When visiting Seoul, Korea, most people think of eating dishes like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), handmade noodles, or bibimbap. However, one traditional dish that should not be missed is Seowon Abalone Porridge !
On this trip to Seoul, Tsubaki discovered Seowon Abalone Porridge through a friend’s recommendation and decided to give it a try. In this article, I’ll introduce you to traditional Korean abalone porridge, the popular Myeong-dong abalone porridge shop “Seowon”, and share my personal, non-expert food review!
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About Korean Abalone Porridge
Traditional Korean abalone porridge (전복죽, Jeonbokjuk) is a nutritious and mild-flavored dish that has been cherished in Korea for centuries. In ancient times, it was considered a rare and valuable health food, often served to restore strength and boost immunity. Since abalone was once a rare and expensive ingredient, this dish was typically found only on the tables of the wealthy or aristocrats, often prepared for nourishment or special occasions such as festivals and ancestral rites.
Back then, seasoning options and cooking techniques were limited, so the traditional preparation of abalone porridge was quite simple. The key ingredients were abalone, rice, and water. The abalone was carefully cleaned, chopped into small pieces, and slowly simmered with rice until the porridge reached a thick and creamy consistency. To preserve the natural umami of the ingredients, minimal seasoning was used, resulting in a light and delicate flavor.
Over time, this dish became more widely enjoyed by the general public, transforming into a staple of both Korean cuisine and traditional wellness food.
In October 2024, during my visit to Myeong-dong, I learned about this dish through a friend living in Korea and decided to visit Seowon Abalone Porridge, a well-known porridge shop in Myeong-dong. Now, let’s dive into my experience at Seowon Abalone Porridge!
Seowon Abalone Porridge
Seowon Abalone Porridge (서원죽집) is a historic porridge shop located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. Established in 1986, it holds the title of being the first abalone porridge restaurant in the area and remains one of the most famous porridge shops in Korea today.
✔️ Seowon Abalone Porridge (서원죽집)
地址 서울 중구 퇴계로 141 세룡빌딩 지하1층（141 Toegye-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea｜Google Maps｜NEVER Map）
Google Maps Code HX6P+FX Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours 7:00~17:00
How to Get There Right outside Exit 9 of Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Metro)
Payment Cash only
Seowon Abalone Porridge is a beloved restaurant among both locals and international visitors. It has frequently appeared on popular Korean food shows and has been highly recommended by Japanese travel magazines, making it a must-visit spot for travelers in Seoul.
The restaurant is conveniently located near Myeong-dong Station, and you’ll see its banner as soon as you exit from Exit 9. It is so popular that there is always a long queue outside the shop.
On the day of my visit, I arrived at around 10:20 AM and waited approximately 40 minutes before entering the restaurant at 11:00 AM. Since this time seems to be peak hours, I’d recommend coming right at 7:00 AM when the shop opens if you want to avoid long wait times!
Seowon’s Signature Abalone Porridge & Menu
Seowon Abalone Porridge is well known for its diverse porridge selection, but its most popular dish is, of course, the Abalone Porridge!
This dish is made using fresh, premium-quality abalone, and what makes it unique is that abalone intestines are included in the cooking process. This gives the porridge a deep, rich abalone flavor, making it incredibly smooth and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
The porridge is also topped with a quail egg and a mix of black and white sesame seeds. You can enjoy the original taste first and then mix in the egg and sesame for a different flavor.
At first, I didn’t realize that the abalone intestines were used in the cooking process. I just thought the color was a bit greenish and wondered why. It wasn’t until I asked that I found out! Since I’m not a big fan of innards, I was a little surprised, but the way it was blended into the porridge made it barely noticeable. There was no strong or unpleasant taste, so it was quite acceptable—though by the time I found out, I was already halfway through my meal!
There are two types of abalone porridge available:
- Special Abalone Porridge (with extra abalone meat) – 24,000 KRW (16.6 USD)
- Regular Abalone Porridge – 17,000 KRW (11.8 USD)
After looking at the prices, I decided to go with the regular abalone porridge (sweating at the price difference).
Besides abalone porridge, Seowon also offers other options such as Shiitake & Oyster Porridge, Samgyetang Porridge, and more, making it a great choice for all kinds of food lovers. The menu is available in English, making it foreigner-friendly.
Restaurant Atmosphere
The restaurant is located in the basement, so you need to go down a flight of stairs to enter. The passageway is a bit narrow, so be careful with your steps!
The interior was larger than I expected, but it still felt a bit cramped. However, the lighting was bright and welcoming, avoiding the dark and gloomy vibe that some basement restaurants have (thankfully).
Since the space is quite tight, you might have to share a table with other guests during peak hours.
Side Dishes & How to Eat Seowon’s Abalone Porridge
Korean porridge is usually served with side dishes, and Seowon offers three complimentary banchan:
- Stir-fried Green Peppers
- Seasoned Bean Sprouts
- Spicy Marinated Squid
These side dishes add extra texture and flavor to the abalone porridge.
Seowon recommends three ways to enjoy their abalone porridge:
- Eat it as it is to appreciate the natural flavor.
- Mix in the quail egg and sesame seeds for a richer taste.
- Pair it with the side dishes for extra variety.
That said, the porridge itself is quite mild in flavor, so aside from adding side dishes, there’s not a huge difference between the eating styles.
One thoughtful touch—the staff (oppa) kindly offers hair ties to guests with long hair, so you won’t have to worry about your hair dipping into the porridge while eating. Big plus!
✔️ Seowon Abalone Porridge (서원죽집)
地址 서울 중구 퇴계로 141 세룡빌딩 지하1층（141 Toegye-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea｜Google Maps｜NEVER Map）
Google Maps Code HX6P+FX Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours 7:00~17:00
How to Get There Right outside Exit 9 of Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Metro)
Payment Cash only
Seowon Abalone Porridge is a legendary spot in Myeong-dong, perfect for those who want to experience a traditional Korean dish with a rich history and nutritious benefits. If you don’t mind waiting in line, it’s definitely worth trying during your visit to Seoul!
Would you give it a try? Let me know what you think if you do!
I hope everyone visiting Myeong-dong in Seoul gets a chance to try this delicious abalone porridge too! Enjoy your trip and happy eating!
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