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Jeonju, South Korea’s bibimbap is famous for its flavor and tradition.
With a wide variety of ingredients and recipes, there are many restaurants that serve this beloved dish, but here are five that stand out. Each restaurant has a different charm, but all of them are famous for their flavor, not only among locals but also among outsiders.
Seongmidang (성미당)
Address: 19-9, Jeollegamyeong 5-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
Phone: 063-287-8800
“Seongmidang” is the place to go when discussing Jeonju bibimbap.
It is the oldest bibimbap restaurant in Jeonju, the home of bibimbap.
“Seongmidang” has been around since 1965 and has been visited by presidents and is also popular among tourists.
Since the first president, the restaurant has maintained its commitment to quality ingredients such as hand-soaked glutinous rice gochujang and sesame oil squeezed from a mill.
The representative menu, Yukhoe Bibimbap, is a traditional Jeonju dish made with steamed rice, gochujang, sesame oil, and bean sprouts in a hot bowl, and the flavors soak into the rice grains.
The spiciness is mellowed by the initial bibimbap process, and the deep flavors are then topped with yukhoe, bean sprouts, and hwangpomuk to express the five colors.
It is recommended to eat bibimbap with chopsticks to stir the rice and each ingredient to avoid crushing the grains.
At Seongmidang Bibimbap, the gochujang is pre-mixed into the rice, so the gochujang is evenly distributed and the rice doesn’t clump or leave white rice behind.
In many bibimbap restaurants, the gochujang is served separately, but even the stirring is done by experts, so the rice and gochujang go well together.
Even if the gochujang is not served separately, many people say that the rice and ingredients mix well and taste good.
“Seongmidang” is also known for its variety of side dishes, especially its hwangpomuk and bulgogi, which are known for their deliciousness, and many reviewers say that the many side dishes served make for a hearty meal and that the ingredients are fresh.
Many visitors praise the neat presentation of the food at Sungmidang. They say that the food is presented neatly and makes guests feel pampered. It’s also a great place to bring your parents or other adults.
However, the food may be a bit too spicy for those who don’t like spicy food. Some reviewers say that the gochujang is very spicy and can be overwhelming.
Gogung (고궁)
Address: 33, Songcheonjungang-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
Contact : 0507-1355-3211
Gogung is a 50-year-old restaurant that serves traditional Jeonju bibimbap. The bibimbap here has a rustic feel to it, but boasts a deep flavor.
Despite its rustic appearance, Gogung’s bibimbap boasts a deep, hearty flavor.
The gochujang is not overpowering, so it’s perfect for those who like a strong flavor.
The rice and gochujang blend well together to create a mellow flavor.
As the restaurant has been around for 55 years, you can feel the traditional feel in the atmosphere and food. The atmosphere is charming, like a cozy country house.
Those expecting special ingredients or a fancy feel may be a bit disappointed. May not be for those who don’t prefer traditional ingredients and flavors.
Ha Sook Young Gamatot Bibimbap (하숙영 가마솥 비빔밥)
Address: 19-3, Jeollegamyeong 5-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
Contact: 0507-1481-8322
Haasuk Gamasok is famous for its bibimbap, which is served with stone-cooked rice.
This is a place where you can enjoy a hearty meal with a variety of side dishes.
The restaurant was also featured in Korean cartoonist Heo Young-man’s Baekban Kigyeok, making it more recognizable to the public.
Hasu Kyung Gamatot Bibimbap serves stone-cooked rice with a variety of side dishes. The amount of side dishes is large, making for a satisfying meal.
The stone-cooked rice is moist and you can taste the flavor of freshly cooked rice, which makes it different from other places.
It’s fun to scrape off the nurungji after you’re done eating. The nurungji has a savory flavor that makes the finish more satisfying.
The process of transferring the rice and adding water can be cumbersome. This process may feel uncomfortable for those who are not used to it.
Korean House (한국집)
Address: 119, Eojin-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
Phone: 063-284-2224
Hankookjip is conveniently located near the express bus terminal. It serves traditional no-griddle bibimbap and sticks to the basics.
The bibimbap at Korean House is made with basic ingredients without any fancy flavors, making it easy to eat. They do a great job of capturing the flavor of classic Jeonju bibimbap.
Located near the highway bus terminal, it’s easily accessible for tourists visiting Jeonju, making it convenient to visit on the go.
Those expecting special ingredients or unique flavors may be a bit disappointed. It consists of basic ingredients, so it may be hard to notice anything special about the flavor.
Baeksong Hall (백송회관)
Address : 177, Girin-daero, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
Contact : 063-282-5001
Baeksonghwagwan is a place where you get free yuksashimi when you order bibimbap, offering quality food at an affordable price.
Many people say that the yuksashimi is better than the bibimbap.
The quality of the yuksashimi served is high, and it is well received by visitors.
The bibimbap at Baeksong Hall feels like a country house meal that your parents used to make. The nostalgic flavors make for a relaxing meal.
The bibimbap itself is said to be a bit bland compared to other places.
It is recommended to eat it with yuksashimi, but bibimbap alone may not make a big impression.
After analyzing five bibimbap restaurants in Jeonju, it became clear that each restaurant has its own unique appeal and strengths and weaknesses.
To enjoy the variety of bibimbap in Jeonju, it is recommended to understand the characteristics of each restaurant before visiting.
If you’re looking for traditional flavors, try Seongmidang or Gogung, if you’re looking for a variety of side dishes and a hearty meal, try Haasukyoung Kamakkot Bibimbap, if you’re looking for accessibility and basic flavors, try Korean House, and if you’re looking for a unique experience with yuksashimi, try Baeksong Hall.
Find your favorite bibimbap and make your trip to Jeonju even more delicious and enjoyable!
