In Korea, alley culture is a phenomenon with concentration on city and industrialization. Because we Koreans had farming life, we made roads and streets around the house, which is a totally opposite way in industrialized city.
Anyway Namdaemun sijang (South Gate Market) is very big and has long history. It was made in 18th century and it lost its vitality for a while because of modernization. However, these days, thanks to foreigners and curiosity for Korean traditional market, it became alive.
Kalguksu Alley is 50m long and about 20 restaurants are in this alley. Even though this area is backstreet, thanks to cheap and delicious food, it became famous.
Take line number four and exit 5 at Hoehyeon / Namdaemun Market Station. Turn right and go straight down for 20m. You can see the alley on your left.
There were lots of people and they all waited in line. Some touted for business on the street. Only 9 or 10 tables were set in each restaurant.
You can order single item or set menu like bibimbap (boiled rice with assorted mixtures), boribab (boiled barley), or chalbab (cooked glutinous rice). If you order bibimbap, you can get Kalguksu(noodle) and bibimnaengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles mixed with red pepper sauce). If you order cooked glutinous rice, you can get vegetable side dishes, Kalguksu, bean paste soup, and bibimnaengmyeon.
Set menu is really good because you can try three different food at the same time.
Almost every store in this area sell this set menu. Eat cooked glutinous rice with sliced seaweed and simply mix vegetables and rice with red pepper paste when you eat bibimbap.
When I was eating cooked glutinous rice and bibimbap, they served noodles and naengmyeon. This food alley was very busy with so many people and so many dishes.
The original purpose of this food alley was not for common people or tourists. It was for merchants or people who came to this market. But it gains its popularity more and more thanks to its delicious and cheap food.
I think more lighting, neat and tidy kitchen, and comfortable chair will make this place better.
Location :Take line number four and exit 5 at Hoehyeon / Namdaemun Market Station. Turn right and go straight down for 20m. You can see the alley on your left.
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