soup†is made by thoroughly boiling the adzuki beans and putting the rice in filtered water to a thin boil, but nowadays, the texture of the adzuki beans is also preserved. “Red bean paste,†which is seasoned with sugar instead of salt, is characterized by its thinner and milder sweetness than regular red bean paste. Garnishes such as cinnamon powder, chestnuts, ginkgo nuts, walnuts, etc. are also added to add richness of flavor. Here are 5 sweet red bean soup restaurants in Seoul that will keep your body and mind warm in the cold winter months.
1. Full of large landmarks, Samcheong-dong 'the second-best house in Seoul'
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[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 122-1 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 11:00 to 21:00 every day, closed on Mondays
â–²Price: Red bean soup 7,000 won, ginger jujube tea 5,000 won, sweet sake 5,000 won
â–²Review (Shikigami Justink): Favorite red bean soup shop. Drinking ginger jujube tea can ward off colds. However, I didn't eat the bird eggs because they were too big… But it's delicious. If you eat the famous sujebi in Samcheong-dong and come here, you can see many people who have seen it at the sujebi restaurant.
2. Enjoy a variety of red bean desserts, “Geumokdang†in Yeonhui-dong
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â–²Location: 2 Yeonhui-ro 11ra-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 11:00 to 20:00 every day, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
â–²Price: Red bean soup 7,500 won, Geumgok red bean soup 7,500 won, whole bean paste (small) 2,500 won
â–²Testimonial (After eating bread): I walked in without thinking when I passed by, and it was a big hit! I feel like I've found a big hit!! Seriously, there were many types of yokan. I bought Kyoto Uji matcha flavor and milk tea. There were times when yokan made me feel bad because it was too sweet, but it wasn't sweet, and I felt that the matcha flavor was just as bitter as it was! I'll give it to my parents next time too!
3. Subtle sweetness, 'Red Bean Shop' in Munjeong-dong
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[Shikigami Tip]
â–² Location: 154 Saema-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
â–²Business hours: 11:00 – 22:00 every day
â–²Price: Red bean soup 4,500 won, cauldron shaved ice 3,500 won, sweet red bean paste bread 1,500 won
â–²Review (Shikigin Risubong): A place where you can enjoy unsweetened shaved ice! In the summer, I go to eat cool shaved ice, and in the winter, I go eat hot red bean soup! It's also rich in nuts, so it has a savory and chewy flavor.
4. 100% domestic red beans, Ichon-dong “Dongbingoâ€
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â–²Location: 319 Ichon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 10:30 – 22:00 every day
â–²Price: Red bean soup 7,000 won, shaved red bean paste 7,000 won, miso powder shaved ice 7,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigin Diet Zen): Dongbingo's adzuki beans are definitely different. They seem to cook adzuki beans really well, and I think the quality of the adzuki beans is better than other places.
5. Cinnamon powder is soft, Tongui-dong's “Tongui Dongdan Red Beanâ€
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[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 20-1 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 12:00 – 21:30 every day, closed on Sundays
â–²Price: Red bean soup 6,500 won, shaved red beans 7,500 won, shaved beans 8,500 won
â–²Testimonial (Alarmmon Shikigin 1313): I went with my friends and ate 1 bowl of red bean soup and then ate a cool shaved ice cream for dessert. Cinnamon powder is added to the porridge, which adds flavor, and the mochi that comes in it is also chewy and delicious!