BEAPRISA: Seoul-id Trip Day 3.1: Yeolbong, Hongdae

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Seoul-id Trip Day 3.1: Yeolbong, Hongdae

August 16, 2014
1:30PM

It was already Day 3 in Seoul and I still haven't had a proper meal. I'm already missing the usual rice and viand meal back in the Philippines. Hahaha! It's past lunch time by the time we went out to eat (this is the first of many overslept series in Seoul, btw)

*photo cr: kekxified.tumblr.com*

Good thing that our guesthouse is just a few minutes walk away from the restaurants in Hongdae. Our target restaurant for that day was Yeolbong (Hongdae branch). Yeolbong is owned by former YG artist, Se7en. The restaurant is known for their Jjimdak (chicken stew with vegetables and glass noodles). And is also frequented by celebrities, especially YG artist like Bigbang kkkkk.

*photo cr: bigbangupdates.com*

Considering this is our third day that time, it was a first time for me, Lyka and Lulur to see the main streets of Hongdae, and oh my god there are so many stalls that sells 10,000₩ (Php 407) clothes, 1,000₩ (Php 40) socks, plus other temptations that makes me forget about my hunger LOL!

Once you see the big signage of Prince Edward (noraebang: karaoke house), then Yeolbong is already next to it.

We arrived at Yeolbong past 2:00pm, but the place was still packed!

We were six (6) in the group and we ordered one medium (3-4pax) set each of the classic Andong Jjjimdak and the Curry Jjimdak, And of course six servings of rice. The waitress was shocked that we ordered that much rice. Because in Korea, they usually eat the viand first then they usually mix the rice with the remaining sauce and eat it separately. Hence, the waitress' funny reaction.

Each order of the medium (3-4pax) serving costs 26,000₩ (Php 1,060). Other serving choices are the small (2 pax) one which costs 19,000₩ (Php 774) and the large (4-5 pax) one which costs 35,000₩ (Php 1,427). You can customize your Jjimdak based on the level of spiciness (Mild, Normal, Spicy, Very Spicy) and you can also choose if you want the noodles to be thin or thick. We chose the mild level of spiciness and thick noodles for both dish.

As soon as I tasted the Jjimdak, I wanted to cry. It was so yummy! The best dish that I had the entireeeee trip! The chicken was so tender it was falling of its bones. The sauce of the classic and curry jjimdak was flavorful but not overpowering. I was eating the free radish kimchi while switching viands to clean my palate. And I just can't stop eating, most of us even ordered extra rice. hihihi

We weren't able to finish everything because we were so full. Korean serving is really different back in the Philippines because when they say it is good for 3-4 pax, it usually means up to 6 pax already. We split the bill and each of us paid 11,200₩ (Php 456).

Before heading to Myeongdong, I made a quick stop to Hongdae Park to see one of the most famous k-drama locations and to also check the Hongdae Free Market which happens every Saturday except winter season.