I was researching for places to eat in Seongsu-dong on my first trip there as I was unfamiliar with the trendy neighbourhood, and I saw a few different media recommending this restaurant called Grandmother’s Recipe that served Korean home-style cooking.

The appetising food photos really drew me in. I also really wanted to eat homely Korean cuisine before my trip ended, so that worked out!

When we reached at around 10.30am, there was already a couple queueing outside the restaurant. We stood in line and waited for it to open at 11am, and then we noticed that there was a snaking line forming behind us. I was quite surprised as I thought that Grandmother’s Recipe was just an ordinary restaurant.

Hence, I went to dig a little more after our trip. It was then that I found out this restaurant is actually recommended in the 2018 Michelin Guide Seoul. This definitely explained its popularity!

The restaurant was located in a beautiful spot near the Seoul Forest and flanked by trees along the road. If you’re here during lunch time, be sure to grab a window seat and bask in the sunlight filtering through.

The staff initially presented us an all-Korean menu in a beautifully folded envelope. However, if you need an English menu, just let the staff know and they’ll be happy to present you with one, complete with photos and a detailed explanation of each item on the menu.

I ordered the signature bibimbap set (버섯영양부추비빔밥) for myself. I also ordered beef patties to share with my travel companions. Unfortunately I didn’t snap a photo of the menu so I don’t have the price of each dish. However, it’s safe to say that they didn’t burn a hole our wallets despite how amazing everything was.

Just see the effort they put into setting the food:

While I still think Jeonju serves the best bibimbap, I can’t deny that Grandmother’s Recipe take on this Korean home staple is a delightful surprise.

The ingredients meshed well with the chili being just the right amount of spicy, topped with a burst of flavour from the garlic chips. It is atypical of the usual bibimbaps offered, but it is a good kind of different.

Also major shoutout to the sweet pumpkin paste (the yellow mixture) on the right! I would even say that this was my favourite part of the whole meal. I really wanted to ask for a few more servings of it. It was just too bad that I was already so full from the bibimbap!

They grilled the beef patties to perfection along with broccoli, king oyster mushroom and pumpkin slices.

My only gripe is that the meat was a little thick and difficult to eat. However, it also means that they are incredibly generous with the amount of meat they serve!

The food at Grandmother’s Recipe impressed me so much that I couldn’t help singing its praises throughout the meal. After I got back from Korea, I continued recommending this restaurant to anyone who was planning a trip to Seoul.

They’ve toed that delicate balance between homely cooking and fine dining superbly well. It’s decadent and well-polished enough to earn a well-deserved place in the Michelin guide, but also comforting enough to make you feel like a Korean grandmother had cooked this for you when you pop over to her house.

There is no doubt that I would visit Grandmother’s Recipe again. I would even make a trip down to Seongsu-dong just to get a taste of this satisfying meal, even if I had no other business in the neighbourhood!

---

Directions

Address: 15-1 Seoulsup 6-gil, Seongdong-gu

Opening Hours:
Lunch 11:30am – 3:00pm, Last Order 2:30pm,
Dinner 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Last Order 9pm (Wed – Mon)
Closed Tues

Related Posts:

• Gogung Suragan: possibly the best bibimbap in Jeonju
• Hasukyeong Gamasot Bibimbap: unique bibimbap in Jeonju
• Best places to eat bibimbap in Jeonju