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Hello. This is JH from My Korean Guide.
In the Netflix show Black & White Chef, you saw two judges: Chef Anh Sung-jae (The perfectionist of fine dining) and Paik Jong-won (The master of mass appeal).
Mr. Paik is not just a TV star; he is the CEO of “The Born Korea,” a massive restaurant empire. He focuses on affordable, addictive, and universally delicious food. If you want to understand the standard of “Korean Yummy,” you must visit his franchises.
The best part? You don’t need a reservation. His restaurants are everywhere in Seoul. Just look for his smiling face on the signboard!
Here are the Top 5 Brands you should try.
1. Saemaeul Sikdang (Korean BBQ & Kimchi Stew)
Concept: 1970s Retro Style BBQ
- What is it? A casual BBQ spot that locals love for lunch and dinner.
- Must-Order:
- Yeoltan Bulgogi: Thinly sliced pork marinated in spicy red sauce. It cooks fast and tastes smoky.
- 7-Minute Kimchi Jjigae: A thick Kimchi stew designed to be mixed with rice.
- How to Eat: Put rice in a bowl, add the Kimchi stew and lots of dried seaweed (Gim), and mix it. It’s a flavor bomb.
- Title: Saemaeul Sikdang Menu (KOR) 👉 [Link]
2. Hong Kong Banjum 0410 (Korean-Chinese)
Concept: The Standard of Jajangmyeon
- What is it? Korea has its own style of Chinese food. This place offers high quality at a very low price.
- Must-Order:
- Jajangmyeon: Noodles in black bean sauce.
- Tangsuyuk: Deep-fried pork with sweet and sour sauce. Their batter is made of glutinous rice (Chapssal), so it is very chewy.
- Tip: It is a “Pre-paid” system. You pay at the counter before you eat.
- Title: Hong Kong Banjum 0410 Menu (KOR) 👉 [Link]
3. Paik’s Coffee (Dessert & Coffee)
Concept: “Big Size, Low Price”
- What is it? A yellow and blue coffee shop you will see on every corner. It is famous for its massive portion sizes.
- Must-Order:
- Iced Americano: It’s huge and cheap (approx. 2,000 KRW).
- Sarada Bread: An old-school Korean potato salad bread.
- Tip: Great for a quick energy boost while walking.
- Title: Paik’s Coffee Menu (KOR) 👉 [Link]
4. Bornga (Premium Beef Brisket)
Concept: The Global K-BBQ
- What is it? A slightly more upscale BBQ house than Saemaeul Sikdang. It is famous for inventing “Woo-samgyeol” (Thinly sliced beef brisket).
- Must-Order: Woo-samgyeol. The beef is marinated in a special light soy sauce that enhances the meat’s flavor without being too salty.
- Tip: They provide a long tray of fresh vegetables (Ssam) to wrap your meat in.
- Title: Bornga Menu (KOR) 👉 [Link]
5. Hansin Pocha (Korean Nightlife)
Concept: Indoor Street Stall (Pochanmacha)
- What is it? A place to drink Soju with friends. It is loud, energetic, and fun.
- Must-Order: Hansin Chicken Feet (Dakbal). It is very spicy.
- Warning: Chicken feet might be a “Challenge Menu” for foreigners. If you are scared, order the “Old-fashioned Whole Fried Chicken” (Tong-dak) instead.
- Title: Hansin Pocha Menu (KOR) 👉 [Link]
Summary & Comment
“Trust Paik.” Koreans have a saying: “If you go to Paik Jong-won’s restaurant, you won’t fail.” His restaurants may not be Michelin-starred like Mosu, but they represent the real, everyday soul food of modern Korea.
If you see a sign with a benevolent middle-aged man smiling, just walk in.
- Want to try the OTHER judge’s taste? Check out the Michelin restaurants by Chef Son Jong-won (Chef Anh’s colleague style): 👉 [Chef Son Jong-won’s 2 Michelin Restaurants: L’Amant Secret vs. Eatanic Garden] (Link to your previous post)
- Looking for Premium BBQ by a ‘White Spoon’ Chef? Chef Song Hoon’s pork BBQ is currently trending. Check the menu and prices here: 👉 [Crown Pig by Chef Song Hoon: Menu, Prices, and Location] (Link to your Crown Pig post)
