Andong Banjeom
안동반점
About
Andong Banjeom Chinese Restaurant is located behind the Seongbuk Independent Living Center for the Disabled, near Exit 4 of Bomun Station on Line 6. Set among the homes in Bomun-dong, the restaurant has no parking lot. The red sign at the entrance hints that it serves Chinese cuisine. Its single-story, old-style building reveals that this long-running restaurant has stood for 60 years. It does not take reservations, so there is often a queue. Its signature dishes are sweet and sour pork and japchae rice, served with fried rice instead of plain white rice and a bowl of jjamppong broth. The sweet and sour pork has a crisp batter, and the sauce is distinctive for containing cabbage. Other popular dishes include jajangmyeon, samseon jjamppong, and fried dumplings. Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine are nearby, making it easy to combine a visit with sightseeing.
The red signboard is the first clue that Andong Banjeom is an old-school neighborhood Chinese restaurant; the next is the waitlist sheet by the door. Inside, the room has a retro, lively feel, with regulars and families sharing tables with solo diners. At lunch, the line is part of the visit: waits of 20 to 50 minutes are common, and weekends or rainy days can stretch them further. Start with japchae bap (잡채밥, ₩10,000), the dish people return for. The japchae is stir-fried with plenty of vegetables and a mild kick, then served with fried rice rather than plain white rice—a savory, slightly spicy combination that makes a filling meal. Tangsuyuk (탕수육, small ₩15,000) is an older style, with a light starch coating and a sweet sauce without much ketchup taste. It is notably sweet, so it suits you if you like that contrast; if not, share a small plate rather than making it your whole order. Jjamppong (짬뽕, ₩8,000) brings seafood in a briny, savory broth with moderately thick noodles. Reports on the seafood vary, so it is not the surest choice if freshness is your priority. The less common fried meat (고기튀김, small ₩15,000) is another option to share. Arrive near opening if you want to limit the wait, and add your name to the sheet when you get there. The restaurant is open 11:00–17:00, with last order at 16:20, but it may close early if ingredients run out. It is closed Monday through Wednesday, and there is no parking at the restaurant; nearby Seongbuk-gu Office parking is an option. This is a good fit for friends or family who enjoy classic Korean-Chinese dishes and don't mind waiting in a busy room. Keep expectations flexible: the sweetness of the tangsuyuk divides diners, and reports on consistency are mixed.
Menu
- Samseon Jjamppong₩14,000
- Japchae Rice₩10,000
- Sweet-and-sour Pork (Small)₩15,000
- Jajangmyeon₩7,000
- Jjamppong₩8,000
- Fried Rice₩8,000
- Fried Dumplings₩5,000
- Boiled Dumplings₩5,000
- Samseon Udon₩14,000
- 고기튀김(소)₩15,000
- 잡채(소)₩15,000
- 양장피(소)₩22,000
- 깐풍기(소)₩22,000
- 팔보채(소)₩25,000
- 탕수육(중)₩20,000
- Sweet And Sour Pork, Large₩29,000
- 고기튀김(중)₩20,000
- 고기튀김(대)₩29,000
- 잡채(중)₩20,000
- 잡채(대)₩29,000
- 양장피(중)₩27,000
- 양장피(대)₩35,000
- 깐풍기(중)₩27,000
- 깐풍기(대)₩35,000
- 팔보채(중)₩35,000
- 팔보채(대)₩45,000
Local tips
- Arrive near 11:00 to improve your chances of a shorter wait.
- Write your name on the waitlist sheet when you arrive.
- Order japchae bap (₩10,000) for the vegetable-rich house favorite.
- Share the small tangsuyuk (₩15,000) if you are unsure about its sweetness.
- Check the hours before setting out: closed Monday–Wednesday, last order 16:20.