Ijoh Restaurant

About

A modest, old-school Korean diner near Seoul Station, known for generous bean-sprout bibimbap and simple, affordable breakfast meals.

At 이조식당, the appeal is refreshingly direct: a generous bowl, a few familiar Korean staples, and prices that feel unusually modest for a meal near Seoul Station. The small, modest interior carries a lived-in, old-fashioned feel rather than a polished café gloss. Early opening makes it a practical stop for breakfast before work or a train, while solo diners have a counter-style seat, according to visitors. The house favorite is the kongnamul bibimbap, where soybean sprouts take center stage instead of playing a supporting role. A heaped serving arrives with rice, shredded seaweed and crisp radish salad; mix it with the soy-based seasoning until the sauce coats the grains. One diner chose barley rice, praising its pleasantly firm texture alongside the crunchy sprouts. A bowl of broth is served with the bibimbap, and the crisp, cool yeolmu kimchi is a welcome companion—self-serve for those who want more. For a warmer, soupier meal, kongnamul gukbap is another familiar choice. On a hot day, kongguksu offers a seasonal alternative: one visitor paid ₩8,000 and described the portion as substantial. The menu also includes janchi-guksu, making this a place for straightforward comfort rather than elaborate dining. Recent accounts list the bibimbap, gukbap and noodle soup at ₩7,000, with an extra ₩1,000 for a larger bibimbap. The rhythm here sounds as unceremonious as the food: pay first, settle into a seat, and help yourself to more kimchi if you like. Visitors describe attentive clearing and, in one case, a staff member stepping in to show how to press and fold the sauce through the rice. That small gesture suits the room’s unpretentious character. Come for a filling, affordable Korean breakfast or a simple bowl before heading onward; leave room in the bowl for the crunch of sprouts, the salt-sweet seasoning and a spoonful of broth.