One of the most iconic Korean food combinations or pairings is Jeon (Korean for pancakes) and Makgeolli! If you ever find yourself in the Gangnam or Apgujeong Rodeo area, we highly recommend heading over to Mukjeon (묵전), for some delicious traditional Korean pancakes and Korean rice wine!
Restaurant in Apgujeong Rodeo
The lines at Mukjeon can be a bit ridiculous, especially during peak meal timings and weekends, so we recommend heading slightly earlier to grab a spot. A queue system is in place, but you do need a Korean number for that. If not, just speak to the staff and request for help.
There are quite a few shops nearby to do some window shopping, so it won’t be a boring wait.
The restaurant itself has several seating areas, and it did seem quite confusing at first. There’s a basement area, and an upstairs area, all connected by narrow stairs, but the overall vibe of the restaurant is warm and inviting – perfect for drinks!
Menu at Mukjeon
Don’t fret as an English menu is available here but it does feature fewer items. However, most of the food items on it are the signature items. You can also request for the Korean menu and do some translation if you want!
You’ll find a variety of Korean pancakes on the menu, alongside items like sashimi, kimchi mackerel stew, and noodles.
If there’s one thing you need to get at Mukjeon, it’s the Local Market Pancake Platter (Small 18,000won, Large 29,000won). This platter features an array of jeon, such as kimchi jeon, tofu jeon, zucchini jeon, mushroom jeon, and more. The ingredients are lightly coated in a thin layer of egg wash and is pan-fried to golden perfection.
It’s a very simple dish, but you can expect the amount of work that goes behind it. The flavour was simple yet comforting.
Pair this with the Mukjeon House Makgeolli (8,000won), which is a special house blend of makgeolli that was smooth and easy to drink. It was also served in a traditional golden kettle, super cute!
Make sure to try the Bossam (35,000won), which is served on a wooden chopping board. The meat is boiled in a broth made with Hanbang ingredients, which gives it a nice, light aromatic fragrance. No kidding, each slice melts in your mouth, with a perfect ratio of meat to fat.
Pair it with the kimchi served and you’ll have yourself an explosion of flavours.
The next item is not on the English menu but is available on the Korean menu. The Perilla Seed Oil Makguksu (8,000won) or 들기름 막국수 in Korean is a must-try. (Show this to them to help make your ordering experience a lil’ easier!)
While the usual spicy gochujang-based Makguksu is available on the English menu, this variation truly highlights one of the key ingredients in Korean cuisine, which is the perilla seed oil! The noodles are tossed in the oil, along with seaweed and vegetables and they present a lovely, harmonious blend of flavours! It’s not too light, not too heavy, with the nuttiness of the oil being highlighted with every bite.
Drinking Spot in Seoul
While Mukjeon is perfect for casual dinners, we really think it’s the perfect drinking spot, especially for those wanting to experience makgeolli. Order some jeon on the side while sipping on smooth rice wine – a faultless way to spend a night in Seoul.
Mukjeon (묵전)
22 Eonju-ro 168-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
서울 강남구 언주로168길 22
Mon-Sat, 11:30am-12am, Sun, 11:30am-10pm
Nearest Subway: Apgujung Rodeo Station (Suin-Bundang Line), Exit 5
*This was an independent review by MiddleClass
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