Jongno Bindaetteok Kongdubu 31 Branch

About

Spacious retro jeon tavern near Bucheon Station serving crisp mung bean bindaetteok, seafood pajeon, and earthenware bowls of dongdongju.

A short walk from Bucheon Station’s Exit 5, JDB Jongro Bindaetteok (Branch 31) delivers the unmistakable charm of an unpretentious neighborhood *nopo*. The weathered sign out front signals years of history, giving way to a surprisingly spacious dining room outfitted with ample tables, an indoor restroom, and a designated phone-charging station. When rain begins to fall or hikers return from nearby Seongjusan and Soraesan, the space quickly fills with clinking glasses and the steady sizzle of batter hitting the griddle. The kitchen sits in open view, churning out pancakes immediately upon order. The defining signature is the *nokdu bindaetteok* (mung bean pancake), griddled to an assertive, golden crisp. Equally popular is the *haemul pajeon* (seafood scallion pancake), blanketed in rich egg wash and crammed with whole, chunky stalks of scallion alongside squid, shrimp, and whole oysters. Portions run generous across the board, extending to drinking snacks like the massive *golbaengi somyeon*, which tosses sea snails and vegetables in a piquant dressing alongside four large bundles of wheat noodles. Dining here comes with unexpected perks from the side-dish spread. Rather than the bare-minimum crackers typical of traditional taverns, the kitchen sets out around five distinct sides, including sautéed fish cakes, seasoned peanuts, pickled onions, and a deeply savory seasoned radish that customers frequently return for at the self-service bar. While standard bottled brews sit in the refrigerators, regulars know to ask for the off-menu *hangari dongdongju*. Ladled cold from an earthenware jar, the unfiltered rice wine is mildly sweet, effervescent, and sized roughly to two bottles' worth—the quintessential counterpart to cut through the rich crunch of fried batter. It is an affordable, unfussy refuge built for long evenings and stormy weather.