Best Kimchi jjigae in Seoul: where to eat it and how
김치찌개
Sour, spicy kimchi stew with pork and tofu — the everyday Korean meal.
- Price
- About ₩10,000–13,000 per person
- When
- All year
- Spice
- Spicy
What is Kimchi jjigae?
Kimchi jjigae is aged kimchi simmered with pork, tofu and spring onion until it becomes a deep red, sour-spicy stew. It is what Koreans eat on an ordinary weekday, and what office workers queue for at lunch. Served with rice and a few side dishes, it is one of the cheapest full meals in Seoul.
What does Kimchi jjigae taste like?
Sour from the well-fermented kimchi, spicy, and rich from the pork fat. The older the kimchi, the deeper the flavour.
How do you eat Kimchi jjigae?
Spoon the stew over your rice or eat it alongside. Some places bring a pot to boil at your table — wait for it to bubble before you eat. Egg rolls (gyeran-mari) and stir-fried pork are popular extras.
Where can I eat Kimchi jjigae in Seoul?
Small stew restaurants (찌개집) in office districts like Gwanghwamun, Euljiro and Gongdeok, and almost every Korean home-cooking restaurant.
Good to know
- Pots are often served for a minimum of two; ask if they do one-person portions (1인분).
- Rice may be included or extra — look for 공기밥.
- Add a side of ramyeon noodles (라면사리) to the stew if you are hungry.
Chains you'll find everywhere
The everyday version: same menu at every branch, and there is probably one near your hotel.
백채김치찌개
Baekchae Kimchi Jjigae
A kimchi-stew chain built around one dish, with one-person portions.
What to order
- Kimchi stew김치찌개Pork kimchi stew with rice.
- Rolled omelette계란말이The classic side.
How to spot it
Casual stew restaurants in office districts and near stations.
김치도가
Kimchidoga
Kimchi stew and kimchi dishes made with long-aged kimchi.
What to order
- Kimchi stew김치찌개Made with aged kimchi; deep and sour.
How to spot it
Modern Korean canteens, often in office areas.
Local favourites
3 places
Kimchi jjigae · Jongno & Gwangjang
Eunjujeong
Kimchi stew you wrap in greens, in an Euljiro back alley.
Kimchi jjigae · Jongno & Gwangjang
Gwanghwamunjip
A tiny kimchi-stew house behind Gwanghwamun.
Kimchi jjigae
Guldari Sikdang
Gongdeok's legendary kimchi stew with thick slabs of pork.
