Unique Gimbap (Seaweed Roll) in Jeonju: Aged Kimchi Gimbap and Carrot Gimbap

Gimbap (rice and other ingredients rolled in dried seaweed sheet) is a common and inexpensive dish easily found everywhere. Today, I’ll introduce two of locals’ favorite gimbap venues that serve unique gimbap found nowhere else in Korea: Gyeonga Bunsik and Oseonmo Yetnal Gimbap.

Gyeonga Bunsik’s Mugunji (aged kimchi) Gimbap

‘Gyeonga Bunsik’ has sold gimbap for more than a decade at the center of the Gaekridangil District, a trendy area with many unique restaurants and cafés. I visited around 5PM, bit early for dinner, but the venue was already busy with take-out and delivery orders.

The interior is rather humble, and the menu is simple. There’s only one gimbap on the menu. The owner was proud of the gimbap, which kept the place going for more than a decade.

My gimbap is served! The side dishes are simple: kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) and siraegiguk (dried radish leaves and soybean paste soup).

Inside the famous gimbap is mugunji (aged kimchi), perilla leaf, fried egg, and pickled radish. I found all the ingredients harmonize very pleasantly in terms of both flavor and texture. The gimbap wasn’t greasy, spicy, or sharp. Admirers of clean flavour will love this gimbap.

Gyeonga Bunsik

Address: Jeonjugaeksa 1-gil 46, Wansan-gu, Jeonju

Contact: 063-232-2992

Opening hours: 08:30~19:00 (closed on Sundays)

Oseonmo Yetnal Gimbap’s Carrot Gimbap

My next destination is ‘Oseonmo Yetnal Gimbap’. This venue is take-away only. I recommend the visiting the nearby park if you want to taste the gimbap as fresh as possible. I visited early in the morning, but I still had to queue. The venue also accepts bulk orders via phone.

I was surprised at the lady’s speed of rolling gimbap. It took around 15 seconds for her to make one gimbap roll. I wonder how many rolls she makes in a day.

On the wall, it says the opening hours have shortened due to the health of the owner. Now the venue is open from 5AM to 2PM. I wish the owner stays healthy.

There’s only one menu: ‘danggeun (carrot) gimbap’. Do you see how much carrot is in the gimbap? Although the gimbap is a bit bigger than the usual and most of it’s carrot, it didn’t feel stuffy or grassy. The sesame oil and garlic boost the sweet flavour and the pleasantly crunchy texture of the carrot. I’m definitely returning here soon.

Oseonmo Yetnal Gimbap

Address: Songjung 1-gil 1, Wansan-gu, Jeonju

Contact: 063-221-3057