Jalaneun Bapjip

About

A basement Korean buffet on Apgujeong Rodeo’s main avenue, offering a rotating spread of homestyle side dishes, rice, noodles, curry, kimbap, and meat for 10,000 won.

Tucked into the basement of Hanyang Arcade across from Galleria Department Store, Jal Aneun Bapjib (also known locally as Jal Aneun Sikdang) is an unexpected fixture in high-rent Apgujeong Rodeo: an all-you-can-eat Korean buffet priced at just 10,000 won. Operated by an elderly owner and his attentive staff, the clean cafeteria-style basement fills with neighborhood workers before noon. A tidy counter of solo seats along the wall makes it just as welcoming for solitary lunchers as it is for groups around the four-top tables. The line begins with a choice of grains—steamed white, barley, or mixed grain—before opening into an expansive selection of home-style fare. A communal station offers fresh lettuce wraps, ssamjang, and red pepper paste, leading directly to the main draw: jeyuk bokkeum (stir-fried spicy pork), which rotates through classic chili, soy, and kimchi preparations. Daily staples include freshly sliced gimbap, crisp pan-fried jeon (such as kimchi or buchujeon), house-made curry, and broths ranging from beef seaweed soup and yukgaejang to doenjang soup brimming with sujibee dough. At the noodle station, guests drop somyeon bundles into hot broth or twirl tangier cold noodles onto their trays. Lesser-seen touches set the spread apart from standard buffets. A cauldron of nutty heukimja-juk (black sesame porridge) provides an earthy starter, while rice tteokbokki and braised mackerel with daikon radish make regular appearances. The rotating side dishes favor light, unpretentious seasonings: sweet-and-savory stir-fried anchovies with peanuts, seasoned seaweed, shredded radish salad, and snappy fresh geotjeori. Diners end their meals with steaming sungnyung ladled straight from the pot, sweet maesil tea, or a quick paper cup of instant coffee. Unlike most pay-first buffets, settling the 10,000-won bill happens on your way out after returning your emptied tray. Note the weekday-only hours: the kitchen closes early on Thursdays and remains shuttered on weekends.