Ichon-dong is also known as “Little Tokyo†because Japanese people have been migrating mainly from the beginning of its formation and settling down one by one. Therefore, it's easy to run into Japanese restaurants, izakayas, and large and small Japanese restaurants. Even in this exotic atmosphere, there are hidden restaurants that show off their own relaxed charm. Starting with a dumpling soup specialty store that is delicious no matter when you eat it, a Chinese restaurant where you can enjoy the harmonious flavors of sour sauce and crispy fried chicken, and even a friend-like food stall that has been a snack for students nearby for many years! Let's meet the 5 best hidden restaurants in Ichon-dong.
1. A clean meal, 'Gae Village Hangang-ro Store' in Ichon-dong
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
“Gae Village Hangang Road Branch†is a dumpling soup specialty store loved by nearby residents. The signature menu is “dumpling soup,†which contains bite-sized dumplings in a broth made by putting in prepared brisket and boiling it for 6 hours. On top of the hot dumpling soup, place the shredded brisket and the light yellow zidan neatly. The crunchy yet refreshing nabak kimchi, pickled onions, and Chinese cabbage kimchi that come with it are also delicacies.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 56 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 09:30 — 21:00 every day, B/T 15:30 — 17:00
â–²Price: Dumpling soup 10,000 won, mochi dumpling soup 10,000 won
â–²Review (Shikigin Cheesecake): I really like the dumpling soup, but compared to the famous Buam-dong dumpling soup restaurant, it's a great value for money! Hehe, it fits the savory soup and one bite! I keep thinking of the dumplings that go in. Refreshing kimchi is also the best! hehe
2. Memorable flour tteokbokki, 'Smile Ichon Tteokbokki' in Ichon-dong
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
“Smile Ichon Tteokbokkiâ€, located between the two schools, is a place bustling with students looking for sweet and spicy tteokbokki every day after school. This restaurant's tteokbokki, which uses chewy wheat mochi, is characterized by its homemade soup without being spicy. When ordering tteokbokki, the rich fish cake soup is provided free of charge, and the method of eating crispy tempura mixed with the tteokbokki soup is popular.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 72 Ichon-ro 65ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 10:00 — 20:30 every day, closed on Sundays
â–²Price: Tteokbokki 3,000 won, seaweed roll 800 won
â–²Testimonial (Today's meal is a meal): This is a place I often go to on days when I want to eat lunch. It's a wheat mochi, but it's nice that it's well-seasoned! If I order it with tempura, will the boss mix it for me? When I asked, of course, it must be mixed to taste good!
3. “Donggang†in Ichon-dong, a refreshing taste of lunch
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
“Donggang†is a small Chinese restaurant famous for its yuringi flavor that enhances the taste buds with a special sour sauce. The signature dish is “Yuringi,†made by putting glutinous rice batter on chicken thighs and deep-frying them. The characteristic is that you can enjoy it crispy yet chewy for a long time. The popular meal menu is “Szechuan tang noodles,†which are made with clams, oysters, and shrimp simmered in a cool way. The refreshing yet deep soup is perfect for Haejang.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 182 Ichon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 11:00 — 20:00 every day, B/T 14:30 — 17:00
â–²Price: Yuringi (small) 23,000 won, Szechuantang noodles 10,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigami, Goddess of Nail Art): The crunchy Yuringi is a different feeling from sweet and sour rice. It's less burdensome and has a more savory flavor. Lots of finely chopped peppers and green onions! The visuals are pretty too. Yuringi Gourmet Acknowledgment!
4. 'Bread 05' in Ichon-dong , a master bakery made from naturally fermented varieties
Image source: l22hjoo's Instagram
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
“Bread 05†is a healthy bakery that makes bread using naturally fermented varieties. The signature dish is “amber,†which contains homemade red bean paste and anchor butter between crispy grilled ciabatta. The flavor of savory bread, savory butter, and moderately sweet red bean paste is excellent. “Gosomi,†a butter roll with salty flakes of salt, is also popular. It has a chewy yet light flavor.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 61 Ichon-ro 64-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 11:00 — 22:00 every day, closed on Mondays
â–²Price: 4,500 won for inverter, 1,300 won for kosomi
â–²Testimonial (Night of Death): It's a place where the friendly boss always welcomes you. When I'm in doubt, they also recommend the menu, hehe, the amberjack is the most delicious!! Bread with basil and macadamia is also recommended!!
5. 'Alley House' in Ichon-dong, an indoor pot full of charm
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
Image source: Shikigami Contents Team
“Alley House†is an indoor food stall located within Ichon General Market. It's a place where you can find hearty snacks at reasonable prices. The signature menu, “Deok Samgyeop,†is served with flavored daipae samgyeopsal, fragrant leek sauce, and deok sauce ripped and seasoned by hand. The service menu Mushimono is basic, and you can enjoy the owner's special menu, so be sure to check it out.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 72 Ichon-ro 65ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
â–²Business hours: 12:00 – 24:00 every day
â–²Price: Samgyeol Dedeok Samhae 20,000 won, Ugeji Haejang soup 6,000 won
â–²Review (Shikigin Papamon): A restaurant that only I want to know! It's simple, but it's a place with a variety of delicious menu~ The basic ones that come out are free… So delicious! I couldn't enjoy the three-ply Deok Samhap and it was a great match!!