Hanilkwan

For Seoulites, Hanilkwon is a special place. Graduations, first days of school, acceptances to college are all celebrated with family at  Hanilkwon with the sizzling of bulgogi. When did Hanilkwon become a favorite for family dinners? The restaurant first opened its doors in Jongno in 1939, boasting a history of over seventy years. At the middle of the table sits the grill with a round top, where the bulgogi is cooked. As it ripens to a mouth-watering brown, the meat releases its delicious juices, which is collected at the bottom of the slanted grill. When the bulgogi is cooked enough, dip it slightly into the meat broth and eat it with the given side dishes such as spicy fermented oysters in chili powder or radish kimchi. Although the restaurant left its vintage Jongno home for a shinier exterior at Apgujeong, the taste has yet to change. A more modern option to the traditional Korean and Pyeongyang course menus is the “Seoul Naengmyeon”, which is still just as good.