Haengdang/Wangsimni Station Restaurants: A Visit to ‘Jaesudon Gamjatang’ Loved by Sung Si-kyung
Despite the cold weather, after finishing my shopping at Dongdaemun DDP from early morning, I visited the ‘Jaesudon Gamjatang’ Wangsimni branch near Haengdang/Wangsimni Station, carrying heavy bags. This gamjatang restaurant, featured on Netflix’s ‘Crazy Restaurant’, is about a 6-7 minute walk away.
It opens at 10 AM and is closed on Mondays, so please keep that in mind when visiting.
The interior of the restaurant was quite cozy, and it was already full of customers, so I couldn’t take interior photos. I had heard that there was a long wait after being featured on ‘Crazy Restaurant’, but fortunately, only two teams were waiting when I visited. Seeing the previous team waiting outside, I also waited in the cold.
Consideration for Solo Diners
Since I was dining alone, I was led to a table for four, which made me feel a little apologetic. I placed my luggage on one side of the table, and they recommended the ‘Ppyeo-haejang-guk’ (pork bone soup) for solo diners, so I ordered that.
The familiar background seen on the broadcast caught my eye. It was fascinating to be seated in a similar spot to where Sung Si-kyung and Matjigae sat. When asked if I could share a table with another customer, I readily agreed. I was touched by the staff’s kindness when they personally moved my luggage and kindly asked me to take care of it later. I felt bad for occupying a four-person table alone during the busy lunch hour, and I was truly grateful for their friendly service.
Neat and Delicious Side Dishes
The side dishes included kimchi, seasoned chili peppers with doenjang, and spicy pickled radish. Although ‘The Solitary Gourmet’ Matsuge said he didn’t even touch the side dishes because the gamjatang was so delicious, the kimchi here was perfectly sour, and the pickled radish had an excellent crunchy texture and sweet flavor. All three side dishes were delicious.
The rice was also served generously, like a packed bowl. Holding the warm bowl of rice, I felt warmth return to my hands, which had been chilled by the cold.
The Star of ‘Crazy Restaurant’, Ppyeo-haejang-guk
The Ppyeo-haejang-guk, priced at 9,000 won, arrived bubbling. My mouth watered watching the two people enjoy it so much on the broadcast, and I finally got to taste it.
There were two large pieces of pork bone in the soup. I transferred them to a small bowl and picked off the meat. Following Sung Si-kyung’s recommendation, I covered the meat with the wilted greens and ate them together, and it was a ‘crazy combination’. Personally, I found the soft and tender greens even more delicious than the meat. The meat had a rich, savory flavor, and it tasted even better dipped in the mustard sauce.
If you visit with two or more people, you can order a small size of gamjatang to enjoy the potatoes and the delicious fried rice made afterwards. I was truly disappointed that I couldn’t try the potatoes in the gamjatang, which is my favorite, or the fried rice.
Traces of Memories and a Warm Conclusion
The restaurant displayed autographed messages from singer Sung Si-kyung and ‘The Solitary Gourmet’ Matsuge. I was able to experience delicious happiness for less than 10,000 won, at just 9,000 won.
If you like gamjatang, I highly recommend visiting with two or more people to try it. I was once again grateful for the kindness I felt, despite it being an old, established restaurant. The weather is very cold, so please take care not to catch a cold, and I wish you always good health.
Jaesudon Gamjatang Wangsimni Branch
1F, 13, Eungbongsan-ro 21-gil, Seongdong District, Seoul Special City Seongdong District Wangsimni
https://naver.me/xkxExuaG
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