Nokdu Bindaetteok (녹두 빈대떡)

4. Nokdu Bindaetteok (녹두 빈대떡)
Restaurant Name : Sunheeneh (순희네) in Gwangjang market(광장시장).

Koreans want to eat Bindaetteok(빈대떡) when it rains. I don't know why, but it is true. I do, too. According to some reaserch, it's becasue people want to raise their blood sugar level, and flour in Bindaetteok is helpful for it.

But I think it's a kind of Koreans' psychological mechanism. If it rains, they have to eat Bindaetteok or Jeon(전) or Buchimgae(부침개). It's like Americans want to eat Pancakes on Sunday morning.

The best spot for Bindaedduck in Seoul is "Sun-hee-neh(순희네)" in Gwangjang market. (it's not a restaurant. It's a half restaurant and a half street stand, sort of.) Actually, Gwangjang market (광장시장) is the jewel-like place for Seoul foodies. Becasue there are various foods with the long accumulated know-how. Most foods here are traditional, popular and of course, yummmmmy. Additionally, you can feel a liveliness that the grocery store can't match and see a totally different scene from well-planned areas. Again, this is not a fancy spot. Everything is very old and less organized. This market has been 100 years. But I strongly recommend you to visit here. I believe visiting the traditional old market is an essential cultural experience when traveling or staying in other country.

There might be many people waiting. Then, you can try out other places like "Bahk-ga-neh(박가네)", or just say "Ssa-joo-se-yo." It's like "To go" in English. But, eating here would be a special experience.

I forgot. This bindaetteock is made of nokdu which is a kind of bean. Many called this a korean pancake. Tasty and soft inside, crispy outside. One more tip, it goes really well with Makgeoli(막걸리), a traditional alcoholic beverage. It's raining outside, today. Ummm~ I'm thinking of it with my mouth watering. Ah... wanna eat.

Location: it's kind of hard to find it like other hidden place. Find the gate of the market from exit 8 of Jongro 5 ga station. Go straight into the gate.

(momschestnut.blogspot.com)