[Michelin Muk-eobollang] An Unexpected Michelin Encounter at Gwangjang Market

Taste the 60-Year Tradition of Yukhoe at Gwangjang Market!

Editor's NoteIf you are interested in food, you have probably heard of the bestseller "Michelin Guide." According to the official website, it provides useful information for those seeking unforgettable experiences. So, the Drinkit editors took on the challenge to see if the taste could impress even the very ordinary and popular among us. Michelin Guide restaurants, here we come!

When you think of Yukhoe, you think of Gwangjang Market; when you think of Gwangjang Market, you think of Yukhoe. This is a phrase that every Korean can relate to. It is said that there is a restaurant selected in the Michelin Guide Seoul in the always bustling Gwangjang Market. Moreover, the menu is none other than Yukhoe. The title Michelin usually brings to mind a luxurious atmosphere, so a market and Yukhoe together! And among many Yukhoe restaurants in Gwangjang Market, only one was selected, which naturally aroused both curiosity and skepticism.

If you search for ‘Gwangjang Market Yukhoe,’ you will find restaurants with various descriptors such as TV appearances and original. However, there is only one place with a 60-year tradition that has held the Michelin title for four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022. That place is Buchon Yukhoe, and with high expectations, we headed to the main branch. The main branch is not very spacious, so the distance between tables is narrow. There is no place to put coats or bags, making it no different from other restaurants in the Yukhoe alley of Gwangjang Market.

▶ Food Faster Than Fast Food

Basic side dishes include garlic, Cheongyang chili peppers, ssamjang (wrap sauce), oil sauce, kimchi, and beef radish soup. The beef radish soup, made with radish and beef, had a deep broth flavor that reminded us of warm home-cooked meals. We ordered the most basic Yukhoe, Yukhoe Bibimbap (special), and live octopus tangtangi. Since these dishes require little to no cooking, all the food was served immediately upon ordering. For hungry people, the speed is more than satisfying! It’s great to enjoy various dishes at the same time.

Yukhoe

The Yukhoe has a gentle pink hue with a raw egg yolk on top, presenting a dish faithful to the basics. When you break the yolk and mix it with the Yukhoe, the white slices of pear underneath are revealed, creating a three-color combination that whets the appetite. The Yukhoe itself is not heavily seasoned, so dipping the Yukhoe and pear in the oil sauce is essential! It is savory and melts softly in the mouth.

Yukhoe Bibimbap (Special)

We ordered the special size of Yukhoe Bibimbap, which differs from the regular only in the amount of Yukhoe on top. It is no exaggeration to say that it has the amount of Yukhoe equivalent to a full plate. Since the regular size price (8,000 KRW) is not expensive, we think it is better to eat Yukhoe Bibimbap at Gwangjang Market than frozen Yukhoe Bibimbap. When you add as much gochujang (red chili paste) as you want and mix it with chopsticks, your mouth waters instantly. If you want a richer flavor, we recommend adding a little oil sauce!

Live Octopus Tangtangi

Live octopus tangtangi is served with radish sprouts and seaweed. The strength of the live octopus was so strong that it was difficult to pick it up with chopsticks alone. You dip the octopus in oil sauce, then place it on seaweed with Cheongyang chili, garlic, ssamjang, and radish sprouts in order, and wrap it to eat. The fight with the octopus sticking to every part of your mouth is quite enjoyable. Chewing it thoroughly while saying “sorry” to the octopus might be the fun part of eating live octopus tangtangi.

▶ Benefits of Yukhoe

Yukhoe is rich in nutrients such as calcium, vitamins, and protein, making it good for health. It is an excellent food for overall physical recovery, including immune system enhancement, anemia prevention, growth development, and skin health! Moreover, eating fresh Yukhoe from the same-day slaughter is even better!

▶ Overall Review

If you visit expecting something special because of the Michelin title, you might be disappointed. Compared to other restaurants in the Yukhoe alley of Gwangjang Market, there was no special difference, but perhaps this is the reason it was selected by Michelin. Buchon Yukhoe is a restaurant that competes solely with Yukhoe, not with side dishes like bindaetteok or mung bean pancakes. We think it was selected as a Michelin Bib Gourmand (a restaurant offering reasonably priced food) because it is the most faithful to the ‘basics’ with consistent quality. Unlike other restaurants, it has no closing days, so if the place you wanted to visit is closed, we recommend trying Buchon Yukhoe. Just be aware that there is a break time from 4 to 5 PM!

Photo by Kim Tae-in

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.