[The Euljiro Eulogies: Ahnsung Jip]

Ahnsung Jip was not only a classic restaurant that served deliciously wholesome food for over 60 years, it was a respite for nearby metal workers and shop owners who yearned for a much-needed break from their daily grind. For lunch, they’d find comfort and peace with the restaurant’s most popular dish, yukgaejang (spicy beef soup, 육개장) or its fraternal twin, yuk-kal (spicy beef soup with noodles, 육칼). Unlike the traditional version where you get long strips of shredded meat (usually beef brisket, 양지머리) and gosari (fernbrake, fiddleheads, 고사리) and sprouts, their fiery version was more refined with tender pieces of hanwoo (한우) beef, leeks, and onions. As evident in the color, the broth is ramped up in spiciness coming from the use of goeun gochugaru (fine chili flakes), reminiscent of a jjambbong (짬뽕) broth save the seafood. When combined with rice, it was a very satisfying bowl that left customers feeling good about themselves—at least that was the case with me and my few visits. Dinner options included barbecue beef and pork, but prices were exorbitant. People went to nearby Chosunok (조선옥) for high-quality meat and stuck with what they did best here at Ahnsung Jip, yukgaejang.

It looks just like the room my siblings and I used to sleep in behind my mom’s beauty salon…. [the] spicy broth…..tastes like 1975, too….. For 6,000 won I got to taste my childhood again. I think for that price, it was a bargain.

Even though I am not Korean, I knew exactly what the writer meant. Places like this were special in Korea today, and I knew now that I would have to seek them out. They were not going to greet me upon arrival, on the street corner, opposite the hotel, next to the bus station, or at the side of the road. I’d wanted Korean food to stay static, but the main street had moved on. ~ Graham Holliday, Eating Korea p. 77

Food: ★★★★½ out of 5 stars

Service: ★★★★ out of 5 stars

Ambiance: ★★★½ out of 5 stars

Value: ★★★★ out of 5 stars

Ahnsung Jip 안성집

Euljiro 3ga 208-1 (을지로3가 208-1)

Phone: 02-2279-4522

Hours: Open 11:00 am ~ 9:00 pm, break time 3:00 ~ 5:00 pm

Click here for an interactive map: http://naver.me/xjfbUCG7