When the weather is cool like these days, you may have enjoyed a light glass of beer at a simple table in front of a convenience store. In Jeonju, the town of taste, this trend became established a little earlier, and it is “gamak,†which is the term for shop beer. In the 1980s, local supermarkets began selling beer and grilled hwangtae at low prices in Jeonju, and snacks such as omelette, nogari, and tteokbokki were gradually diversified, and snacks such as omelette, nogari, and tteokbokki were added. Jeonju's gamak culture is rapidly spreading to other regions due to the trend of enjoying casual drinking parties and the retro boom. With its shabby exterior and rustic interior, a garmhouse offers a casual haven. It brings memories and nostalgia to the older generation and new experiences to the younger generation.
Famous Gamak restaurants in Seoul include Ikseon-dong Turtle Super, Nogari Super, Jongno Seoul Food, Sungshin Women's University Sunhwa Super, Gyeongridan-gil Woori Super, Mangwon Mangwon Super, Jongno Comet Super, Yeonnam-dong Yeonnam Super Market, and Seochon Seochon Gamakjip. Famous places in the country include Jeonju Jeonil Gapo, Snail Supermarket, Eunseong Supermarket, Chowon Convenience Store, Pungnam Super, Yeongdong Supermarket, Daegu Tiger Super, Gyeongju Hwangnam House, and Gimhae Garak Sanghoe. A haven for office workers on their way home from work! Let's take a look at 5 of the best Gamak restaurants where you can enjoy a casual glass of beer outdoors.
1. 'Woori Supermarket' in Gyeongridan-gil, Seoul, a mecca for Mcducks
Image source: ted_the_drinker's Instagram
Image source: ted_the_drinker's Instagram
As soon as you step inside, “Woori Super†catches your eye with the beers that fill the fridge on the wall. There are about 200 types of beer available, and it is a place loved by beer enthusiasts. From craft beers produced by domestic breweries to famous beers from overseas, it's fun to choose and drink. “Lost Coast Indica,†which has an intense bitterness and rich hop flavor, and “Founder's IPA,†which boasts a subtle tropical fruit scent and a refreshing mouthfeel, are the most popular. After drinking the selected beer at an outdoor table set up outside the store, you can separate and collect it on your own.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 7, Noksapyeong-daero 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 12:00 — 00:00 every day
â–²Price: Beer price changes
â–²Testimonial (Shikigami Yeonji Konji ><): It's a great one. A popular garmak shop on Gyeongridan-gil in Itaewon. It sells a lot of beers from around the world, so it's a vibrant space full of emotion where you can experience a variety of beers. Itaewon is the most famous gammakjip, and it's a place without beer in the world. There is a hustle of people at the table outside. A lot of foreigners also come here.
2. Affordable but hearty! , 'Seoul Foods' in Jongno, Seoul
Image source: indie_kb_lee's Instagram
Image source: indie_kb_lee's Instagram
The shabby exterior of 'Seoul Foods', located inside the alley of Jongno Tool Shopping District, exudes a nostalgic atmosphere. The first floor of the store is a supermarket that sells ramen and sweets, etc., and the second floor is operated as a garmac shop. You can find alcoholic beverages and snacks at a much lower price compared to regular bars, so nearby residents can't stop walking. You can take as much alcohol from the refrigerator and eat it, and order snacks on the interphone. The signature menu is “oysters,†which are chewy oysters covered in egg batter and baked until golden brown. Hot oysters are appealing for their rich aroma and rich flavor that fills your mouth as you chew them. Please note that orders for snacks are only accepted until 9 o'clock.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 32, Jong-ro 18-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 12:00 — 22:30 on weekdays, 12:00 — 22:00 on Saturdays, closed on Sundays
â–²Price: Small oysters (small) 6,000 won, chujeon 4,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigin Anyong's friend): Soju is 2,000 won! The beer is only 3,000 won, and the snacks are really cheap, so I can just run for it. Also, the price was cheap, so I wasn't expecting a snack, but the oysters are big and nice.
3. 'Sunhwa Supermarket' at Sungshin Women's University in Seoul, a hot spot for Sungshin Women's University students
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Image source: dahye_ssun's Instagram
Image source: foreverkim0107's Instagram
'Sunhwa Supermarket' offers snacks at reasonable prices and has become a popular spot for Sungshin female college students. You can use cutlery and water on your own, including alcohol. The signature menu, “instant tteokbokki,†is characterized by the fact that it is cooked and served in a bowl at the same time as the order is placed instead of simmered and eaten at the same time. The sweet and spicy soup, which is full of umami, is perfect as a snack on its own. You can enjoy it even more by adding toppings such as noodle sari, eggs, and yakisoba. “Charsundae,†which is made by putting finely chopped green pepper on top of sundae and entrails, is also a popular menu. The chewy texture of the sundae has an attractive, chewy texture, and the green pepper adds a rich yet refreshing aftertaste.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 16 Bomun-ro 30ra-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 12:00 — 02:00 every day, closed on Sundays, flexible business hours
â–²Price: Instant tteokbokki 3,000 won, chasundae 3,000 won
â–²Review (Leebiny Shikigami): It's a place where the supermarket and the Garmakjip run together! First of all, should I say it's okay to feel free to do this and that? In particular, I tried sundae topped with pepper for the first time, and it goes really well with beer! Honey combination approved!
4. Traditional gamak unraveled in modern style, 'Nogari Super' in Ikseon-dong, Seoul
Image source: 18.09.10_w_u's Instagram
Image source: drunken_joojoo's Instagram
“Nogari Super†is a modern reinterpretation of traditional garmak by adding a youthful sensibility. It consists of a large space, from the outdoor terrace decorated with colorful umbrellas to the interior consisting of 1 and 2 floors. You can enjoy over 20 snack menus and 10 kinds of sake in one place. The signature menu is “Jeonju Hwangtae,†which is presented using know-how passed down from Jeonju's traditional gamak restaurant. The well-baked hwangtae has a crunchy texture like a snack and its light flavor that you can feel as you chew it is appealing. Check out “Chicken Hansang Fried Chicken,†where you can enjoy fried chicken, sweet potatoes, and mochi tempura all at once, is also a popular menu.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 28 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: Monday to Saturday 14:00 — 02:00, Sunday 14:00 — 00:00
â–²Price: Jeonju Hwangtae 17,000 won, Chicken Hansang Fried Chicken 17,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigami Sushihat): Glittering neon signs and colorful outdoor terrace seats! You can feel Ikseon-dong's hip vibe. There are a lot of menus, but I personally recommend Jeonju Hwangtae and sweet jajang tteokbokki!
5. Jeonju Gamak's thrill, Jeonju Gyeongwon-dong, Jeonju
Image source: crystaal__94 on Instagram
Image source: dawant94's Instagram
“Jeonil Gaoh†opened its doors in 1974 and is a place boasting a long history of 45 years. It is a favorite place for tourists, as it is called an essential part of a trip to Jeonju. The signature menu “Hwangtaepo†is served by gently grilling hwangtaepo over a briquette fire. The savory flavor that comes out of your mouth the more you chew hwangtaepo, which has been baked to the fullness of your mouth. The point of this restaurant is the thick soy sauce, topped with spicy chongyang pepper, and topped with plenty of mayonnaise and sesame seeds. The sauce, which is salty, spicy, and sweet and spicy at the same time, plays a strong role as licorice that enhances the umami of Hwangtaepo. Note that you have to order one bottle of beer per person.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 16 Hyeonmu 2-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk
▲Opening hours: 15:00 — 01:30 every day, closed on Sundays, flexible business hours
â–²Price: Hwangtaepo 10,000 won, omelette 7,000 won
â–²Review (Shikigami beom_kroea): Jeonju is Garmak; Garmak is super all day long! The supermarket the day before was one of the best rice crackers in Jeonju. Hehe, the most famous hwangtae, dipped in sauce, and became addictive all at once. The value of omelette doesn't make sense, hahahahahahahaha, you know that beer is cheap, right? If you're looking for Jeonju Gamak Restaurant, look for a supermarket the day before!