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Cheap eats in Jongno, Seoul: 25 places (October 2026)

25 restaurants in the Korea on a Plate guide for cheap eats in Jongno, ranked Monthly 30 first and then by Google rating. Each has hours, a price per person and what to order.

In this guide: Ttukbaegijip (Earthen Pot House), Sunhee's Bindaetteok, Imun Seolnongtang, Songam Onban, Hyehwa Dodam.

At a glance: Price per person ₩5,000–₩15,000 (middle ₩12,000). Average Google rating ★4.2. 0 of 25 are open late or 24 hours.

Updated 2026-10-05

Tips before you go

Compare the top 10

RestaurantAreaOrderPer personGoogle
Ttukbaegijip (Earthen Pot House)JongnoUreong Doenjang · soybean paste stew with freshwater snails₩9,000★4.5
Sunhee's BindaetteokJongnoBindaetteok · mung-bean pancake₩15,000★4
Imun SeolnongtangJongnoSeolleongtang · ox bone soup₩15,000★4
Songam OnbanJongnoOnban · warm rice in clear broth with toppings₩12,000★4.8
Hyehwa DodamJongnoKimchi-jjim · braised aged kimchi with pork₩11,000★4.6
Sujeong SikdangJongnoJeyuk Ssambap · spicy stir-fried pork with rice and leafy wraps₩11,000★4.4
Milgwabori (Wheat and Barley)JongnoMinari-jeon · water dropwort pancake₩12,000★4.4
Wonjo Nudeu Chijeu Gimbap (Original Nude Cheese Gimbap)JongnoJapchae gimbap · rice roll filled with glass-noodle japchae₩5,000★4.3
Oiji (Pickled Cucumber)JongnoChadol deulgireum guksu · perilla oil noodles with beef brisket₩14,000★4.4
Buchon Yukhoe AnnexJongnoYukhoe bibimbap · rice bowl topped with seasoned raw beef₩11,000★4.4
Bubbling fermented soybean stew in an earthenware pot
Representative dish photo
Monthly 30
Jongno · Jongno 3-gaKorean stew restaurant★ 4.5 (1,445)

Ttukbaegijip (Earthen Pot House)

뚝배기집

Early breakfastSolo diningNot spicy

₩9,000 per person

Hours 07:00–21:30

Ttukbaegijip is a small stew restaurant near Jongno 3-ga serving four stews in earthenware pots: snail doenjang, plain doenjang, soft tofu and kimchi stew, all priced ₩8,000–₩9,000. DiningCode reviewers most often describe it as unpretentious, good value and popular with locals.

START WITHUreong Doenjang · soybean paste stew with freshwater snails
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Golden mung bean pancake (bindaetteok) with vegetables on a plate
Representative dish photo
Monthly 30
Jongno · Gwangjang MarketMung-bean pancakes★ 4.0 (1,733)

Sunhee's Bindaetteok

순희네빈대떡

First time in KoreaNear the sightsSolo dining

₩15,000 per person

Hours 10:00–21:00

One of the best-known pancake stalls inside Gwangjang Market, a covered market that has fed Seoul since 1905. Sit at the counter, watch the pancakes fry a few feet away, and eat on a stool the way market regulars do.

START WITHBindaetteok · mung-bean pancake
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Korean beef soup
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Ikseon-dongOnban & suyuk restaurant★ 4.8 (311)

Songam Onban

송암온반

Not spicyNear the sights

₩12,000 per person

Hours 11:30–22:00

A Korean restaurant in Ikseon-dong centred on onban, rice served in a warm broth, alongside soy-sauce suyuk (sliced boiled pork), dumplings, perilla-oil buckwheat noodles and samgyetang. DiningCode reviewers most often describe it as upscale, with a good view, clean and quiet.

START WITHOnban · warm rice in clear broth with toppings
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Spicy jjimgalbi braised beef ribs topped with scallions
Representative dish photo
Hyehwa · Daehak-roKimchi-jjim and makgeolli pub★ 4.6 (443)

Hyehwa Dodam

혜화도담

Groups & sharingBring the heat

₩11,000 per person

Hours 11:00–22:00

Hyehwa Dodam is about 180 m from Hyehwa Station and is listed on DiningCode for kimchi-jjim and makgeolli. The menu centres on kimchi-jjim and braised pork ribs in shareable sizes, plus a green onion pancake, and reviewers most often call it down-to-earth, casual, lively and popular with locals.

START WITHKimchi-jjim · braised aged kimchi with pork
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Thin marinated beef cooking on a domed tabletop pan
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Jongno 3-gaSsambap and pork grill restaurant★ 4.4 (695)

Sujeong Sikdang

수정식당

Solo diningBring the heat

₩11,000 per person

Hours 11:00–21:30

Sujeong Sikdang, near Jongno 3-ga, is listed on DiningCode for jeyuk ssambap, rice and pork eaten wrapped in leafy greens. The menu also offers 150 g portions of pork belly, pork jowl and pork neck, plus soy-marinated crab and abalone. Reviewers most often describe it as unpretentious, good value and lively.

START WITHJeyuk Ssambap · spicy stir-fried pork with rice and leafy wraps
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Korean seafood and scallion pancake
Representative dish photo
Bukchon · Gye-dong (Anguk)Korean pancake and home-style restaurant★ 4.4 (254)

Milgwabori (Wheat and Barley)

밀과보리

Solo diningGroups & sharingNot spicy

₩12,000 per person

Hours 11:15–21:00

Milgwabori in Gye-dong, near Anguk Station, is listed on DiningCode for minari-jeon and gondeure-bap. Minari, potato and kimchi pancakes are ₩12,000 each, gondeure rice is ₩11,000 per person (minimum two), and there is also clam kalguksu and spicy braised chicken; DiningCode reviewers most often call it down-to-earth, casual and popular with locals.

START WITHMinari-jeon · water dropwort pancake
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Sliced vegetable gimbap seaweed rice rolls
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Gwangjang MarketMarket gimbap stall★ 4.3 (648)

Wonjo Nudeu Chijeu Gimbap (Original Nude Cheese Gimbap)

원조누드치즈김밥

First time in KoreaSolo diningEarly breakfast

₩5,000 per person

Hours 05:00–18:00

This Gwangjang Market stall, about 220 m from Jongno 5-ga Station, is listed on DiningCode for gimbap and japchae. The short menu covers japchae gimbap, cheese-tuna gimbap, a set of rolls, fish cake and japchae, and reviewers most often call it down-to-earth, good value, lively and casual.

START WITHJapchae gimbap · rice roll filled with glass-noodle japchae
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Jeju pork noodle soup
Representative dish photo
Hyehwa · DaehangnoFusion Korean restaurant★ 4.4 (216)

Oiji (Pickled Cucumber)

오이지

₩14,000 per person

Hours 11:30–22:00

Oiji, next to Hyehwa Station in Daehangno, is listed on DiningCode as a fusion Korean restaurant. The menu runs from perilla oil noodles with brisket and pollock roe cheese soft tofu to black sesame cream sujebi, sukiyaki and chashu kimchi rice bowls, and a crispy cheese potato pancake. Reviewers most often call it casual, clean, pretty and lively.

START WITHChadol deulgireum guksu · perilla oil noodles with beef brisket
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A mound of yukhoe, Korean seasoned raw beef tartare topped with a bright egg yolk and sesame seeds
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Gwangjang MarketBeef tartare restaurant★ 4.4 (184)

Buchon Yukhoe Annex

부촌육회 별관

Near the sightsNot spicy

₩11,000 per person

Hours 10:00–21:30

This annex sits by Gwangjang Market and is listed on DiningCode for yukhoe, Korean seasoned raw beef, and yukhoe bibimbap. The menu also offers live octopus tartare, raw beef sashimi, and liver and tripe. Reviewers most often describe it as down-to-earth, lively, casual and good value.

START WITHYukhoe bibimbap · rice bowl topped with seasoned raw beef
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Korean bibimbap rice with colorful toppings
Representative dish photo
Seochon · Nuha-dongHome-style rice bowls★ 4.4 (146)

Bap Plus

밥플러스

Solo diningNear the sights

₩12,000 per person

Hours 11:30–20:30

A small home-style restaurant in Seochon serving rice bowls and simple single plates: beef rice bowl, cockle bibimbap, gondre (thistle) rice, curry and pork-cutlet rice bowls, and udon. Prices sit between ₩9,000 and ₩13,000, which suits a quick meal while walking the area.

START WITHDeopbap · Korean rice bowls
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Korean jokbal braised pork trotters
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Bukchon · AngukBossam and home-style Korean★ 4.3 (249)

Aehorak

애호락

Groups & sharingNear the sights

₩12,000 per person

Hours 11:00–21:30

Aehorak is in Gye-dong, about 80 m from Anguk Station, and is listed on DiningCode for bossam set meals and aehobak (Korean zucchini) stew. Lunch specials include a bossam set and zucchini stew, while dinner centres on a five-item bossam platter, and reviewers most often call it clean, down-to-earth and casual.

START WITHBossam · boiled pork slices with wraps and side dishes
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Golden mung bean pancake (bindaetteok) with vegetables on a plate
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Gwangjang MarketMarket pancake and yukhoe stall★ 4.2 (924)

Tongkeun Nuine Yukhoe Bindaetteok (Big-Hearted Sister's Beef Tartare & Mung Bean Pancakes)

통큰누이네 육회빈대떡

First time in KoreaEarly breakfastGroups & sharing

₩6,000 per person

Hours 09:00–22:20

This Gwangjang Market spot, about 100 m from Jongno 5-ga Station, is listed on DiningCode for bindaetteok and yukhoe. The menu pairs mung bean pancakes with beef tartare dishes, mini gimbap and makgeolli, and reviewers most often call it down-to-earth, lively, casual and good value.

START WITHNokdu bindaetteok · mung bean pancake, millstone-ground per the menu
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Thin marinated beef cooking on a domed tabletop pan
Representative dish photo
Jongno · JonggakKorean set-meal diner★ 4.2 (545)

Hwangso Gojip (Stubborn Ox)

황소고집

Solo diningBring the heat

₩8,000 per person

Hours 10:30–21:00

Hwangso Gojip in the Jonggak area is listed on DiningCode for gochujang bulgogi and baekban, a rice-and-side-dish set meal. The short menu also has spicy stir-fried pork duruchigi, extra meat and fried rice to finish. Reviewers most often call it down-to-earth, good value, lively and a lesser-known local pick.

START WITHGochujang bulgogi · pork bulgogi in red chili paste sauce
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Thin marinated beef cooking on a domed tabletop pan
Representative dish photo
Hyehwa · Myeongnyun-dongHome-style Korean lunch boxes★ 4.2 (126)

Myeongryun Geongangwon

명륜건강원

Solo dining

₩11,800 per person

Hours 11:00–20:30

A small home-style restaurant near Hyehwa serving dosirak (Korean lunch-box meals) such as flame-grilled beef bulgogi, apple-gochujang stir-fried pork, tomato braised chicken and a chickpea-tofu curry. DiningCode reviewers most often describe it as an under-the-radar spot that is clean, casual and popular with locals.

START WITHDosirak · home-style Korean lunch box
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Korean steamed dumplings
Representative dish photo
Jongno · InsadongDumplings & rice-cake soup★ 4.1 (1,553)

Gaeseong Mandu Koong

개성만두 궁

Near the sightsGroups & sharingNot spicy

₩15,000 per person

Hours Sun–Tue 11:30–20:00; Wed–Sat 11:30–21:30

Make room for handmade dumplings while exploring Insadong. This restaurant also serves traditional joraengi rice-cake soup.

START WITHHandmade mandu
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Dakdoritang spicy braised chicken stew with potatoes in a pot
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Jongno 3-gaSpicy braised chicken★ 4.1 (1,741)

Gyerim Dakdoritang

종로계림닭도리탕원조 본점

Groups & sharingBring the heat

₩15,000 per person

Hours 11:30–21:45

A Jongno 3-ga institution for garlicky, chili-red braised chicken, sized by the pot so groups can order without fuss. The alley has several similarly named competitors, but this original branch is the one longtime locals point to.

START WITHDakdoritang · spicy braised chicken with potatoes
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Bubbling fermented soybean stew in an earthenware pot
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Nagwon ArcadeHome-style baekban restaurant★ 4.1 (320)

Ilmi Sikdang

일미식당

Solo diningNot spicy

₩10,000 per person

Hours 11:00–20:00

Ilmi Sikdang is near Nagwon Arcade, about 240 m from Jongno 3-ga Station, and is listed on DiningCode for baekban set meals and cheonggukjang. The cheonggukjang set is served for one, while the stir-fry sets are for two, and reviewers most often call it down-to-earth, local and good value.

START WITHCheonggukjang baekban · fermented soybean stew with rice and side dishes
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Spicy jjimgalbi braised beef ribs topped with scallions
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Anguk / BukchonAged-kimchi stew restaurant★ 4.1 (476)

Bukchon Kimchijae (Bukchon Kimchi House)

북촌김치재

Near the sightsSolo diningBring the heat

₩13,000 per person

Hours 11:00–21:00

Bukchon Kimchijae, about 120 m from Anguk Station, builds its menu around mugeunji (long-aged kimchi): braised ribs, kimchi stew, braised mackerel, pork belly and duruchigi stir-fry, plus braised cutlassfish. Mains run ₩11,000–₩17,000. DiningCode reviewers most often describe it as unpretentious, casual, lively and generous.

START WITHMugeunji Galbijjim · braised ribs with long-aged kimchi
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Korean beef hot pot
Representative dish photo
Gwanghwamun · Taepyeong-roKimchi stew and set-meal diner★ 4.0 (184)

Oyang Sikgwan

오양식관

First time in KoreaSolo diningBring the heat

₩13,000 per person

Hours 10:00–22:00

Oyang Sikgwan is a Gwanghwamun restaurant listed on DiningCode for kimchi-jjigae and rolled omelette. The whole-pork kimchi duru-jjigae is ₩10,000, and the Oyang set (₩13,000) combines the stew with flame-grilled spicy pork and rolled omelette; DiningCode reviewers most often describe it as down-to-earth, lively and casual.

START WITHKimchi duru-jjigae · pork and kimchi stew
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Korean cold noodles
Representative dish photo
Jongno · Jongno 3-gaOld-school noodle diner★ 4.0 (1,321)

Yujin Sikdang

유진식당

First time in KoreaSolo diningNot spicy

₩12,000 per person

Hours 11:30–21:00

A no-frills diner steps from Jongno 3-ga Station, between Tapgol Park and the Gwangjang Market area. It's a cheap, unfussy way to try mild Pyongyang-style naengmyeon without the wait or price tag of the city's famous noodle houses.

START WITHPyongyang naengmyeon & nokdu-jijim · cold noodles with mung-bean pancake
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A bowl of sujebi, Korean hand-torn dough flake soup with zucchini and potato, served with a side of kimchi
Representative dish photo
Jongno-gu · Samcheong-dong (Bukchon)hand-torn dough soup specialist★ 4.0 (4,232)

Samcheongdong Sujebi

삼청동수제비

First time in KoreaNot spicyNear the sights

₩14,000 per person

Hours 11:00–20:00

Running since 1982 at the top of the Samcheong-dong hanok slope, this homestyle diner serves a gentle, comforting bowl that has fed generations of visitors to Bukchon and the nearby palace walls. Its nostalgic, low-key dining room feels a world away from the boutiques and cafes that now line the street outside.

START WITHSujebi · hand-torn dough soup in clam broth
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Bubbling fermented soybean stew in an earthenware pot
Representative dish photo
Samcheong-dong · GwanghwamunCasual Korean stew restaurant★ 3.9 (347)

Cheonggukjang Bap (Fermented Soybean Stew & Rice)

청국장밥

Solo diningNot spicyNear the sights

₩11,000 per person

Hours 10:00–21:00

A Korean restaurant in the Samcheong-dong area centred on cheonggukjang, a strong-smelling fermented soybean stew served with rice, plus set meals pairing it with braised kodari (half-dried pollack) or pork bulgogi. DiningCode reviewers most often call it down-to-earth, casual, popular with locals and clean.

START WITHCheonggukjang · rich fermented soybean stew with rice
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FAQ

Which restaurants in Korea are good for cheap eats in Jongno?

In this guide: Ttukbaegijip (Earthen Pot House), Sunhee's Bindaetteok, Imun Seolnongtang, Songam Onban, Hyehwa Dodam.

Which is the cheapest here?

Wonjo Nudeu Chijeu Gimbap (Original Nude Cheese Gimbap), about ₩5,000 per person.

Which has the highest Google rating?

Songam Onban: ★4.8 from 311 reviews.

How were these chosen?

Every place is in the Korea on a Plate guide, written by an editor who runs four restaurants in Seoul. The list is filtered from published hours, prices and tags; nobody pays to be listed.

Latest Table Notes

What a Seoul restaurant owner ordered, paid and noticed.

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