Cheongryubyeok in Gangnam: Retro Bossam & Makguksu

2019-12-28 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

With retro and vintage trends making a comeback, I'm starting to see more restaurants decorating in a 70s or 80s style. Personally, I have a bad habit of getting extra annoyed if a place is even slightly dirty, probably because it reminds me of an unhygienic chicken kalguksu (noodle soup) place in Dongdaemun from 15 years ago (though I went back recently and it has improved) or those old restaurants that just don't care about their interiors. Today, we had our year-end party at Cheongryubyeok, a restaurant with exactly that kind of retro vibe.

Thanks to its open kitchen and spotless interior, you can fully enjoy the retro atmosphere at Cheongryubyeok without worrying about hygiene. It's not just the decor that's good; the food is delicious, too. If I had to pick just one standout dish here, it would definitely be the perilla oil makguksu (buckwheat noodles). It comes with a tangy broth, and it tastes best when you don't pour too much in—just add about 7 to 8 spoonfuls so there's only a little liquid at the bottom. Since today was a special occasion, we also ordered gamjajeon (potato pancakes) and fresh oysters. Even though everyone was already full from eating bossam (boiled pork wraps), the potato pancakes disappeared in a flash. The oysters tasted incredibly fresh, which felt great, and since no one got an upset stomach afterward, they must really be selling top-quality oysters.

Menu board and a notice for raw oyster sales hanging on the wall. — Even the menu has an old-school vibe. I highly recommend the 100% buckwheat perilla oil makguksu. I'd also love to try their yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) or galbitang (beef rib soup) for lunch sometime. By the way, their signature dish is the Jebok Jaengban (large meat platter), but I wonder when I'll actually get to try it.

Inside of a restaurant showing staff working in the kitchen and cooking utensils. — It features an open kitchen, which is rare and shows they are truly confident in their cleanliness.

Plate generously filled with suyuk (boiled pork slices), dried radish, kimchi, garlic, and chili peppers.

Plate containing neatly sliced suyuk (boiled pork slices) and side dishes. — We ordered a "Large" bossam, but the amount of kimchi was relatively small. They give you free refills of dried radish strips and other vegetables, but adding more kimchi costs 10,000 KRW. Next time, it might be better to just add extra kimchi right from the initial order.

Deulgireum makguksu (perilla oil buckwheat noodles) generously sprinkled with seaweed flakes and sesame seeds, alongside a soju bottle. — Perilla oil makguksu. To really experience the rich flavor of the perilla oil, I recommend adding only 7 to 8 spoonfuls of broth rather than pouring a lot in. For me, it tasted best when it felt just a little bit stiff to mix.

Table set with plates of deulgireum makguksu (perilla oil buckwheat noodles), suyuk (boiled pork slices), kimchi, and vegetables.

A piece of suyuk (boiled pork slices) lifted with a fork, topped with garlic and kimchi.

Two golden brown gamjajeon (potato pancakes) on a white plate, with a soju bottle and other food plates visible next to it. — Gamjajeon. The table next to us ordered bossam and potato pancakes, so we got curious and ordered some too. Now I know exactly why they did. It's slightly sweet and immediately makes you crave makgeolli (rice wine).

I forgot to take pictures of the interior, but stepping inside feels like traveling back to the era of the "Reply" TV series. Because the food is great and the decor is a bit unique, it gets really crowded. There were a lot of people waiting while we ate, and since bossam is the main dish, the table turnover rate doesn't seem very fast. Gangnam (a major district in Seoul) has so many delicious places that this might not seem incredibly special, but it's still a restaurant I visit often whenever I'm in the area.

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