Jahamun-ro 118 Deulppul Review: Is This Jongno Korean Gem Worth It?

Delicious Korean Food Spot in Cheongun-dong, Jongno, Seoul

Review of Jahamun-ro 118 Deulppul's Stone Pot Rice and Yukjeon

After checking into the hotel, the place we headed to for dinner was

Jahamun-ro 118 Deulppul (자하문로118 들풀), a Korean restaurant located in Cheongun-dong (청운동), Jongno (종로), Seoul (서울)!

I saw the restaurant's name and thought, "Could it be?"

And indeed, it was a restaurant using its street address as its actual name!

Jahamun-ro 118 Deulppul (자하문로118 들풀) Basic Information

Address - 1st Floor, 118 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours - 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Phone Number - 02-720-4233

It felt like it had been over 20 years since I last visited Cheongun-dong,

and walking through its tranquil scenery was truly delightful.

With Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁), Seochon (서촌), and Cheong Wa Dae (청와대 - The Blue House) nearby, there are so many places to explore,

making it a perfect spot to include in your Seoul itinerary!

Parking in Seoul isn't always easy, but this precious restaurant even has its own

parking lot! Haha!

It's no secret that when I left after finishing my meal, the parking lot was

absolutely full of cars!

The tree lit up by the lights was so beautiful, I couldn't just pass by

without snapping a photo!

Up the stairs I tiptoed.

Perhaps because the restaurant's name is Deulppul ("wild grass"),

there were bundles of reeds next to the stairs, which was a fun little detail! Haha.

Operating since 1998,

it's a restaurant that has truly stood the test of time.

Jahamun-ro 118 Deulppul (자하문로118 들풀) Interior Atmosphere

Stepping inside, it was much more spacious and

pleasant than I had imagined!

There seemed to be about 3-4 private rooms, and the main hall was also very wide.

I particularly noticed many customers who had brought their parents,

and it struck me that it would be a great place for family meals or even for visiting

with international friends.

The male owner greeted us warmly and

led us to a private room, telling us to enjoy our meal comfortably.

At the entrance, there were several phone chargers available, and

disposable aprons were also hanging there.

Jahamun-ro 118 Deulppul (자하문로118 들풀) Menu

They offered a wide array of Korean dishes, from Yukjeon, Bibimbap, Deopbap, and Stone Pot Rice to Bulgogi, Galbi-jjim (braised short ribs),

Beef Stew, and even Yukhoe (beef tartare).

There were quite a few menu items posted on the wall, but

when I checked the table order system, there were even more options!

Review of Yukjeon, Eggplant Stone Pot Rice, and Fragrant Wild Pine Mushroom Stone Pot Rice

The dishes we ordered were Yukjeon, Eggplant Stone Pot Rice, and

Fragrant Wild Pine Mushroom Stone Pot Rice!

As the dishes started to arrive one by one, a grand feast was set, making it

quite a challenge to capture everything in a single camera shot.

The *banchan* (side dishes) were also quite varied.

From a salad with crunchy brown rice and savory sesame dressing, to stir-fried *kka-ri-gochu* (shishito peppers), potato salad, *kkakdugi* (diced radish kimchi),

mushroom stir-fry, *dotorimuk* (acorn jelly), and stir-fried fish cakes!

And alongside them, butter, *gim* (seaweed), and *toha-jeot* (salted freshwater shrimp) were served.

It was so incredibly delicious that I even asked separately about it,

and they told me it was Ganggyeong (강경) *toha-jeot* made with freshwater shrimp.

It was seriously~~~~~ good! Haha.

The Yukjeon (육전) came with shredded green onions and fresh kimchi (Geotjeori) as well,

and it was delicious when wrapped and eaten while still warm.

But I thought those were all the basic side dishes, and then, oh my goodness!

Pancakes (Buchimgae), spicy stir-fried pork (Jeyukbokkeum), and even stew (Jjigae) additionally

came out?

If I had known that pancakes were served as basic side dishes,

I might not have ordered the Yukjeon, lol.

But the basic pancake was so incredibly crispy and delicious that

I actually left the Yukjeon,

and ate all the pancakes – that's definitely not a secret!

Steaming hot eggplant hot pot rice (Gajisotbap)!

It had plenty of mushrooms and ginkgo nuts,

and the eggplant was incredibly soft.

This was the fragrant wild pine mushroom hot pot rice (Hyangchwi Jayeonsongi Sotbap)!

As soon as I opened the lid, the pine mushroom aroma wafted up so deliciously~

For the hot pot rice (Sotbap), you scoop the rice into a large bowl and pour water in,

to make scorched rice (Nurungji).

My sibling and I shared it nicely, half and half!

It was savory even when mixed with butter,

and delicious again when wrapped in seaweed (Kim) and eaten.

Added the seasoning sauce (Yangnyeomjang) and mixed it all up heartily, nom nom!!

I also enjoyed it with Yukjeon and other side dishes in between bites.

My sibling brought me a glass of plum juice (Maesil Juice) from outside,

and it tasted just like the plum extract (Maesil Aekgiseu) my mom used to make when I was little.

This plum juice was made with plums directly grown at Gapyeong Nongwon (가평농원) and organic sugar,

and my sibling loved the taste so much that after one glass, they asked for more.

Looking at the surrounding tables, there were many guests who had come with their parents,

and it made me think how wonderful it would have been if I had come with my own mom and dad.

It's a place that naturally made me think of my parents while dining!

Feeling full and wanting to aid digestion, we walked towards Tongin Market (통인시장),

and on the way, we met an unexpectedly popular cat!

What a smart and beautiful Konyangi (코냥이)!

According to my sibling, this is the famous cat that BTS's Namjoon (남준이) posted on his story during the Chuseok (추석) holidays, lol.

It must be used to human interaction because it calmly posed even when I was taking pictures, and it was so pretty that even passersby stopped to admire it.

Here's a quick video for you to watch~~

And on this day, I stayed at Orakai Insadong Suites (오라카이 인사동 스위츠).

After checking in, I rested for a bit, then went out for dinner,

and after finishing the meal, I walked all the way to the Tongin Market area.

If you're planning to stay in Seoul (서울) and explore the surroundings,

it would be good to consider the accommodation's location and travel routes together.

I'll be writing a separate review soon for Orakai Insadong Suites, where I stayed this time!

Click here to see Orakai Insadong Suites room and booking information

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