In the Gwanghwamun area, you can find a variety of restaurants, from cost-effective ones located in the underground dining districts of buildings to quaint shops tucked away in alleys.
The Gwanghwamun area is a representative office-dense district of Seoul, which means you can find restaurants throughout the area to cater to the demand of office workers.
Even in the alleyways extending behind Gyeonghuigung’s Morning 4-danji, you can find restaurants that are housed in small individual buildings.
“Seoul Gwanghwamun: Gyeonghuigung Donkatsu – Gyeongdon”
The restaurant I visited this time, Gyeongdon, can also be found nearby. The building housing Gyeongdon is situated between the Seonggok Art Museum and the Morning 3rd and 4th-dan Apartments of Gyeonghuigung. Gyeongdon is located underground in the building. On the 1st floor of the same building, you’ll find Hillside Table, on the 2nd floor, a Vietnamese Pho restaurant, and on the 3rd floor, an Indian cuisine specialty restaurant.
Typically, restaurants located underground tend to have interiors that may feel somewhat distant from an upscale or clean atmosphere, but this is not the case for Gyeongdon. It doesn’t give off much of an impression of being in an underground space and has a clean feel.
“You Can Order at the Kiosk at Gyeongdon”
The name Gyeongdon is a shortened form of “Gyeonghuigung Donkatsu.” As a result, the flagship menu you can find here is “donkatsu.” The price range is around KRW 10,000 or more, and you can place your order at the kiosk.
Once you’ve completed your order at the kiosk, a order number will be displayed. Keep an eye out for your order number, and when your food is ready, simply pick it up. This process gives a feeling similar to dining in a food court.
“Gyeongdon’s Menu”
Gyeongdon offers various donkatsu menus, including the Gyeongdon Set, as follows:
- Gyeongdon Set: KRW 12,900
- Curry Shrimp Donkatsu: KRW 11,800
- Cheese Donkatsu: KRW 11,000
- Cheese Shrimp Donkatsu: KRW 11,000
- Deungshin Saeng Donkatsu: KRW 9,000
- Eolkeun Gatsunabe: KRW 9,900
- Shrimp Tempura Udon: KRW 9,000
- Spicy Udon: KRW 8,000
- Ddukbaegi Jjigae Donkatsu: KRW 10,500
“Gyeongdon Set: KRW 12,900”
On this day, I ordered the Gyeongdon Set for a hearty meal. The Gyeongdon Set comes with side dishes such as kimchi, pickled radish, and salad. Various sauces for dipping the donkatsu are also provided.
Rice and miso soup are also included, and of course, the main menu, the donkatsu, cannot be left out. With the addition of cold soba, it’s a menu that provides a satisfying meal.
Despite being located underground, Gyeongdon boasts a much cleaner and quaint atmosphere than expected. It’s a place where you can have a cost-effective and satisfying meal. Additionally, it’s also a suitable restaurant for dining alone.
“Seoul Gwanghwamun Restaurant: Gyeongdon”
- Address: 1st Floor, 7 Gyeonghuigung 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Phone: 02-739-1020