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Today, I've prepared a post about my visit to a true 50-year-old traditional Gamjatang (pork bone stew) hotspot located in Huam-dong, Seoul: the main branch of #Ilmijip!
This place is a massive hotspot tha
t has appeared on various TV programs, including Welcome, First Time in Korea?, and has a never-ending line of famous celebrity visitors! Hahaha. The taste of the Gamjatang boiling away inside a building full of old-school, retro vibes was absolutely incredible. Here is my 100% satisfied review!
Let's dive right in! Hahaha.
π Exterior & Authentic Retro Vibe
- Address: 1-1 Huam-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
As soon as you arrive, the faded red brick building and the huge sign reading "50-Year Traditional Original Ilmijip" immediately catch your eye! Hahaha.
While there are many fancy, grand restaurants these days, I personally love the unique aura that these shabby, old-school buildings give off. Even before stepping inside, my trust in this being a "true local hotspot" skyrocketed! γ γ γ
πΊ TV Appearances & Celebrity Hotspot
When you walk inside, the walls are completely covered with proof of its fame! Hahaha.
First, you'll see captured screens from major broadcasting programs like Welcome, First Time in Korea? and Wednesday Food Talk.
Right next to them, the wall is tightly packed with signatures from famous celebrities! Hahaha. So many recognizable names have visited. It truly lives up to its title as Huam-dong's most famous Gamjatang restaurant.
π² Menu & Gamjatang (Small) Review
Sitting down, I checked the menu. The main dish, Gamjatang, comes in Large, Medium, and Small sizes. They also have a Gamjatang set meal (9,000 KRW) which is perfect for solo diners! Hahaha.
Since there were two of us, we ordered the Gamjatang 'Small' (21,000 KRW)!
Usually, even if you order the smallest size at a Gamjatang restaurant, it comes in a massive, wide hot pot that can feel a bit overwhelming. But at Ilmijip, it comes in a cute, deep little pot with the meat and potatoes piled up like a mountain! Hahaha.
It looks incredibly appetizing visually, and the portion is perfectly satisfying for two people to enjoy without feeling burdened.
When it started bubbling, I pulled out a huge bone. The meat had soaked up the broth perfectly and was glistening! γ γ It was boiled so tenderly that the meat fell right off the bone with just a touch of the chopsticks. The broth wasn't thick or heavy at all—it was very clean and refreshing, so I literally inhaled it with my face in the bowl! Hahaha.
π The Ultimate K-Dessert: Fried Rice
As we were finishing the Gamjatang, we couldn't skip the ultimate K-dessert: Fried Rice (3,000 KRW)! Hahaha.
When you order it, the staff takes the whole pot to the kitchen, stir-fries it deliciously, and brings it back to you! Scraping up the slightly crisped fried rice mixed with seaweed flakes and the rich leftover Gamjatang broth... it was pure perfection. γ γ Even though I was full, I couldn't stop my spoon.
The proof is the shot of the pot completely scraped clean to the bottom! Hahaha. We cleared it so perfectly that it didn't even need washing.
π Final Verdict by Park Jin-hwa-ron
From the retro building filled with 50 years of history to the clean, deep broth of the Gamjatang, and the flawless fried rice finish! I instantly understood why famous celebrities and broadcasting stations rush to visit this place. Hahaha.
I especially loved that the small size came in a compact pot, making it so approachable and easy to enjoy! Hahaha.
If you're looking for a hearty, truly delicious Gamjatang spot near Huam-dong or Seoul Station, I highly, highly recommend the main branch of 'Ilmijip'! I'm definitely going back next time to enjoy it with a glass of Soju! Hahaha. Intention to revisit: 10,000%!!!
Tags:
#Ilmijip #HuamDongEats #SeoulStationEats #Gamjatang #WednesdayFoodTalk #WelcomeFirstTimeInKorea #RetroRestaurant #SeoulRetro #GamjatangSmall #FriedRiceIsAMust #SelfFunded #HuamDongDate
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