Jinmi Sikdang
Jinmi Sikdang (Gongdeok, Seoul), a Michelin-Recognized Spot in Seoul for outstanding Ganjang-gejang (Soy Sauce Marinated Crab).
It’s a place my family has been visiting regularly for years — always delicious, always reliable.
Reservations are only accepted by phone, and during peak hours or weekends, it’s nearly impossible to get a seat without one. Once they run out of their daily batch of Crab, the restaurant closes.
They do offer takeout (₩40,000), but I recommend dining in. The takeout version doesn’t include their tasty side dishes, steamed egg, or soup, which are part of what makes the experience special.
Since they prepare the gejang based on the number of reserved guests, everything is already set on the table when you arrive.
It used to be hard to order more Gejang once seated, though I’m not sure if that’s still the case now. (Extra serving costs ₩40,000)
Side Dishes
You’ll find familiar yet comforting side dishes, including salted octopus, stir-fried anchovies, stir-fried mushrooms, and of course, the kimchi. And let’s not forget the essential roasted seaweed, which pairs perfectly with the Gejang.
There’s also soybean sprouts, acorn jelly, seasoned zucchini, and gamtae (a delicate seaweed). The flavors are all very mild because they’re meant to complement the bold flavor of the Gejang.
Ganjang-gejang (Soy Sauce Marinated Crab) 45,000 won (per person)
Along with your Gejang, each table is served a steamed egg and a pot of crab soup.
What makes Jinmi Sikdang’s gejang so special is its commitment to quality. They don’t use out-of-season, frozen crabs from the market. Instead, they purchase fresh crabs from Korea’s west coast in bulk during the peak seasons of June and December, flash-freeze them, and then prepare gejang daily at the restaurant, aging it for three days before serving. That’s likely the secret behind its consistent flavor and quality.
The steamed egg and crab soup arrives at the table piping hot, with steam rising invitingly. The egg is soft and fluffy yet has just enough structure, the perfect match for the salty-sweet richness of the gejang.
The crab soup includes a generous amount of kimchi, giving it a tangy, spicy depth.
Finally, it’s time for the main event, the Gangjang-Gejang!
Each table is stocked with plastic gloves so you can dive right in without hesitation.
Even before taking a bite, you can see how plump and full the crab is, packed with meat and roe. You barely need to squeeze it; it’s overflowing. It already feels delicious just looking at it.
Take one whole piece of crab, pick out the meat, pile it on top of rice, wrap it in gamtae (seaweed), and take a big bite. There’s absolutely no fishy taste, it’s so clean and fresh that you might forget you’re eating raw crab.
Once you’ve finished the crab meat, the finale is the crab shell. Scoop in a bit of rice, pour in some soy sauce marinade, and mix it all together. The crab roe is incredibly rich and creamy, the perfect ending.
Address : 186-6 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Phone : +82-2-3211-4468
Operation Hours : Monday-Sunday : 12:00 - 20:00 (Break time 15:30-17: 00)
Instagram : Check out more photos
Source : https://blog.naver.com/agadaaa/223713275765
Writer : agadaaa
Special thanks to agadaaa
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