Charles Sutbul Gimbap (Seoul)

A gimbap on wood charcoal and a cartoon dog as a mascot to tease the passer-by, food with character to turn him into a loyal customer if he manages to survive, that's the concept.

"Sutbul Gimbap", the fabled charcoal gimbap, costs 4,000 a roll but it's a very big and very very tasty one. Not as big as the anchovy/walnut rice ball, though (KRW 2,500 - an interesting way of revisiting a classic snack with a classic banchan).

But what literally killed me was the "cheese bul ddeokbokki", one of the meanest I've ever tasted... and I survived many times Woojeong Nakji, a.k.a. The Octopus From Hell. Luckily enough, I just had to stretch the arm to reach the water fountain, which was as steamy as I by the end of the dish.

Charles Sutbul Gimbap / 찰스 숯불 김밥
201-6 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, ROK
Tel: +82.2.334.1692

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Woo-Jeong Nakji (Seoul)

Their octopuss is so hot it may kill your foes or your microbs, but their light clam soup can help you survive another day.

SM2003

Woo-Jeong Nakji / Ujeong Nakji / 우정낙지 (restaurant)
Seolin-dong 127, Jongno-gu, SEOUL, ROK
Tel : +82.2.720.7991

Photo "Octopus museum" (copyright Stephane MOT 2007)


Woo-Jeong Nakji's ugly old yellow-salmonishy building is the only one remaining in the area after the restoration of Cheonggyecheon. You simply can't remove such an institution overnight. Hell - if they can survive their own food these guys may even survive a nuclear attack.

I'm afraid bulldozers will eventually tear this Octopus Museum down and that day will be a sad one for Yours Truly.

SM2006

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