Yongsan. A neighborhood where the sound of trains never ceases. Countless people pass through. Amidst their hurried pace, hidden kimbap shops offer solace from hunger. I spent days tasting kimbap from numerous spots. Here, I share my memories of five. This is an unadorned, honest record of their tastes—some of my best kimbap discoveries in Yongsan, Seoul.
1. Singsing Nara Kimbap (싱싱나라 김밥)
Hyochangwon-ro 104. In a Yongmun Market alley, right next to Elite Optical. It appears on Daum Maps but is elusive on Naver Maps. At seven in the morning, the doors open, and a crowd quickly gathers. It’s open until three in the afternoon, but they often close early when ingredients run out. It’s closed on Mondays and Sundays.
There’s always a line. At the end of it waits a 2,500-won kimbap. A remarkable price. The kimbap was simple. The rice grains were packed with sesame seeds. A nutty aroma intensified with each chew. No fancy ingredients, but that’s precisely why one never tires of it. A taste like this, at this price, is rare these days. Takeaway only. I received a warm kimbap roll in a paper bag. Its weight felt dependable. Leaving the market, my steps were light. It’s a true gem of Yongmun Market.
Location Info
- Name: Singsing Nara Kimbap
- Type: Kimbap Takeaway Stall
- Known for: Affordable (2,500 won) classic kimbap, generous sesame seeds, simple yet savory flavor. Located in Yongmun Market.
- Address: Hyochangwon-ro 104, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2. Seohane Kimbap (서하네김밥)
Hangang-daero 139-1. An elderly couple, a grandmother and grandfather, roll kimbap here. Their hands move with the wisdom of years. They operate from seven in the morning until eight at night but close on Sundays. Their prep time is from two-thirty to four-thirty in the afternoon, during which the shop briefly closes.
If you prefer kimbap with less rice, you mustn’t pass this place by. Vegetables constitute a much larger portion than rice. The crisp texture of the vegetables cleanses the palate. It’s a taste that never gets old. Sometimes, I opt for a roll of flying fish roe kimbap or one with spicy fish cake. Then, it feels less like a simple kimbap and more like a complete meal. This place, too, is takeaway only. The faint, pleasant scent of sesame oil drifted from the kimbap bag. It’s a top kimbap recommendation in Yongsan.
Location Info
- Name: Seohane Kimbap
- Type: Kimbap Takeaway Shop
- Known for: Kimbap with less rice and more vegetables, refreshing taste, run by an elderly couple. Specialty kimbaps like flying fish roe and spicy fish cake.
- Address: Hangang-daero 139-1, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
3. Bada Pocha Dolseom Itaewon (바다포차돌섬이태원)
Itaewon-ro 27ga-gil 54-3, 1st floor. This isn’t solely a kimbap shop. It’s a restaurant, a “pocha,” where one can enjoy a drink at night. It opens at six in the evening and welcomes customers until two in the morning. The name ‘Dolseom Kimbap’ is tucked away on one side of the menu.
Cold raw fish paired with a warm piece of kimbap. It’s a combination revered by those in the know. This place specializes in aged sashimi. The well-aged fish is cold, and the Dolseom Kimbap served alongside it is warm. The harmony was exquisite. I ordered a platter of aged sashimi and added the Dolseom Kimbap. Our soju glasses were emptied several times. And so, the Itaewon night deepened. It’s a place where kimbap transforms into an ideal bar snack. A truly special experience for any food tour in Itaewon.
Location Info
- Name: Bada Pocha Dolseom Itaewon
- Type: Restaurant / Pub (Pocha)
- Known for: Serving “Dolseom Kimbap” alongside aged sashimi. A unique kimbap and seafood experience in Itaewon.
- Address: 1st floor, Itaewon-ro 27ga-gil 54-3, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
4. Hanip Soban (한입소반)
Cheongpa-ro 45-gil 3. Near Sookmyung Women’s University station. A renowned kimbap house. Drawn by its reputation, I paid a visit. It’s open from seven in the morning until seven in the evening. I arrived early on a weekday morning. Thankfully, the wait was minimal.
It gained fame for its Mukeunji-tuna kimbap, also known as ‘Mukcham Kimbap,’ featuring aged kimchi and tuna. However, those with a more developed palate will find the spicy anchovy kimbap or the siraegi (dried radish greens) kimbap to be excellent choices as well. The deep flavor of the aged kimchi paired well with the savory tuna. The spicy stir-fried anchovies stimulate the appetite, while the nutty siraegi offers comfort. I unwrapped my takeaway kimbap in a small space right next to the shop. Being able to taste the kimbap immediately, still warm from the maker’s hands and without any delay, was another of Hanip Soban’s charms—a true gem among the culinary delights of the Sookdae (Sookmyung Women’s University area).
Location Info
- Name: Hanip Soban
- Type: Kimbap Restaurant
- Known for: “Mukcham Kimbap” (aged kimchi & tuna kimbap), spicy anchovy kimbap, siraegi kimbap. Popular spot near Sookmyung Women’s University.
- Address: 1st floor, Cheongpa-ro 45-gil 3, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
5. Seori Kimbap (서리김밥)
Wonhyo-ro 220. This is the kind of kimbap I feel I could eat daily without tiring of it. It opens early, at six-thirty in the morning, and by seven-thirty in the evening, their day is done. Closed on Sundays.
What’s the secret? The owner shared that their secret is using time and care, not MSG. One can almost taste that sincerity in every ingredient. However, sometimes the kimbap is served cold. That was somewhat disappointing, as one anticipates kimbap made with freshly steamed, warm rice.
For a first visit, I recommend trying three rolls: the spicy squid kimbap, the deep-flavored aged kimchi kimbap, and the most basic, Seori Kimbap. These three rolls, each with a distinct personality, offer a delightful tasting experience. The flavors at this Wonhyo-ro kimbap shop are refreshingly direct.
Location Info
- Name: Seori Kimbap
- Type: Kimbap Restaurant
- Known for: Kimbap made without MSG, focusing on quality ingredients. Popular varieties include squid, aged kimchi, and their basic “Seori” kimbap.
- Address: Wonhyo-ro 220, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
The streets of Yongsan are complex. Yet, amidst this complexity, kimbap shops steadfastly hold their ground, each with its own philosophy, each with its own taste. This has been a small record of the Yongsan kimbap I encountered on my culinary explorations. I hope you, too, will discover your own ‘kimbap of a lifetime’ here in Seoul. May you set out hungry and return content.