A Korean proverb says, “A loaf of bread is better than the song of many birds.” It means that no matter how much we may enjoy doing something, we can only appreciate it when we're full. So, why not start your Korean journey with a delicious meal? Here are four restaurants that offer an exceptional dining experience, conveniently accessible from Incheon International Airport via the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) and airport limousine buses. All four restaurants are designated as Long-Lasting Small Business, known for their great taste, food presentation, and health-conscious offerings. Don’t forget to take advantage of the special discount promotion for visitors from October 14 to November 13, 2024.

* What is a Long-lasting Small Business?
This certification is awarded by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to stores that have been in business for more than 30 years and are recognized for their quality and growth potential.

Manseokjang, Healthy Meals from Nature

Location ｜ Take the airport railroad from Incheon International Airport to Digital Media City (DMC) Station. From Exit 1 or 5, a short taxi ride will take you to the restaurant. If traveling by car from Incheon International Airport, it takes about an hour.

Introduction ｜ The restaurant's name, “a place with many stones and a villa-like house,” reflects its desire for guests to enjoy a hearty meal as if they were relaxing in a villa. The dishes made with handmade bean curd and leaf wraps and rice have maintained the same heartfelt flavor since its opening in 1961. Located near the entrance to Bukhansanseong Fortress, it offers a culinary experience that blends history and nature.

Signature Menus ｜Their signature dishes are closely linked to soybeans grown and produced in Jangdan-myeon in Paju, an area famous for its bean curd. Every morning, they make handmade bean curd using these soybeans, adding a rich flavor to their signature dishes: the Korean Table d’Hote of Bean Curd and the Seafood and Soft Bean Curd Jjigae Set Menu. The former features handmade bean curd served with smoked duck and napa wraps with pork, providing a satisfying meal. The latter is full of fresh seafood and perfectly plated side dishes. Both dishes come with hot stone pot rice and unlimited servings of ten different vegetables.

* Discount Event
Period: October 14 - November 13, 2024
Details: 10% off for Korean Table d’hote of Bean Curd & Seafood and Soft Bean Curd Jjigae Set Menu
Discount limit: One-time discount per table
Eligible visitors: All international tourists subscribed to VISITKOREA during the promotion period
Discount policy: The same discount available for return visits

Jangwon Bossam, Guaranteed by Locals

Location ｜ Take the airport limousine bus No. 6200 from Incheon International Airport and get off at Cheonho Station after about 1 hour and 50 minutes (seven stops). The restaurant is an eight-minute walk from the bus stop.

Introduction ｜ Jangwon Bossam has been in the same location for over 40 years since opening in 1986. With the motto “What we serve to our guests is what we serve to our loved ones,” they prepare kimchi every morning for their customers. The restaurant's fresh ingredients and generous portions have won over many customers, 80% of whom are regulars. This has established Jangwon Bossam as a local favorite in the Cheonho-dong area.

Signature Menus ｜Their main dishes include Napa Wraps with Pork and Braised Pigs' Feet, which are made with high-quality domestic pork. The unique, tender texture and rich, savory flavors keep customers coming back for more. Depending on the season, guests can also enjoy variations, such as napa wraps with pork and oyster; napa wraps with pork, skate, and kimchi combo; or chilled braised pigs' feet. These dishes pair wonderfully with jumbo sized buckwheat noodles for a hearty meal. They still keep the traditional recipe for kimchi and side dishes that perfectly complement their signature dishes. For solo diners, well-portioned individual meals are also available.

* Discount Event
Period: October 14 - November 13, 2024
Details: 5% off Napa Wraps with Pork and Braised Pigs' Feet menus or free Jumbo Sized Buckwheat Noodles
Discount limit: One-time discount per table per day / No limit on the number of visits during the promotion period
Eligible visitors: All international tourists subscribed to VISITKOREA during the promotion period
Discount policy: Discount does not apply to meals, including Napa Wraps with Pork Set Menu, Jjigae, or Cold Buckwheat Noodles

Samwoojeong, Must-visit Bulgogi Restaurant in the Best Shopping Place

Location ｜ Take the airport limousine bus No. 6705A from Incheon International Airport and get off at the Jamsil Lotte World Hotel & Lotte Tower stop. The restaurant is a five-minute walk away, located on the 11th-floor dining area of Lotte Department Store Jamsil Branch.

Introduction ｜ At Samwoojeong, you can enjoy a variety of bulgogi dishes, from traditional bulgogi to bulgogi hot pots. Bulgogi is one of the most beloved traditional dishes in Korea. Opened in 1979, they have maintained their presence in the department store, consistently offering high-quality taste, hygiene, and service. Tasting traditional Korean cuisine in one of Seoul's most popular shopping centers will surely offer you a unique experience.

Signature Menus ｜ The signature dish, Sirloin Bulgogi, is made using the founder's traditional recipe, which has been passed down since 1979. The sirloin is thinly sliced and aged for 48 hours in a broth that is naturally sweetened with fruit. It can be called authentic Seoul-style bulgogi. The generous serving of bulgogi is accompanied by a rich broth, which is one of the secrets to its popularity. The combination of glass noodles, mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and bulgogi makes it hard to put down your spoon. Another signature dish is Marinated Grilled Jumbo Galbi, a traditional marinated grilled rib. The rib meat, attached to the bone, is tenderized with diamond-shaped cuts, allowing the natural fruit-based marinade to infuse the meat with an enhanced flavor.

* Discount Event
Period: October 14 - November 13, 2024
Details: 10% off for Sirloin Bulgogi & Marinated Grilled Jumbo Galbi
Discount limit: One discount per table per menu
Eligible visitors: All international tourists subscribed to VISITKOREA during the promotion period
Discount policy: A minimum order of two servings is required for both dishes

Myeongdong Chicken Main Store, a 400-Year-Old Traditional Invigorating Food Restaurant

Location ｜ Take the airport shuttle bus No. 6002 from Incheon International Airport, get off at the Dongdaemun Shopping Complex Jongno 6-ga stop after 17 stops, and walk about five minutes along the main road to reach the restaurant.

Introduction ｜ The Myeongdong Chicken Main Store, established in 1983, is a family-run, invigorating food restaurant currently operated by its third generation. Known among international tourists, the restaurant offers menus in English, Japanese, and Chinese, with staff who can speak Chinese. Being close to Dongdaemun Market, one of Seoul’s premier shopping districts, it’s a convenient spot to include in your travel itinerary.

Signature Menus ｜ The restaurant’s specialty, Whole Chicken Stew with Castor Aralia, is a modern reinterpretation of Korea’s traditional health food passed down from Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine (a traditional Korean medical text written in 1610 by Heo Jun, a physician for the king and the royal family). This dish features a rich broth made by boiling Castor Aralia with a variety of vegetables and medicinal herbs, in which chicken is cooked. The chicken is served with a special dipping sauce made of mixed mustard, soy sauce, garlic, red pepper seasoning, vinegar, and chives. It's highly recommended that extra noodles be added to the broth afterward. Other popular menu items include whole chicken stew with sticky rice, ginseng, and jujubes in a broth with medicinal herbs and spicy braised chicken.

* Discount Event
Period: October 14 - November 13, 2024
Details: Free beverage (oolong tea or soft drink) per table
Discount limit: One-time discount per table
Eligible visitors: All international tourists subscribed to VISITKOREA during the promotion period
Discount policy: One-time use per table

* This column was last updated in September 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.