Gohyang Gimbap

About

Famed for its appearance on Baek Jong-won's Top 3 Chef King, this Guri Traditional Market snack bar serves classic saucy wheat flour tteokbokki.

Tucked inside Guri Traditional Market, just a short walk from the public parking lot, Gohyang Gimbap bridges the gap between old-school market stall and bustling neighborhood diner. Outside, two massive flat-top pans simmer continuously, churning out bright red rice-cake stew while mounds of freshly fried squid, sweet potato, and mandu beckon passersby. Step past the open kitchen counter, however, and you will find a spacious dining room equipped with touchscreen kiosks and a self-service station stocked with kimchi, yellow pickled radish, warm udon broth, and seasoned black beans (*kongjaban*). The centerpiece here is the soup-style *tteokbokki*, built with diagonally sliced wheat cakes (*miltteok*) that retain a soft, buoyant chew. The sauce strikes a balance between sweet and peppery—comfortingly classic rather than aggressively modern—and arrives served in rustic, pottery-style bowls. Locals routinely pair the broth with crispy fried fritters (*twigim*), letting the crunch of *gimmari* (seaweed noodle rolls) soak into the spicy-sweet liquid. Beyond the star dish, the sprawling *bunsik* menu covers everyday staples. The house gimbap keeps to tradition with seasoned burdock root and balanced fillings, while tuna rice balls (*chamchi jumeokbap*) provide a mild, savory counterweight. For those seeking serious heat, the skewered spicy fish cakes (*maeun eomuk*) deliver an intense, sweat-inducing punch far hotter than the tteokbokki itself. Crispy pork cutlets (*donkkas*) and cold chewy noodles (*jjolmyeon*) remain enduring favorites that keep the room crowded through the lunch rush and into the late evening, drawing everyone from solitary solo diners to market regulars and local night-owls. Gohyang Gimbap serves an unpretentious, time-tested slice of market comfort that hits every nostalgic note. Note that the shop is closed on Wednesdays.