Bucket List Restaurants at Home! (feat. Ddinggul Market)

Famous Restaurant Dishes You Can Enjoy Without Waiting in Line

These days, when I go grocery shopping, my eyes and hands are especially drawn to the "meal kit" category. Even someone like me, who is not familiar with cooking, can prepare a perfect meal in a short time, and the taste is guaranteed. Amid the ongoing impact of COVID-19, small business owners are providing comfort to consumers by launching meal kits. One of the biggest advantages of meal kits is that you can enjoy the local flavors without having to make a long trip and visit in person. I’ve decided to plan a regional travel series through meal kits soon as a . (Please recommend in the comments!)

As a preview, I’m introducing the editor’s true bucket list restaurants. The editor, who usually enjoys finding great restaurants, once visited these places but had to turn back due to the crowd. But! Now you can enjoy these dishes at home. Although similar to meal kits, they are different, and having them packaged and delivered right to your doorstep without visiting in person... I will review in detail including the taste and photo similarity.

[Apple House] Instant Tteokbokki & Seasoned Fried Dumplings

Apple House, which relocated to Isu, is a sanctuary for tteokbokki lovers! Their instant tteokbokki, filled with thin and long wheat rice cakes, triangular fish cakes, and crunchy cabbage, has been loved by many for a long time. I ordered it along with their signature seasoned fried dumplings, which have a nostalgic school snack shop vibe, and tried them together.

The sauce, made by blending chunjang (black bean paste) and gochujang (red chili paste), has a dark reddish color. It’s not too spicy, but if you keep eating, the heat gradually rises and you start to sweat. It’s a taste and visual that brings back memories of eating with friends in small groups. The chewy noodles might mask the flavor of the tteokbokki sauce due to the flour taste. The seasoned fried dumplings, which boast a perfect harmony, are arguably even more famous than the tteokbokki. I thought they would be empty fried dumplings with just a little glass noodles inside, but when I bit into one, it was full inside, giving a rich feeling. The first bite didn’t quite meet expectations, but the spicy and tangy sauce is quite charming.

Photo Similarity & One-line Review : ★★★☆☆ / Recommended to cook slowly on a portable gas burner while simmering!

[Jungang Haejang] Yang Seonji Haejang-guk

This is a famous restaurant in Samseong-dong known for its gopchang jeongol (beef tripe hot pot). The place attracts a wide range of age groups and has a charm that invites you to drink after a hangover cure. Wanting to try the gopchang jeongol in person, I ordered the yang seonji haejang-guk (2 servings). It includes broth, yang seonji (beef omasum), cubed radish kimchi, mustard sauce, and chopped green onions.

TMI: First time trying yang seonji haejang-guk! It’s generously filled with beef omasum and tripe. The broth is refreshing and spicy thanks to bean sprouts. The yang seonji, which I tried for the first time, was not overwhelming when dipped generously in mustard sauce. You can enjoy the crunchy bean sprouts, the soft dried radish greens, and the chewy texture of the beef omasum in a variety of ways. For an editor who usually likes spicy food, I wished it was a bit spicier. I’ll have to visit in person and enjoy a glass of soju with the gopchang jeongol.

Photo Similarity & One-line Review: ★★★★☆ / Gopchang jeongol, just wait for it!

[Uirak] Chili Pepper Tempura

Uirak (雨耳樂), located in Mangwon Market, means "joy in the sound of rain." It sells various jeon (Korean pancakes) and Makgeolli, making it a must-visit place on rainy days. You even have to wait in line to get takeout here, and the reason is the chili pepper tempura. How delicious can it be? The visual is...

The batter doesn’t just make the tempura bigger; to exaggerate a bit, the chili pepper is as big as a forearm and packed full inside. Even after microwaving, it maintains its crispiness, which is great. Although it’s chili pepper tempura, it’s not spicy at all, so no need to worry. It’s seasoned enough to eat without dipping in soy sauce, but I recommend adding a slice of onion and a chili pepper on top to enhance the texture. Now I understand why so many people keep coming back. It’s definitely the best chili pepper tempura I’ve ever had.

Photo Similarity & One-line Review : ★★★★★ / It’s a big deal because I discovered the taste.

All dishes are available for purchase at Ddinggul Market!

Photo by Yoon Eun-ae