🐟[Nonhyeon/Hakdong Station] Samho Jjanggungi – Authentic Jeolla Province Cuisine in the Heart of Gangnam

 Located near Hakdong Station in Gangnam, Samho Jjanggungi is a long-standing restaurant specializing in traditional dishes from Korea’s Jeolla Province. With over 40 years of history, the restaurant has even been featured on the popular food show “Eat with Sung Si-kyung”, making it a well-known spot among locals and foodies alike.

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🍲 A Table Full of Jeolla-style Side Dishes

As soon as you’re seated, the table fills with a wide variety of banchan (Korean side dishes) such as stir-fried anchovy, kimchi, and seasoned fish. The bold flavors and generous portions reflect the signature style of southern Korean cuisine, perfectly complementing soju or makgeolli.

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🐟 Signature Dish – Heuksan Island Fermented Skate (Hongeo Samhap)

The restaurant’s most famous dish is the Heuksan Island Hongeo Samhap, a traditional Jeolla delicacy combining fermented skate, steamed pork, and aged kimchi. While hongeo can be notorious for its pungent aroma, Samho Jjanggungi serves it at a milder level, making it approachable even for beginners.

At around 180,000 KRW per plate, it’s a pricey indulgence, but it offers one of the most authentic hongeo experiences you’ll find in Seoul.

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🐟 Minmul (Croaker) Dishes

Samho Jjanggungi is also renowned for its croaker dishes. The pan-fried croaker (min-eo jeon) is crispy on the outside and tender inside – often considered the best dish of the house. The croaker soup (min-eo jiri) is clear and refreshing, though those expecting a thick, hearty broth might find it lighter than expected.

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🐟 Other Jeolla Delicacies – Byeongeo Jjim & Jjanggungi Soup

The steamed pomfret (byeongeo jjim) is subtly seasoned and pairs beautifully with rice. Meanwhile, the Jjanggungi soup resembles Korean loach soup (chu-eo tang) with its rich, spicy broth, making it a popular hangover cure among Seoul locals.

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🏮 Tradition Meets Gangnam

The restaurant walls are covered with celebrity autographs, reflecting its decades of fame. In the middle of Gangnam, it’s rare to find a place that offers such authentic old-school Jeolla cuisine. While the prices may be on the higher side, the flavors and cultural experience make it worthwhile.

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📌 Overall

✔️ Great place for first-timers to try fermented skate (hongeo samhap)
✔️ The croaker pancake is a must-try
✔️ Jjanggungi soup is excellent as a hangover dish
✔️ A true taste of Jeolla Province in the heart of Seoul

Samho Jjanggungi is more than just a restaurant – it’s a cultural experience, bringing the unique flavors of southern Korea to Gangnam. Perfect for adventurous foodies and foreigners looking to explore Korea’s regional cuisines.