Today let’s take a look at some favorite and unique ddeokbokki shops around Seoul



Where to Eat Ddeokbokki in Seoul today
Today there are thousands of ddeokbokki restaurants and eateries all across Seoul offering this popular dish. Its versatility to be eaten as a meal or as a street snack is part of its mainstream appeal and questions over where the best ddeokbokki is found often leads to heated debate among friends and family members. As much of the “mainstream” ddeokbokki we know today is considered rooted in Seoul and the vicinity, here are some popular, long-running ddeokbokki institutions in the capital, each with their own unique appeal.

1. “M” Ddeokbokki in Sindang-dong, Junggu
The ‘grandmother’ of ddeokbokki, “M Ddeokbokki” is attributed with creating the first spicy-sweet variation of ddeokbokki that is most commonly known today. The ddeokbokki is cooked at your table with the addition of ingredients such as ramen noodles, fish cakes, mandu, and more to create a delicious bubbling concoction. And though the owner herself unfortunately passed away in 2011, her recipe was passed on to her sons and today her first, second, third, and fifth sons all operate their own “M Ddeokbokki” within the same vicinity, using her tried and true recipe.

2. Wonjo “H” Ddeokbokki in Tongin-dong, Jongno-gu
For a different take on ddeokbokki with a long history, head to Tong-in Market just west of Gyeongbokgung Palace where you can try gireum ddeokbokki. No spoons are required here as there’s no soup and instead rice cakes are cooked on a hot metal pan with just oil and your choice of either soy sauce or red pepper flakes to create this simple snack. You won’t find any fish cakes, vegetables, or even gochujang in the ddeokbokki here, which catches many who are accustomed to the thick soupy ddeokbokki off guard. On first taste, the gireum ddeokbokki may seem rather plain but there’s a unique merit to it that makes you think of it afterwards- as attested by the fact the place has been in operation since the 70s.

3. “J” Ddeokbokki in Sindang-dong, Jung-gu
The ddeokbokki here breaks all stereotypes that ddeokbokki must come in red. Here, the famed ddeokbokk is a brownish-black that reminds one of the popular jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles). Sweet, savory, and salty, the ddeokbokki here is often wrongly assumed to be based on chunjang, which is the base for jjajangmyeon but no chunjang goes into the dish here. Instead, the homemade gochujang is mixed with soy sauce to create this uniquely flavored ddeokbokki. The rice cakes here are also different in that they are made with both rice and flour to create extra soft rice cakes that absorbs the creative sauce better.

4. “G” Ddeokbokki in Munjeongdong, Songpa-gu

On the opposite end of the spectrum from gireum ddeokbokki, “G” Ddeokbokki is known for their extra soupy ddeokbokki which particularly has fervent fans from those who may have had a little too much soju the night before. Only peeks of the fish cakes and rice cakes poke out from the thick red soup which patrons love to slurp down.
The secret in the highly regarded “soup” comes from dried radish strips which are boiled and added to the ddeokbokki to make an extra dimensional soup. The extra liquid makes it a perfect sauce and/or dip for other items on the menu that pair well such as crispy fried mandu, soondae, and fish cakes.

Make Your Own Ddeokbokki!

If you’re feeling up for a bit of challenge, making ddeokbokki at home isn’t so difficult especially if you have a lot of Korean ingredients on hand. Many Korean marts also carry ddeokbokki “kits” that contains everything you need, including the sauce. The best part of making it at home is that you can adjust the spice levels as well as add and omit ingredients to your liking. From ramen noodles and sausages to chopped vegetables and hard boiled eggs, just about anything is fair game to join your pot of ddeokbokki. Try having a ddeokbokki party for you and some friends at home!