Songjuk
A comforting bowl for the soul
Key Information
- 🕐 Last Order: Mon–Fri 18:40, Sat–Sun 12:40
- 📅 Weekday Public Holiday Hours: 07:00–13:00 (Last order 12:40)
- 💳 Easy Pay and credit cards accepted
- 👥 Ideal for solo diners or pairs · Solo dining friendly
- 🍲 Signature Dishes: Jeju Bomal Porridge · Abalone Porridge · Abalone Intestine Porridge
- 📺 TV Feature: Delicious Guys Episode 239, broadcast on September 20, 2019 — Porridge
A Warm, Comforting Bowl of Porridge: Chungmuro Songjuk
Nestled in the alleyways of Chungmuro, Songjuk is a specialty porridge restaurant that has been running since 1968. Located just a short walk from Exit 6 of Chungmuro Station, it's a convenient spot for travelers looking for an easy breakfast or lunch. Rather than a trendy or flashy vibe, it offers the comfortable, down-to-earth atmosphere of a long-standing neighborhood diner.
Their standout menu items include Jeju bomal (sea snail) porridge, abalone porridge, abalone intestine porridge, haetgult/maesaengi (seaweed) porridge, and mushroom-oyster porridge. The Jeju bomal porridge is particularly famous, made with sea snails native to Jeju Island. They also serve more familiar options like abalone or seaweed porridge, making it a great entry point for visitors trying Korean porridge for the first time.
Because Songjuk opens its doors early in the morning, it's a reliable go-to when you need a hearty, comforting start to your day of sightseeing. Porridge is gentle on the stomach, making it the ultimate comfort food if you had a late night out or just want something light. Keep in mind that operating hours can vary slightly depending on the day of the week, so it's a good idea to double-check before heading over.
The restaurant is very solo-friendly, making it a breeze for one or two people to drop in and order their own bowls. If you're exploring Chungmuro and Myeongdong on the same day, stopping by for a hot bowl of traditional Korean porridge makes for a wonderful breakfast or lunch break.
👥 Why Locals Love It
- 🍲 Decades of Porridge Expertise — A traditional spot that has been perfecting a single craft—porridge—in Chungmuro since 1968.
- 🥣 A Variety of Porridge Options — Choose from comforting classics like abalone, bomal, seaweed, and mushroom-oyster porridges to suit your taste.
- 🌅 A Great Breakfast Spot — Opening relatively early, it's a favorite morning fuel-up spot for local office workers and travelers alike.
- 👤 Solo Dining Friendly — Since porridge is served as a complete one-bowl meal, dining alone here is completely hassle-free.
- 🏙️ A Classic Chungmuro Neighborhood Joint — Skip the tourist traps and experience the authentic, lived-in vibe of a long-running local eatery.
📍 Tips for Foreign Visitors
- 🐚 Looking for Something Uniquely Korean? — Try the Jeju bomal porridge. Bomal are small sea snails popular in Jeju, offering a rich ocean flavor and nutty depth distinct from standard abalone porridge.
- 🌿 Not a Fan of Seafood? — Opt for seaweed or mushroom porridge instead. If you aren't sure about an ingredient, don't hesitate to ask the staff before ordering.
- 🌅 Perfect for an Early Morning Bite — Porridge is a classic Korean breakfast choice. Drop by early for a warm, gentle meal to kick off your day of exploring.
- 🥄 Watch Out for the Heat — Porridge retains heat for a long time. Give it a stir and check the temperature before diving in.
- 🥢 Pair It with the Side Dishes — Nibble on the kimchi and banchan (side dishes) served alongside your meal to experience authentic Korean porridge-eating etiquette.













Comments0