Sae Seoul Duruchigi: Famous Spicy Pork in Seogwipo
If Jeju City is famous for black pork, Seogwipo is famous for duruchigi (spicy stir-fried pork). Yongi Sikdang, which I posted about before, is the most representative duruchigi restaurant, but there are many other hidden spots. Sae Seoul Duruchigi, which I'm introducing today, is one of those hidden gems.
Yongi Sikdang is so crowded that the chaotic atmosphere can be a bit of a downside when trying to eat. However, perhaps because Sae Seoul Duruchigi isn't massively famous yet, you can enjoy a quiet meal without the crowds.
It also has a huge advantage in terms of location. It's right across from Lee Jung-seop Street, a must-see spot dedicated to the artist who represents the soul of Seogwipo. So, it's perfectly situated to fill your stomach before exploring the street.
You might think their duruchigi would be vastly different from Yongi Sikdang's, but there isn't much of a difference. The types of vegetables are similar, and with only slight variations in the ratios, it's hard to tell them apart. The seasoning is slightly different, but unless you compare them side-by-side, you won't notice. This might be because duruchigi itself isn't a highly complex dish, but Jeju Island as a whole doesn't seem to have restaurants with wildly unique recipes. It's not like Seoul or Bangkok, where the same dish can have distinct local characteristics depending on the neighborhood.
Because of that, it's a perfectly satisfying place to eat duruchigi.
The most important thing when eating duruchigi is the garlic. Loading it up with meat, bean sprouts, and seasoned green onions is a given, but you absolutely have to add a clove or two of raw garlic as the finishing touch. This elevates the original flavor—which some might find a bit bland rather than spicy—to perfectly suit a Seoulite's palate.
Another thing to keep in mind when eating duruchigi is that you must save room for fried rice. And you need to leave just enough meat to mix into the rice for the best flavor.
It goes without saying, but if you haven't had the fried rice, you haven't truly eaten duruchigi. However, when you go alone, it can be quite uncomfortable to order just one portion at a meat restaurant. What's great about Sae Seoul Duruchigi is that you can go by yourself, order one portion of duruchigi, and follow it up with one portion of fried rice. Thanks to the owner's consideration—who doesn't make you feel awkward at all—it's a fantastic place to eat solo while traveling.
