Ppippine Bunsik
삐삐네분식
About
Beloved retro tteokbokki spot near Boramae Station serving affordable tabletop-simmered tteokbokki since 1983.
Tucked into a quiet alley near Boramae Station in Dongjak District, Ppi-Ppi-ne Bunsik has anchored the local retro snack scene since 1983. While its weathered exterior shows decades of neighborhood history, step inside and you find an immaculate dining room, tidy open kitchen, and walls lined with celebrity autographs. Now run by an attentive younger couple, this daytime-only gem—shutting down promptly at 5:00 PM and closed on Sundays—draws loyalists craving old-school *jeukseok tteokbokki* (tabletop-simmered rice cakes) that remains remarkably easy on the wallet. The centerpiece here is the simmering, customized pot. Diners typically pick the standard broth spice level, a balanced, clean-tasting sauce with subtle sweetness that suits families with young children, while seasoned regulars opt for the spicy kick. Unlike heavyset, overly thickened renditions, the broth boils down into a refreshing, savory glaze that never tastes overly salty or leaves a cloying finish. Essential additions include boiled eggs, fish cakes, and chewy noodles—either ramen or *jjolmyeon* (chewy wheat noodles)—which soak up the simmering sauce as the portable tabletop burner hums. Golden sides like crisp *yakki mandu* (fried flat dumplings) and *gimmari* (deep-fried seaweed noodle rolls) provide necessary textural contrast when dipped into the bubbling pot. A plate of plain *sundae* (blood sausage) is also available, served strictly without offal cuts. The non-negotiable ritual, however, comes at the end. After the pan is scraped nearly clear of rice cakes and noodles, call for *bokkeumbap*. The owners expertly toss the remaining sauce with rice directly on the burner, yielding a toasty, deeply satisfying finish that cements why this historic bunsik staple continues to pack tables four decades on. Plan carefully around the early afternoon closing time, as the kitchen calls last orders at 4:40 PM.
Menu
- Tteokbokki (2 portions)₩14,000
- Fried Rice₩2,000
- Boiled Egg Add-on
- Deep-fried Dumplings₩3,000
- Spicy Chewy Noodles₩7,000
- Cold Broth Noodles₩7,000
- 김밥 (1인분)₩4,000
- 찰순대 (1인분)₩4,000
Local tips
- Note the short business hours ending at 17:00, closed on Sundays.
- Only one car can park right in front of the shop; ask the owner upon arrival.
- Finish your meal with the fried rice mixed directly in the remaining sauce.
- The sundae comes without offal/innards, so plan your toppings accordingly.
Details
- Boramae Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- —
- Monday
- 11:30–17:00
- Tuesday
- 11:30–17:00
- Wednesday
- 11:30–17:00
- Thursday
- 11:30–17:00
- Friday
- 11:30–17:00
- Saturday
- 11:30–18:00