Chaewon Gamjatang

This is a beloved Gamjatang (Pork Backbone Stew) restaurant located near Singumho Station in Seongdong-gu, Seoul 🍲If you're dining solo, the Pork Hangover Soup is perfect, and if you're with a group, ordering a full pot of Gamjatang is the way to go. The restaurant provides aprons, so be sure to wear one to protect your clothes from splashes of broth and sauce!The basic side dishes are simple yet classic: kkakdugi (radish kimchi), green chili peppers, and ssamjang (spicy dipping sauce). Gamjatang is a hearty dish made by simmering pork backbone with potatoes and vegetables for a long time, resulting in tender meat and a deeply flavorful broth that gets richer the longer it boils.The pot comes piled high with perilla leaves and mustard greens, and you should let it come to a boil on the gas burner before eating. Once bubbling, pick up a big chunk of meat, transfer it to your plate, and enjoy pulling it apart with chopsticks—or use your hands for the best experience. The meat is juicy, flavorful, and has just the right amount of fat for that irresistible taste 🤤

For extra flavor, dip the meat lightly in the mustard soy sauce provided on the table. Though some say picking the meat from between the bones is a bit of work, once you fall for the taste, there’s no going back. The perilla leaves and greens add a fresh crunch that perfectly complements the deep broth. Locals praise the stew for being rich yet clean-tasting, leaving a refreshing finish.Hidden inside the soup are chewy sujebi (hand-torn dough pieces) and fluffy potatoes, so don’t miss them 🥔.After finishing most of the meat and broth, adding ramyeon noodles for the finale is highly recommended — the combination of the thick, rich broth and noodles creates another layer of deliciousness 🍜This is a true local favorite — a place you'll want to revisit whenever you're craving Gamjatang. 😉