In Seoul’s Yeonhui-dong, there are many restaurants famous for Chinese cuisine. Particularly, the restaurant known as “Mokran,” operated by Chef Lee Yeon-bok, is so popular that making a reservation can be challenging. In addition, you can find various Chinese restaurants in the Yeonhui-dong and Yeonnamdong areas, known to be the actual residential areas of overseas Chinese, mainly the 2nd and 3rd generations. This migration happened after the government’s discriminatory policies towards overseas Chinese following liberation, and in 1969, the overseas Chinese high school located in Myeongdong moved to Yeonhui-dong, making it easier for overseas Chinese to commute.
“Seoul Yeonhui-dong Chinese Restaurant ‘Ihpum'”
Thanks to this, Yeonhui-dong offers a variety of Chinese restaurants, and ‘Ihpum’ is one such restaurant you can find in Yeonhui-dong. It has a somewhat vintage feel from the outside, but once inside, the interior is quite clean, and the seating is quite ample.
Its location is also easy to find near the “Saraga Shopping Center,” responsible for the shopping needs of Yeonhui-dong residents. It’s situated about 10-20 steps away from the main entrance.
“A Great Place for a Simple Solo Meal in a Chinese Restaurant”
Yeonhui-dong is known for having many upscale Chinese restaurants. Therefore, it can be somewhat daunting to visit for a simple meal. However, ‘Ihpum’ is different. It doesn’t exude that kind of atmosphere; instead, it feels like a neighborhood Chinese restaurant that you could easily come across.
The menu offers typical items commonly found in Chinese restaurants. Prices for Jajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles) start at 7,500 won. While it used to be available for 5,000 won in the past, recent rapid inflation has influenced the prices.
These days, with the consideration that one must spend around 10,000 won for a meal eaten out, ‘Ihpum’ seems to fit within a reasonable price range.
“Spicy Jajang with Extra Meat”
This time, I ordered Spicy Jajang. There might not be a huge difference between Jajangmyeon and Spicy Jajang, but oddly enough, on this day, the desire for Spicy Jajang struck me. It was a day when I was quite hungry, so I ordered it with extra meat.
Certainly, being a Chinese restaurant with a long history in business, it seemed to retain the taste of the Jajangmyeon I used to eat. Though it might seem like a common Chinese restaurant that you would easily find in the neighborhood, being located in Yeonhui-dong, it gives the impression of being a restaurant with even more skill.
Situated near the Saraga Shopping Center, it’s convenient to visit, especially for solo dining. Overall, a restaurant that’s good for solo dining.
“Seoul Yeonhui-dong Chinese Restaurant ‘Ihpum'”
- Address: 20 Yeonhui-ro 11-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
- Phone: 02-322-6172
- Operating Hours: (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun) 11:00 – 21:00 (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri break time) 15:00 – 17:00
- Closed on Tuesdays