Seoul-aeseo Dul-jjero Jal-haneun Jib (The Second Best in Seoul)

This modestly-named shop quite honestly makes the best danpatjuk (sweet red bean porridge) in Seoul, but the name was chosen to err on the side of caution. All it takes is a mouthful of their danpatjuk and another mouthful of chewy rice cakes to sooth the soul and satisfy your sweet tooth. Who said sweets can't solve all problems? Even better, it's loaded with healthy ingredients. With ginko nuts, chestnuts, cinnamon, and tiny rice cakes, it's practically a meal. The secret to the smoothness of their porridge is the addition of red bean paste as an ingredient. Contrast the sweetness of the porridge with a bitter herbal tea—we recommend the sipjjeon daebotang and the nokgak daebotang, both slowly brewed on a low fire. It's commonly believed that bitter foods are good for the body, so a sip of this tea will reenergize you if you're feeling full and sluggish after the porridge. Alternate sips of tea with bites of the sugared ginger slice that it comes with for lovely constrasting flavors that mingle on your tongue. Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the vintage interior—the shop opened in 1976 and traces of its history can still be found inside. In fact, it was recently designated as a “Future Heritage Site” by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as part of a project to preserve modern cultural heritage for future generations.