Part 2 of the Fair Price Model Establishment tour.

Jeonju’s Best Eats

These days, with the rise in living costs, the food prices at the restaurants I usually go to have increased as well. So, the idea of dining out doesn’t sit well with me anymore. It was during these concerns that I discovered what’s called a ‘fair price establishment’!

Fair price establishments, just as the name suggests, are places that offer services at reasonable prices. According to the standards set by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Jeonju City selects a variety of businesses like hair salons, laundromats, bakeries, snack bars, Korean, and Chinese restaurants to compile a list. You can check this out on the Jeonju City website for your reference!

Let me introduce two snack places from the fair price model establishments I visited this time!

1. Dongnae Snack Bar

“A 30-year legacy of red bean porridge and knife-cut noodle excellence at Dongnae Snack Bar.”

The first snack bar I headed to was ‘Dongnae Snack Bar’. Initially, when I heard the name Dongnae Snack Bar, I thought they would be selling spicy rice cakes, but to my surprise, they were famous for their knife-cut noodles and red bean porridge! This place is located around Pungnammun Gate, inside NamBu Market.

I visited on a Sunday after 6 PM, but it wasn’t easy to navigate due to the many alleys inside NamBu Market. After much searching, I finally arrived at Dongnae Snack Bar… and learned they close at 7 PM! Sadly, I couldn’t eat during my first visit.

Dongnae Snack Bar’s hours are from 7 AM to 7 PM daily, and they’re closed on Tuesdays. Please check before you visit!

I went back the next day, setting aside the initial letdown. They were open even on the holiday, and there was a good number of customers.

The menu included specialties like red bean porridge with rice cake balls, knife-cut noodles with red beans, sesame porridge with rice cake balls, knife-cut noodles, hand-pulled dough soup, spicy mixed noodle soup, cold bean soup noodles, and rice cake and dumpling soup. I chose the hand-pulled dough soup, while my friend opted for the knife-cut noodles. The flavors were not overly spicy, perfectly seasoned, and truly showed off their culinary expertise!

Both dishes were priced at just 6,000 KRW, which is a real steal considering average prices for meals these days. If you have plans to visit near Jeonju Hanok Village or NamBu Market, make sure to check this place out!

2. Ttotto Snack Bar

“Ttotto Snack Bar – where good prices meet good vibes.”

The second place I visited was ‘Ttotto Snack Bar.’ It’s located near Jeonbuk National University and serves classic Korean snack bar items like spicy rice cakes, blood sausage, and kimbap.

They open Monday to Saturday, with Sundays off. Note that on Saturdays, they open from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and on other days from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM.

I was charmed by the exterior of the shop before I even walked in. Maybe it was the setting sun, but the shop’s lights looked especially beautiful. The inside had a cozy atmosphere. It was full of people, mostly students. Orders can be placed at a kiosk, where the menu includes spicy rice cakes, one-person sets, two-person sets, various types of kimbap, fried items, and blood sausage.

It was quite a bustling place, with people finishing their meals and new customers arriving as I ate. My group ordered chili kimbap, spicy rice cakes, and fish cake fritters, and then we found a place to sit.

If you go further inside, there’s space with seating that feels almost like a study hall. You can fold and unfold dividers, which is quite convenient when you’re eating alone. The chairs might be slightly uncomfortable depending on your preference.

I noticed hair ties at each seat, a thoughtful touch. The spicy rice cakes reminded me of the ones I used to eat at snack bars in front of my school. The fish cake fritters were chewy and delicious. The chili kimbap was indeed spicy, living up to its name.

Finishing the meal, I was quite full, especially for the price of just 10,000 KRW, which left me feeling great. If you find yourself near Jeonbuk National University, I recommend stopping by Ttotto Snack Bar!

In Jeonju, there are many more spots that offer both delicious food and great value, so I suggest you check them out too!

📍 Dongnae Snack Bar : 53, Pungnammun 2-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

📍 Ttotto Snack Bar : 14 Samsong 3-gil, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do