[FOOD COURT] The best places to eat near Dongguk University

K-campus

Published: 28 Mar. 2023, 16:31

[FOOD COURT] The best places to eat near Dongguk University

BBL Bagel's ham and cheese bagel [BBL BAGEL]

The perfect equation for cheap and delicious restaurants includes being located near old neighborhoods, office buildings and university campuses, which is exactly what the area near Dongguk University looks like.

Neighborhoods such as Euljiro and Chungmuro in central Seoul are only a few minutes walk from Dongguk University's back gate and crowds of students in university jackets are often seen in the area. Both have been popular with locals and visitors since the 60s and 70s, when Euljiro was the home of various print companies and Chungmuro was Korea's hub for cinema lovers with Daehan Theater. With students, visitors and workers needing places to eat, restaurants naturally opened in the area.

Euljiro is now the district loved by hipsters, meaning there are plenty of new and trendy restaurants, but the old ones hidden in narrow alleyways aren't always the easiest to find or try if you are new to the area. If you don't know where to go, here are some restaurants near Dongguk University worth paying a visit.

BBL Bagel

Fruits bagel sold at BBL Bagel [BBL BAGEL]

BBL Bagel has classic options such as the salmon bagel and ham and cheese bagel, but its the dessert-like sweet bagels that's its most famous for. Its fruit sandwich bagel (4,500 won) is packed with whipped cream and chunks of fruit like strawberries, peaches, kiwi and grapes. There's also bagels with sweet spreads such as matcha, pistachio and Nutella with banana slices. The store offers a generous spread to bread ratio, with the spread being almost thick as the bagel itself.

The restaurant posts what bagels it will sell on Instagram every day and it's possible to reserve some bagels by sending a DM. Popular ones tend to sell out before the store closes at 5 p.m., so send a message before visiting if you're running late.

There are two bar seats, but grabbing a bagel on the go might be a better option as the seats are very tightly placed in the small shop.

@bbl_bagel
12-1 Toegye-ro 50-gil, Jung District, central Seoul
Business hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
0507-1303-3802

Jjamponya

Jjampongya's chashu noodles [LEE TAE-HEE]

Jjampongya is a noodle restaurant near the university's back gate that sells jjamppong, or noodles in spicy seafood broth. Jjamppong is a very common dish that Koreans go for if they need to eat quickly for a cheap price, but the restaurant makes the dish a bit more special than you would get from any restaurant down the street.

The noodles are essentially a combination of Japanese ramen and jjamppong. They are topped with chashu, or thick marinated pork, that can go on ramen rather than the seafood toppings that come with jjamppong. But the noodles follow the jjamppong style, being more soft and chewy than the Japanese noodles that tend to have a firm texture.

The chashu noodles are sold for 9,000 won, but those who want more meat can go for the double chashu noodle option for 12,000 won.

16-7 Seoae-ro, Jung District, central Seoul
Business hours: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Weekends 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
0507-1308-2783

Dongdae Dakhanmari

Dak hanmari, also known as whole chicken soup, sold at Dongdae Dakhanmari [LEE TAE-HEE]

There's only one menu at this restaurant, which is dak hanmari, or whole chicken soup. The dish is served in a big pan with rice cakes, vegetables such as green onions and potato, along with chicken that's cut up into smaller pieces.

Sold for 28,000 won, one portion is enough for two to three people. Customers who want a bit more can order one-and-a-half portions, which isn't on the menu but is available if you ask the servers. Additional potatoes and rice cakes can be added for 2,000 won as well.

Although the chicken comes in a spicy broth, the meat itself isn't that spicy and has a mild flavor. The restaurant does this intentionally, and asks that customers make their own sauce to dip the chicken in. A bottle of soy sauce, spicy pepper sauce, wasabi and diced chives can be found on the table, and visitors are advised to mix them all in ratios they like.

16-5, Seoae-ro, Jung District, central Seoul
Business hours: 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
02-2269-5596

Hongtak Jip

Bossam jungsik sold at Hongtak Jip, which also comes with side dishes such as stir fried sausage and hot soup [LEE TAE-HEE]

The restaurant's bossam jungsik is one of the favorites of Dongguk University students, offering enough meal to make you feel full just for 8,000 won. The meal comes with a plate full of steamed pork, a bowl of rice, hot soup and various side dishes such as stir-fried sausages, fish cakes, gyeran mari (egg rolls) and tuna salad. In classic Korean style, additional refills of side dishes are more than permitted.

Those who don't want the side dishes but only want pork can just order bossam for 21,000 won, and can expect enough to be shared between two to three people.

The restaurant also sells hongeo, or fermented skate, because the two are known as a good combination. However, opinions are divided on the pungent fish due to its distinctive and strong odor, so it might not be a good choice unless you know what you're dealing with.

8 Toegye-ro 42-gil, Jung District, central Seoul
Business hours: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
02-2266-6332

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]