Fodor's Expert Review Joseon Gimbap

This Samcheong-dong institution serves one of the best gimbaps (seaweed rice rolls) in the country. Although most gimbap restaurants cater to younger demographics with fillings like tonkatsu (fried porklet) and tuna-mayonnaise, this small eatery serves dishes that adhere to more traditional recipes from Joseon kingdom times, including two types of gimbap, kongbiji (ground soybean stew) and Joseon guksi (warm noodles with a soybean-paste soup). Both gimbaps have the typical pickled, yellow radish, ham, and sliced carrot fillings but the Joseon gimbap throws ugeoji namul (seasoned cabbage leaves) into the mix while the Odeng gimbap has an entire sheet of fish cake at its center. These dishes are more of an acquired taste, but the fresh ingredients and the neat ambiance of the restaurant set Joseon Gimbap apart from other gimbap joints.