Samgakji Daegutang Alley서울 삼각지 대구탕 골목

About

For more than 30 years, the smell of simmering cod soup has filled the air in Samgakji. Daegutang, regarded as one of the finest hangover soups, first took root here in 1979, and to this day four daegutang restaurants do a thriving business around the Woori Bank branch in Samgakji. The soup's deep, rich broth has earned a loyal following, mostly older diners rather than young people. Many come in to cure a hangover from the night before, and small groups often gather after hiking or exercising to enjoy daegutang with soju. Older regulars, won over by the depth of the broth, frequently hold their get-togethers at these restaurants as well. Regulars of Samgakji Daegutang Alley seek out the place that suits their taste, sharing warm conversation and building friendships along the way. Take Exit 14 of Samgakji Station on Subway Line 6 or Exit 1 on Line 4 and you will find Woori Bank, with Pyeongyangjip (a restaurant) in front of it. In the back alley behind Pyeongyangjip are Won Daegutang and Jawon Daegutang, the longest-running restaurants here. At the entrance to that alley is Cham Daegutang. Sechang Daegutang is on the left side of the road that runs behind Woori Bank. The alley owes its fame entirely to soldiers. With the Army Headquarters and many military personnel once based around Samgakji, soldiers became the main regulars, and as they introduced the soup to colleagues gathering from all over the country, word of it spread nationwide. Because soldiers are often transferred or dispatched elsewhere, it is said that regulars returning after a long time away would stop for a bowl of Samgakji daegutang before reporting back to their units. Today, retired soldiers sometimes come here hand in hand with their grandchildren to share the taste. Since the cod itself gives off a refreshing, deep flavor, no separate stock is used, though at one time the broth was made with frozen pollock. In this alley you can try both a red, spicy version cooked with bean sprouts and water dropwort, and a version with clear broth.