Eat Like BTS at Yoojung Sikdang

Back when they were still trainees in Sinsadong, BTS was known for visiting one restaurant above all others. Fast forward to today and Yoojung Sikdang (유정식당) is one of the most famous hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Seoul. Located just a few blocks away from the old Big Hit Entertainment building, this is where the members of BTS used to frequently eat during their trainee and rookie days, sometimes up to 3 times a day.

Obviously the boys have long since grown out of their “trainee shoes,” but the restaurant remains a popular spot. It’s not just favored among ARMY, but locals and office workers in the area as well because to be honest, the food is just that good (and affordable).

What to Order at Yoojung Sikdang

They specialize in traditional Korean cuisine like their signature dish, Yoojung Ssambab (유정쌈밥). It’s probably my favorite thing on the menu and it’s great for sharing. The main dish is a savory stir-fry spicy pork and you eat it as a lettuce wrap with the various side dishes that it comes with. If you run out of side dishes, you can ask for more.

If spicy food isn’t your thing, if you’re dining alone or you simply want to eat like BTS, then the black pork stone bibimbap (흑돼지돌솥 비빔밥) is for you. This is the dish that the members ate the most, so much so that the dish has been renamed “Bangtan bibimbap.”

The Bangtan Queen Mother

The restaurant is run by a super sweet ajumma and her husband. She used to personally feed the boys whenever they came in and would even change up her menu to make sure they were eating well rounded meals. Then, when BTS debuted, she became their #1 fan and biggest supporter. She even transformed the interior of her restaurant in support of the members.

Nowadays, the restaurant is filled from top to bottom with BTS memorabilia, some of which was gifted by visiting ARMY. The space is plastered with posters, banners, dolls, stickers, standees, you name it. Somehow every time I visit, there’s even more merch than there was the time before. It is a BTS utopia.

And if you’re really lucky, and the restaurant isn’t too busy, you might even have a chance to meet the ajumma herself. She loves talking about BTS, meeting ARMY and sometimes even gives out freebies. Trust me when I say this will be the highlight of your trip. It certainly was for my mom.

How to Get to Yoojung Sikdang

Yoojung Sikdang is located in Sinsadong with Sinsa Station on Line no. 3 being the closest subway station to the restaurant. Be warned, there’s a 15 minute hike that awaits you from exit no. 1 leading up and over a hill to get to the restaurant.

• 서울 강남구 도산대로28길 14 (Naver Map)
• 14 Dosan-daero 28-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul (Google Maps)