Certified Gourmet Restaurants in Jeonju Hanok Village

There’s no place like Jeonju when it comes to a gourmet tour. Your tasty experience is pretty much guaranteed at any local restaurants in the town. For those who just can’t decide where to eat in the Korean gourmet city, the City of Jeonju has certified several everal gourmet restaurants in the famous Jeonju Hanok Village.

Warm noodle soup at Namchun Maru

For a hearty meal on a cold day, visit Namchun Maru. My best menu is kalguksu (noodle soup) with the clam and leek broth full of flavor and chewy noodle. The noodle stays fresh until the last slurp. The noodle soup goes well with geotjeori (fresh kimchi salad). I also recommend red bean noodle soup and bibimbap.

Namchun Maru

Address: Jeonjuchun Dongro 66, Wansangu, Jeonju
Opening hour: 10:00~19:30 (closed on Tuesdays)

Fresh Samgyeopsal barbeque at Gyodong Sarang

Gyodong Sarang is one of few places that serve samgyeopsal (Korean-style pork belly barbeque) in Jeonju Hanok Village. The samgyeopsal is locally produced, hence fresh and tasty. The fermented three year-old kimchi, pickled turnip slices, and ssamjang (barbeque sauce) are all home-made by the restaurant owner.

Gyodong Sarang

Address: Hyanggyogil 45, Wansangu, Jeonju
Opening hour: 11:00~22:00 (closed on Mondays)

Healthy mushroom casserole at Woojeonjae

Woojeonjae is all about artificial flavors-free healthy natural dishes. The recommended menu is mushroom casserole with different mushrooms. I loved the clean flavor of the casserole broth. Also, the side dishes are all about fully bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients. Some side dishes don’t even use garlic and spring onions for this purpose. Reservation a day before is a must for this venue.

Woojeonjae

Address: Hyanggyogil 85, Wansangu, Jeonju (book in advance)

Traditional flavor at Gyodong Siraechung

Gyodong Siraechung serves tasty siraegiguk (soybean paste soup with dried radish leaves). The smooth ground fresh perilla seeds and traditional-style doenjang (soybean paste) explodes deep flavors on the palate. The soup can be refilled for free. The radish leaves are produced locally. Also the siraegiguk goes well with tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties).

Gyodong Siraechung

Address: Eunhaengro 40, Wansangu, Jeonju
Opening hour: 08:00~21:00 (open year-round)

Korean home meal at Duriban

Duriban serves Korean home meal, which means that good taste and good portion are guaranteed. The recommended menu is home-made tteokgalbi (grilled short-rib patties) and bibimbap meal. All the dishes are prepared on the spot. Duriban also serves good Korean-style breakfast meal with side dishes and mushroom and beef bulgogi. The breakfast is 8,000 won, a good deal given the taste and the portion.

Duriban

Address: Choimyunghee-gil 25, Wansangu, Jeonju
Opening hour: 08:30~20:00 (open year-round)

Kongnamul (bean sprouts) soup at Sinbaengi

Jeonju is also renowned for kongnamul gukbap (bean sprouts soup with rice), which is excellent for a breakfast or a morning after. Run by a “kimchi master” Ms. Ahn Myung-ja, Singbaengi serves one of the best kongnamul gukbap in the town. The baek kimchi (kimchi without red chilli pepper powder) kongnamul gukbap is recommended for those who don’t eat spicy dishes.

Sinbaengi

Address: Gyeonggijeon-gil 153-9, Wansangu, Jeonju
Opening hour: 08:00~21:00 (open year-round)

Luxury hanjeongsik at Yangbanga

In the dynastic times, the aristocrats of Jeonju took great care in holding good receptions. That tradition continues in hanjeongsik (serving a table full of different dishes) restaurants like Yangbanga (literally ‘aristocratic household’). The price of the hanjeongsik tables range from 60,000 won to 280,000 won. The ‘cheap’ 60,000 won table (for two) still serves a table full of a variety of dishes made from ingredients from all land, sea, and air. The more expensive table includes more luxurious dishes such as fresh abalone sashimi.

Yangbanga

Address: Choimyunghee-gil 30-3, Wansangu, Jeonju
Opening hour: 11:00~21:00 (closed on Tuesdays)

Traditional Jeonju bibimbap at Gogung Suragan

Gogung Suragan is the Jeonju Hanok Village branch of Gogung, one of the most celebrated bibimbap restaurants in Jeonju. The bibimbap at Gogung Suragan is cheaper than the headquarter. The quality of bibimbap at the branch is the same, with the rice cooked with cow-bone broth, locally-grown bean sprouts, marinated beef, fresh vegetables, and home-made red chilli pepper paste. Only the side dishes became simpler with serving kimchi and fresh kimchi salad.

Gogung Suragan

Address: Eunhaengro 31, Wansangu, Jeonju
Opening hour: 11:00~20:30