Enjoying Overseas Travel in Chungmuro

Exotic Restaurants Experienced in Chungmuro

Although the skies have opened up and we can travel freely, it’s not as easy as it seems. What truly soothes my heart is, as always, a special dish. There are many great restaurants serving Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines, but since they are so easily accessible, they don’t feel particularly special. At times like this, I head out to enjoy authentic Chinese dishes like hot pot and lamb skewers, where you can really taste the spices, or Southeast Asian cuisine. When I close my eyes and savor the food, I fall into the happy illusion of being right there in the local place. Even though it’s a bitterly cold winter day with sharp winds when I open my eyes, being able to enjoy a moment of leisure as if I were abroad is the best comfort I could ask for.

Jindeomien

Jindeomien, where you can taste Chinese home-style cooking, offers both hearty broth-based noodle soups and trendy dishes. What I ordered here was Gopsu Jeongol, Cumin Pork Ribs, and a Gaoliang Liquor Highball. Gopsu Jeongol is a hot pot made with beef bone broth, various ingredients, and beef intestines. The deeply flavorful broth, combined with the base and mushrooms, leaves a clean and refreshing aftertaste. The intestines and meat were so tender they seemed to melt in my mouth, with a slight hint of smoky flavor. They serve mala sauce separately, which you can add when you crave something spicy. After finishing, they cook noodles in the remaining broth, making it feel like I had mala beef intestine noodles as well, which was very satisfying.

It wouldn’t be complete without meat! The cumin pork ribs were juicy, savory, and the lean meat was tender. Especially when eaten with the cumin seasoning used for lamb skewers, it paired surprisingly well. However, those who dislike fatty foods might find it less to their taste.

The Gaoliang Liquor Lemon Highball was definitely a thumbs-up. I kept drinking it like a thirsty rabbit drinking from a lake. Not only did it cut through the greasiness of the dishes, but it was also fragrant and clean when sipped on its own. The slight alcohol warmth rose up, and the aromatic scent tickled my nose, making me not even think of other drinks.

One-line review: Curved Chinese characters, red lanterns, two dishes, and Gaoliang liquor made me feel like I was traveling in China for a moment. Ni hao ma..?

Address: 2nd floor, 9 Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Lost Temple

Lost Temple evokes a dreamy atmosphere as if you’ve arrived at a mysterious Southeast Asian temple. I’ve tried all their dishes including Tiger Fried Rice, Tom Yum Pho, Hot Yai Chicken, and Stir-fried Pork Belly with Water Spinach, and I’ve never been disappointed. It’s a great place to have a beer with colleagues after work and work up a sweat together. On this day, I ordered two dishes: Pad Thai (Thai-style stir-fried rice noodles) and Tom Yum Chili Shrimp.

Pad Thai, stir-fried with smoky-flavored shrimp and pork, is the signature dish here. Various vegetables and chewy noodles create a delightful harmony. It’s sweet with a slight spiciness, and once captivated by its exotic aroma, you can’t escape its charm. Eating Pad Thai in the mysterious atmosphere unique to Lost Temple makes you wonder, “Where am I?” Reality is Chungmuro, though...

Tom Yum Chili Shrimp is a perfect dish for drinking. Crispy fried shrimp are hidden in a spicy and sour sauce based on tom yum. It’s exactly the chili shrimp we imagine, but with a tom yum base, it has a tangier feel. The portion is smaller than expected, which is always a bit disappointing.

One-line review: Eating Pad Thai under purple lighting makes reality fade away. Is this really Thailand?

Address: 1st floor, 15 Toegye-ro 39-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

ChopChop

Thanks to the popularity of Hipjiro, ChopChop even opened a second branch in Jamsil. Although it’s Vietnamese cuisine, the flavors are familiar enough for people of all ages to enjoy easily. The atmosphere is cozy and warm, but the space is small, so if there’s a wait, you have to rub your hands together and wait around the corner. Fortunately, the turnover is quite fast due to the nature of the dishes.

The signature dish, ChopChop noodles, looks irresistible. It’s spicy and savory, with an addictive flavor. Curry? Mala? It’s a scent you’ve probably smelled somewhere before, a favorite aroma that tickles your nose. The thick broth, eaten with shrimp and vegetables, makes me keep eating even though I know it will add to my love handles. The plump and soft noodles blend perfectly with the thick broth, making each bite delightful.

The beef pepper fried rice I ordered alongside was a combination that could never be bad. Large chunks of beef, green onions, and big peppercorns create a pleasant harmony. Especially when eaten with the ChopChop noodle broth, you can enjoy the exotic flavors even more deeply, so I recommend aiming for this as a lunch menu!

One-line review: The addictive taste makes me want to keep having ChopChop!

Address: 46 Supyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

How about setting the mood tonight with some exotic cuisine?

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