Discover 5 Iconic 100-Year-Old Restaurants in Korea: A Culinary Journey Through Tradition
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Five Restaurants Over a Century Old
- A Naju gomtang classic with more than 100 years of history: Naju ‘Naju Gomtang Hayanjip’
- Over 100 years! Four generations preserving traditional yukhoe bibimbap: Jinju ‘Cheonhwang Sikdang’
- A four-generation sweet-and-sour pork institution: Namwon ‘Gyeongbangru’
- Pyeongsanok, a century-old spot in Busan honored by Michelin for its clean boiled pork and noodles
- The undisputed history of seolleongtang in Korea: Jongno ‘Imun Seolleongtang’
Places that have held their ground for more than a century are about more than just great food. They carry layers of stories: hands that perfected recipes over generations, techniques that were never compromised, and spaces that feel soaked in time. Instead of flashy reinvention, their appeal is steady craftsmanship and atmosphere—the kind that makes a simple meal feel like an event. Here are five century-old eateries where that enduring charm is still very much alive.
Naju’s century-old gomtang landmark, Naju ‘Naju Gomtang Hayanjip’
Naju ‘Naju Gomtang Hayanjip’ is one of the city’s most iconic old restaurants, keeping a consistent flavor for more than 100 years. The gomtang recipe has been passed down for four generations, built on honest ingredients and careful, time-tested cooking. The broth is famously clean and lean—the house spends three hours every day skimming fat and impurities to deliver a clear, savory soup. That dedication results in a bowl that’s simple, comforting, and unforgettable.
| See more on Siksin: ‘Naju Gomtang Hayanjip’
- ✔위치
6-1 Geumseonggwan-gil, Naju, Jeollanam-do
- ✔영업시간
Daily 08:00-20:00 / Closed on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
- ✔가격
Gomtang 13,000원 (approximately $9.75) · Suyuk Gomtang 15,000원 (approximately $11.25) · Suyuk 40,000원 (approximately $30.00)
100년 이상! 4대를 이어오는 전통의 육회 비빔밥, 진주 ‘천황식당’
Opened in 1915, Cheonhwang Sikdang has carried Jinju’s bibimbap tradition through four generations. Their standout dish is yukhoe bibimbap—seasonal, tender greens, fresh Korean beef yukhoe, soy sauce made from traditional meju, and a house-secret gochujang come together for a bright, layered bowl. A side of seonji hangover soup (a beef-blood soup) refreshes the palate and elevates the bibimbap. The charcoal-grilled bulgogi, with its sweet glaze and smoky char, is a perfect companion to the yukhoe bibimbap.
| See more on Siksin: ‘Cheonhwang Sikdang’
- ✔위치
3 Chokseok-ro 207beon-gil, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do
- ✔영업시간
Daily 06:00-21:00 (Last order 20:00)
- ✔가격
Yukhoe Bibimbap 13,000원 (approximately $9.75) · Charcoal Bulgogi 30,000원 (approximately $22.50) · Korean Beef Yukhoe 50,000원 (approximately $37.50)
4대를 이어오고 있는 탕수육 맛집, 남원 ‘경방루’
Gyeongbangru in Namwon traces its history back to the early 1900s, when Jin Gyeongbang immigrated from China and opened the place. Now in its fourth generation, it’s one of Namwon’s oldest Chinese restaurants. Their tangsuyuk comes ‘bu-meok’ style—crispy, old-school batter topped with a thick, sticky sauce. Crunchy lotus root and chewy wood-ear mushrooms add texture, making each bite a balanced mix of crisp, sticky, and savory.
ㅣ식신에서 ‘경방루’ 더 자세히 보기▶
- ▲위치
29 Gwanghanbuk-ro, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do
- ▲영업시간
Daily 11:00-21:00 (Break 15:30-17:00) / Closed on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
- ▲가격
Jjajangmyeon 8,000원 (approximately $6.00) · Tangsuyuk (small) 23,000원 (approximately $17.25)
담백한 돼지수육과 국수로 미쉐린까지 받은 백년식당, 부산 ‘평산옥’
Pyeongsanok in Busan is a century-old specialty spot for boiled pork. The signature dish features thinly sliced suyuk served with shredded radish, seasoned chives, and a sweet-and-tangy house sauce. The pork is sliced thin to balance meat and fat, giving it a tender, clean finish. Eat it with the chive salad and radish for extra layers of flavor. They also serve noodles in pork broth with scallions and kimchi—a light, savory pairing for the suyuk.
| See more on Siksin: ‘Pyeongsanok’
- ✔위치
26 Choryangjung-ro, Dong-gu, Busan
- ✔영업시간
Mon–Sat 10:00-20:00 / Closed every Sunday
- ✔가격
Suyuk 10,000원 (approximately $7.50) · Noodles 3,000원 (approximately $2.25) · Young Radish Noodles 4,000원 (approximately $3.00)
자타공인 대한민국 설렁탕의 역사, 종로 ‘이문설렁탕’
‘Imun Seolleongtang’ carries 100 years of history and is recognized as part of Seoul’s future heritage for its role in Jongno’s culinary story. Their seolleongtang is served with rice and thin noodles, poured over with hot, comforting broth. The soup sits between cloudy and clear—mild, savory, and low in oil. Because the broth isn’t pre-seasoned, you customize each bowl with salt, pepper, and scallions to taste. Ordering the ‘special seolleongtang’ lets you try a variety of beef cuts—spleen, tongue, and head meat among them. Both the soup and the kimchi are made without added MSG, so the flavors are clean and balanced.
| See more on Siksin: ‘Imun Seolleongtang’
- ✔위치
38-13 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- ✔영업시간
Mon–Sat 08:00–21:00, Sun 08:00–20:00, Break time 15:00–16:30
- ✔가격
Seolleongtang 14,000원 (approximately $10.50) · Doganitang 17,000원 (approximately $12.75) · Head Meat Soup 16,000원 (approximately $12.00)
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