Duriban — Restaurant in Seoul

my partner and i were looking for something hearty, warm and comforting amidst all the touristy food offerings and the usual korean barbecue spots in hongdae. we stumbled upon this nondescript restaurant and decided to dine here because the menu sounded promising. and it turned out to be our favourite meal of our trip - so much so that we returned for dinner the very next day. firstly, the couple who owns the restaurant is super sweet and hospitable. uncle was very cute and communicated with us as best as he could, in bits of english, enthused gestures and a little korean. he even taught us how to best eat the bibimbap, and lovingly mixed the ingredients and sauce for us to enjoy. meanwhile, auntie cooked the yummiest meals that were served quickly and piping hot. my partner and i felt so at home at Duriban - almost as if it had become our second home. the restaurant is ultra cosy, and the walls are plastered with the owners’ collection of indie music posters, post-its from friends and customers, and even a newspaper article detailing their story. the place had so much character and warmth! last but not least, the food was absolutely amazing. we tried the chicken kalguksu, the dumplings, the kimchi pancake, the bibimbap and the bossam, and the dongdongju (korean liquor that was very fragrant). everything was so yummy, especially the bossam!!! the thick slices of perfectly cooked, flavourful pork paired amazingly with the lettuce, sauces and garlic provided. meanwhile, the chicken kalguksu felt like a warm hug on a cold wintry night, and the broth reminded me of my mum’s chicken macaroni soup. the dumplings and kimchi pancake were also really tasty and came in generous portions. and to our surprise, all the dishes were so affordable. absolutely worth every cent!!! please try the food here, i promise you won’t regret it. i’m already dreaming of going back the next time i’m...

Shocked that we found such amazing value and quality in Hongdae. Honestly, it was the best meal of an 8 day trip. In fact it was so good we went back again the very next day for dinner!

The place is run by the most wonderful older couple. Their English was basic but their hospitality transceded any language barrier. The uncle was brilliantly animated with his recommendations, always smiling and enthusiastic - a joy to be around. His wife, the chef, a bit more reserved, staying in the kitchen but occasionally popping her head out to have a check and flash a smile. She was the great cook behind the yummy food we had. She was rapid as well with whipping up the food.

The ambience is a homely and comfortable one, a much needed respite from the buzz and clamour of the surrounding area. The food was simply delicious and just gave a warm, fuzzy feeling inside - like a home cooked meal. We had the chicken noodle soup, the kimchi pancake, and the dumplings on the first night and then swapped out the pancake for the bibimbap and boiled pork on the second. All the dishes were perfect. Especially in love with the boiled pork and the dumplings. Their dongdongju rice wine was super tasty as well.

What my girlfriend and I were so surprised about, was how both nights the restaurant was far from full. It's staggering that this gem of a place is not getting it's due recognition. Do pop by if in town because places like these deserve support so they can stay open!

Finally just want to end by saying there was a Korea Times article on the wall featuring the couple which told a remarkable story of how years ago, they stood up to gentrification and intimidation to close their stall. And with the help of the community and local artists, their peaceful protest managed to win them a settlement! I found that really inspiring.

Can't recommend these...

Simple. Good. Worth the money.

So you’re experiencing Seoul: business buildings around you, shopping stores with fashion at their roots, streets busy with lights and people. Maybe you have already been to food markets filled with mix of after-work-hours locals and keen tourists. And now you ended up in Hongdae; small streets packed with youth and usual street food.

And there it is: a most expected food in a most unexpected location.

Most expected food: Kimchi. Kimchi soup and kimchi pancake. That simple.

Most unexpected place: family business run by uncle and auntie surrounded by streets filled with people with average age of 20.

You will feel like visiting your grandma. Your stomach will feel the same.

Thank you for a great memory.

We ate: Kimchi soup, Kimchi pancake.

P.S. A secret ingredient that always makes food taste better: owners/service that cares: Uncle told us that we were ordering too much. So we ordered less. He earned less that day. He earned more overall as we recommended it to our friends who had no idea about that place and also loved...