[The Euljiro Eulogies: Wonjo Nokdu]

An anonymous ground source: “You’d be foolish to think only Sewoon District 3 (Euljiro 3ga Station, Exit 6) would be affected by redevelopment. This will eventually spread over to Nogari Golmok (Dried Fish Alley) on the opposite side of the street up to Cheonggyecheon Stream, where foot traffic is highest and tourist attraction is highly valued. They thought of everything in advance, obviously, since millions were invested. If you don’t believe me, look at what happened when they disregarded all the small shop owners and vendors to build Cheonggyecheon.”

Wonjo Nokdu was one of the few humble places in Seoul serving a wide variety of jeon — savory, mouthwatering pancakes ranging from pajeon (scallion, 파전) to nokdu jeon (mung bean, 녹두전). They were perfected by the aging halmoni who devoted 40 years to the craft — and who just happened to hail from Jeonju (the mecca of Korean cuisine). We sampled three of their signature offerings – haemul pajeon (seafood, 해물파전), nokdu jeon, ddongeurang ddaeng (round pork patties, 동그랑땡) – and they were all delicious; lightly seasoned and came out hot right off the griddle. I personally gravitated toward the nokdu jeon (aka bindaetteok, 빈대떡), which was generously packed with thin pork strips and kimchi. As with any traditional anju, the food was washed down with Jangsu makgeolli (fermented rice wine, 막걸리), but beer and soju were available upon request

This is a book about regular Korean food, not special food. And it’s not about the best this or the best that, it’s about food Koreans eat every day. I don’t want the fancy, new, young, funky—I want the ordinary. In all parts of Korea, not just Seoul. In the canteens at bus stations, street stalls after dark, grilled meat shacks, and soju tents. Maybe you’re right it’s disappearing and no one cares, but that’s Korea to me, and that’s where this country’s heart is. ~ @noodlepie Eating Korea p. 11

Food: ★★★★½ out of 5 stars

Service: ★★★★ out of 5 stars

Ambiance: ★★★½ out of 5 stars

Value: ★★★★ out of 5 stars

Wonjo Nokdu 원조녹두

Ipjeong-dong 272-8 (서울 중구 입정동 272-8)

Phone: 02-2277-0241

Hours: Open every day 4:00 am ~ 11:00 pm

Click here for an interactive map: http://naver.me/F5fYvbQm