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Five Restaurants That Have Lasted Over 100 Years
- A Naju gomtang landmark with more than a century of history: Naju ‘Naju Gomtang Hayanjip’
- More than 100 years! Four generations of traditional yukhoe bibimbap: Jinju ‘Cheonhwang Sikdang’
- A four-generation favorite for sweet-and-sour pork: Namwon ‘Gyeongbangru’
- A century-old restaurant awarded by Michelin for its light pork su-yuk and noodles: Busan ‘Pyeongsanok’
- The undisputed history of Korean seolleongtang: Jongno ‘Imun Seolleongtang’
Places that have stayed put for over a century hold more than just great food — they carry lived-in stories. Generations of cooks and unchanged techniques build a quiet trust in every bite. These kitchens favor steady craft over flash, and the timeworn atmosphere turns an ordinary meal into a moment. Longevity usually comes down to dishes perfected through decades, and today we’re spotlighting five classic spots where you can taste that legacy firsthand.
A Naju gomtang landmark with more than a century of history: Naju ‘Naju Gomtang Hayanjip’
Naju ‘Naju Gomtang Hayanjip’ is one of the city’s most beloved long-running restaurants, known for a century-plus of consistent flavor. The family recipe, carried through four generations, relies on straightforward, honest ingredients and careful technique. Their clear, lean broth — without excess fat — is what people come for. Staff spend about three hours daily skimming grease and impurities to keep the soup pristine, and that dedication shows in a clean, deeply savory broth you won’t forget.
| Read more on Siksin: ‘Naju Gomtang Hayanjip’
6-1 Geumseonggwan-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do
- ✔Hours
Daily 8:00 AM–8:00 PM / Closed on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
- ✔Prices
Gomtang ₩13,000 (≈ $9.75) / Su-yuk gomtang ₩15,000 (≈ $11.25) / Boiled pork (suyuk) ₩40,000 (≈ $30.00)
More than 100 years! Four generations of traditional yukhoe bibimbap: Jinju ‘Cheonhwang Sikdang’
Opened in 1915, Jinju’s ‘Cheonhwang Sikdang’ has preserved the local style of bibimbap across four generations. Their standout is yukhoe bibimbap: seasonal tender greens, fresh Korean beef yukhoe, soy sauce brewed from traditional meju, and a house chili paste combine for a layered, satisfying bowl. The hearty blood-clot hangover soup served alongside refreshes the palate and amplifies the flavors. Don’t miss the grill-seared bulgogi with its sweet marinade and smoky char — an ideal companion to the yukhoe bibimbap.
| Read more on Siksin: ‘Cheonhwang Sikdang’
- ✔Location
3 Chokseok-ro 207beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
- ✔Hours
Daily 6:00 AM–9:00 PM (Last order 8:00 PM)
- ✔Prices
Yukhoe bibimbap ₩13,000 (≈ $9.75) / Grill-seared bulgogi ₩30,000 (≈ $22.50) / Korean beef yukhoe ₩50,000 (≈ $37.50)
A four-generation favorite for sweet-and-sour pork: Namwon ‘Gyeongbangru’
Namwon’s ‘Gyeongbangru’ is a four-generation, century-old Chinese restaurant founded by Jin Gyeongbang, who emigrated from China in the early 1900s. Their tangsuyuk (sweet-and-sour pork) features crunchy lotus root and plenty of wood ear mushrooms, all coated in a thick, glossy sauce poured over the dish. The batter follows an old-school method, delivering a perfect crunch. The interplay of sticky sauce, crisp coating, crunchy lotus root, and chewy mushrooms makes this tangsuyuk a memorable harmony of textures.
| Read more about ‘Gyeongbangru’ on Siksin ▶
29 Gwanghanbuk-ro, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do
- ▲Hours
Daily 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (Break time 3:30 PM–5:00 PM) / Closed on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
- ▲Prices
Jjajangmyeon ₩8,000 (≈ $6.00) / Tangsuyuk (small) ₩23,000 (≈ $17.25)
A century-old restaurant awarded by Michelin for its light pork su-yuk and noodles: Busan ‘Pyeongsanok’
Busan’s ‘Pyeongsanok’ is a century-old specialist in pork su-yuk. Their signature is paper-thin slices of boiled pork served with shredded radish, a seasoned chive salad, and a tangy house dipping sauce. The thin cuts strike an ideal balance between lean meat and fat for a tender, clean bite. Pairing the pork with the chive salad and radish brightens the flavors, and the sweet-and-tangy sauce brings everything together. They also serve simple noodles in a light pork broth with scallions and kimchi — a classic side that complements the su-yuk.
| Read more on Siksin: ‘Pyeongsanok’
26 Choryangjung-ro, Dong-gu, Busan
- ✔Hours
Mon–Sat 10:00 AM–8:00 PM / Closed Sundays
- ✔Prices
Su-yuk ₩10,000 (≈ $7.50) / Noodles ₩3,000 (≈ $2.25) / Youngmu noodles ₩4,000 (≈ $3.00)
The undisputed history of Korean seolleongtang: Jongno ‘Imun Seolleongtang’
Imun Seolleongtang is a Seoul institution with over 100 years of history and a designated Seoul Future Heritage site. Their classic seolleongtang arrives with hot broth ladled over rice and thin wheat noodles. The soup sits between milky and clear — mild, comforting, and deeply savory. Despite being a beef broth, it remains surprisingly light and is served unseasoned so you can finish it to your taste with salt, pepper, and scallions. Order the Special Seolleongtang to try a variety of beef cuts like spleen, tongue, and head meat. Both the soup and the kimchi are made without artificial seasonings, yielding a clean, gentle finish.
| Read more on Siksin: ‘Imun Seolleongtang’
- ✔Location
38-13 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Mon–Sat 8:00 AM–9:00 PM, Sun 8:00 AM–8:00 PM, Break time 3:00 PM–4:30 PM
- ✔Prices
Seolleongtang ₩14,000 (≈ $10.50) / Ox knee soup (donga-ni-tang) ₩17,000 (≈ $12.75) / Head meat soup ₩16,000 (≈ $12.00)
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