Two Bills for Sweet and Sour Pork? Recommended Budget-Friendly Restaurants!

Dunk it? Dip it? Stop thinking and just grab another bite!

Jjajangmyeon vs Jjamppong? This is one of the classic questions that come up in balance games. Even after answering this question, we still hesitate every time we order Tangsuyuk. Because not ordering Tangsuyuk at a Chinese restaurant is unthinkable. How can you miss out on crispy Tangsuyuk, made with thick pork coated in batter and covered in sweet and sour sauce? If you want to eat it, just eat it! Instead of vaguely saying it’s ‘cheap,’ it’s more fitting to say it has great value for money. Here, we introduce affordable Tangsuyuk restaurants where a bowl of Tangsuyuk costs less than a cup of coffee. Is it even possible these days for a bowl of Tangsuyuk to be cheaper than a cup of coffee? Don’t be surprised; it’s not that a zero was dropped from the price.

Halbeom Tangsuyuk Main Branch

Photo by Naver Place 'Halbeom Tangsuyuk Main Branch'

Halbeom Tangsuyuk, located inside Mokdong Kkaebi Market in Seoul, is a famous restaurant that has even been featured on TV. Many locals order takeout, making it a trustworthy place to eat, and true to its name, it is renowned for its Tangsuyuk. The ratio of meat to batter is well balanced, making it hard to believe it’s worth just two bills (2,000 won). The sweet and sour sauce with carrots and onions showcases a classic example of old-fashioned Tangsuyuk.

※For takeout, sauce can be packed separately from 2 servings and up; for 1 serving, sauce is mixed in, so dipping sauce lovers beware!

Honeydon

Photo by Naver Place 'Heonidon'

Honeydon’s signature menu is Tangsuyuk, fried carefully using first-grade domestic female pork, living up to its name (Don means pig). There is no porky or gamey smell, and since it is fried fresh upon order, you can enjoy crispy Tangsuyuk as is. The sweet sauce and chewy texture of glutinous rice blend perfectly, making you think ‘this is truly the signature’ with the first bite.

※For takeout, sauce can be packed separately from 2 servings and up; for 1 serving, sauce is mixed in, so dipping sauce lovers beware!

Hoho Bunsik

Photo by Naver Place 'Hoho Bunsik'

This is a famous restaurant in Ssangmundong, often mentioned in dramas and song lyrics. Known for its cheese rice, the price of Tangsuyuk here hasn’t changed much over the years. The walls covered with graffiti from nearby middle and high school students evoke memories of school days. The batter of the Tangsuyuk is soaked in sauce, giving it a soft texture. It reminds you of the Tangsuyuk you wished you had more of during school meals! The sauce with cucumber, carrot, and onion gives it the appearance of Chinese restaurant Tangsuyuk.

※Highly recommend the Tangsumanju! Unlike empty fried dumplings, these are real dumplings with sweet and savory Tangsuyuk sauce♥

A must-say for dipping sauce lovers: “Please pour the sauce on only one side!”