Authentic Jeonju bibimbap originating from ancient royal court cuisine—now available in downtown Seoul

Text & photos by /A newlywed in Korea

Fans of Korean dramas will surely recognize the scene where the protagonists, feeling hungry, pull out all the side dishes from the fridge, dump them into a metal bowl along with steamed rice, add Korean chili paste, and mix everything evenly with a metal spoon to create a delicious bibimbap.

▲ Gugung Branch in Insadong (Image source: Menupan website)

Every time you see the characters in the drama enjoying their meal with such gusto, you must be curious about just how delicious Korean bibimbap really is, right? To satisfy your cravings, I recommend Gugung in Insadong—a restaurant that specializes in traditional Jeonju bibimbap. It’s said that the recipe for Jeonju bibimbap originates from royal court cuisine, being one of the dishes served to the king. To recreate the atmosphere of an ancient palace, Gugung uses log-style designs inspired by traditional Korean houses and even serves food on brass tableware, once exclusively used by the royal family and nobility.

▲ A giant stone pot bibimbap model is displayed at the entrance

Gugung website

▲ The classic and elegant design adds to the dining experience. (Image source: Menupan website)

▲ In addition to regular seating, the restaurant also offers traditional floor-style private rooms with cushions. (Image source: Menupan website)

▲ The restaurant offers a special two-person ABC set meal at a discounted price. We ordered the C set, which includes raw beef bibimbap, stone pot bibimbap, and seafood pancake.

▲ Side dish 1

▲ Side dish 2 (a wide variety and colorful selection)

▲ Warm and thick potato soup

▲ Kimchi pancake

▲ Seafood pancake

▲ Crispy potato pancake (Photo from Korean internet)

Korean bibimbap (Hangeul: 비빔밥)

The ingredients for bibimbap include seasoned sautéed vegetables such as sliced cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, radishes, mushrooms, seaweed, bellflower roots, bracken fern, spinach, and bean sprouts. For protein, you can use raw beef or other meats, then top it with a raw egg yolk to add a moist texture. It can also be made without meat or eggs for vegetarians.

▲ Raw beef bibimbap retains the crunchiness of the ingredients, offering a satisfying texture and delicious taste.

Stone pot bibimbap (Korean: 돌솥 비빔밥)

It’s a type of claypot rice where the hot stone pot is coated with sesame oil. The ingredients are similar to those in regular bibimbap, but the golden crispy layer formed by the hot pot gives it a crunchier texture.

▲ Stone pot bibimbap—if you want more crispy rice, let it sit longer before mixing.

▲ Once mixed, the bibimbap blends the sweetness of various vegetables along with the spicy-sweet flavor of the chili paste. You can also enjoy the crunchiness of the slightly burnt crispy rice. This single bowl contains a medley of wonderful flavors.

▲ The post-meal tea is chilled and refreshing five-flavor berry tea.

▲ Take the subway to Anguk Station, then walk about 850m toward the main street of Insadong.

Address: 44 (in Ssamzie Street B1), Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu (Insa-dong alley)

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