The two places that have reached the pinnacle of Chinese cuisine in Seoul, 'Hidden Food', have captured the attention of food enthusiasts. The episode of SBS 'Master of Life' aired on the 23rd, featuring 'Hidden Food - The Best Chinese Cuisine in Seoul', introduced a long-established restaurant in Jongno that is bustling from dawn and a hidden gem in Gwanak known for its extreme waiting times.
◇ "Fully Booked by 9:30 AM"… The Taste of Jongno Preserved by the Disciple of a Chinese Food Master
The first place visited by the food exploration team, led by Im Hong-sik and Chef Pil Gam-san, is a Chinese restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Despite the early hour of 9:30 AM, the restaurant was fully booked, and the long line outside proved its popularity. Notably, the popular menu item 'Jjamppong Rice' sold out early, leaving the production team astonished.
After tasting the signature dishes, Jjamppong and Sweet and Sour Pork, the food exploration team could not hide their admiration. Chef Im Hong-sik praised it as "an explosive umami that fills the mouth," while Chef Pil Gam-san gave high marks for the fresh charred flavor that is stir-fried immediately upon ordering. The master of this place, Moon Kyung-cheol, is a disciple of the renowned Chinese food master, Jang Hong-ki, and showcased the authentic skills of traditional Chinese cuisine he learned from his mentor.
◇ "I’ll Wait an Hour and a Half to Eat"… Gwanak's 'Yurin-gi' More Famous than Sweet and Sour Pork
Next, the food exploration team visited a Chinese powerhouse in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. After a wait of 1 hour and 30 minutes, they entered a restaurant where, interestingly, more customers were looking for 'Yurin-gi' than Sweet and Sour Pork.
Chef Pil Gam-san, who tasted the Yurin-gi, praised it as "a level I definitely want to show my disciples," while Chef Im Hong-sik expressed surprise at the rich broth flavor of the meat Jjamppong found in the seafood Jjamppong. The owner of this restaurant, who started delivering at the age of 17 and honed his skills at famous Chinese restaurants in Gangnam, revealed that decades of know-how gained on-site are the secret to its unique taste.
Immediately after the broadcast, online communities reacted enthusiastically, sharing location information for both restaurants. The stories of these two masters, who maintained the pride of Seoul's Chinese cuisine with flavors faithful to the basics rather than flashy techniques, left a deep impression on viewers.
