Hyundae Jungyook Shikdang

One of Gangnam’s best Kimchi jjigae spots in Seoul is Hyundae Jungyook Shikdang (roughly translated to Modern Butcher’s Restaurant, thy do mention that they are specialized in the spicy red soup on their store banner). The restaurant started off being a butcher shop, then in 1955 changed its name to what is now, expanding the menu to include samgyeopsal and kimchi jjigae. To make this Korean staple of a soup, the most important ingredients are well fermented kimchi and pork—what Jungyook Shikdang delivers is just that. With fat pieces of meat and perfectly fermented kimchi made with pickled anchovies and shrimps, their soup is cooked to perfection. Upon ordering, the chef will collect some of their pre-cooked soup into an earthen bowl and let it boil. Open 24/7, you’ll find a couple of customers late at night pairing soup with some soju. Personally, I recommend this place as a yi-cha (second round of drinking) spot.