More than the ambience, Hongdae Joseon Dynasty delights customers with satisfying set meals and makgeolli. Check out the restaurant’s menu and reviews here.
Highlights
- Joseon Dynasty in Hongdae, also known as Joseon Sidae (조선시대), delights local and international diners with their vibrant atmosphere.
- You can visit the restaurant for lunch and try their Jeonju Bibimbap or their Korean Beef Sashimi Bibimbap.
- If you’re looking to have a fun weekend, you and your friends can feast on Joseon Sidae’s Jeon Set with makgeolli.
- To get a discount on Hongdae Joseon Dynasty’s set meals and lunch specials, book here!
Explore more: 5 Best Restaurants in Hongdae That Command Locals’ Attention
5 Things That Make Hongdae Joseon Dynasty Restaurant a Hit
But first, what’s in the name? Joseon Dynasty was a Korean kingdom that lasted for nearly 500 years. A huge part of the modern Korea that we know of, specifically the language, norms, and attitudes, are attributed to this lineage. These days, in spite of the fact that the country has advanced in so many aspects, the dynasty’s spirit is still very much alive in places like Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, as well as the fun resto-bar that bears its name.
Here’s what you can expect when you visit the Joseon Dynasty restaurant in Hongdae:
1. The Joseon-inspired dining room
While it is not the only restaurant in Korea that has a historical motif, Joseon Dynasty truly stands out if you consider its location: Hongdae. Typically referred to as a hipster hangout place, this university area is filled with modern pubs, camper-friendly cafes, and trendy stores — none of which can easily be associated with Joseon as an era.
The contrast between the locale and the themed restaurant will be so apparent, and you’ll see it in the way that they have Giwa roof tiles, stone blocks, and wooden floors installed in the dining room. You will get the feeling that you’re inside a traditional Korean house or hanok (and to some extent, a hanok village), so if you or someone you know are visiting Korea for the first time, you should check out Joseon Dynasty in Hongdae for an authentic traditional experience.
2. Immersive and enriching sections
More than the decor, this restaurant and bar in Hongdae effectively illustrates the social strata of the Joseon period — a plus to those of us who want to understand the country’s history. They have dining areas that fit the dynasty’s royalties, middle class, and the commoners, which all come with artifacts that diners will enjoy. (They even have a hanbok and other costumes that you can try for free!)
Learn more about this immersive experience by watching this video of the restaurant:
3. Makgeolli & Set Meals
Now let’s move on to the edible stuff! The third thing that makes Hongdae Joseon Dynasty quite popular even among locals is their makgeolli. Here they serve ten different flavors, which include lemon and strawberry. You can enjoy the Korean drink with the restaurant’s food specialties, like rice cakes, fritters, savory Korean pancakes, chicken, or beef sashimi. Check out our list of Hongdae Joseon Dynasty’s menu sets and price below:
4. Hongdae Joseon Dynasty’s Lunch Specials
For lunch, the restaurant has at least 5 specials, which consist of bibimbap and bulgogi rice. However, what we’d recommend is the Jeonju Bibimbap, as pictured below. Aside from the flavor that’s spot on, the dish is actually most fitting to the experience since the founder of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean dish bibimbap are both from Jeonju! (If you want to visit Jeonju, which was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2012, consider this bus tour!)
5. K-drama worthy
If you’ve seen the Korean drama Memories of the Alhambra, you might have spotted Hongdae Joseon Dynasty restaurant in episodes 13 and 14! Check out the clip below:
How to Book This Joseon Restaurant in Hongdae
WAUG offers discounts on the resto-pub’s lunch specials and set meals! If you haven’t used our app before, here are the steps to book:
- Sign up for an account here.
- Proceed to the Joseon Dynasty booking page here.
- Provide the date and other activity booking information.
- Check out using your Visa, Mastercard, or AMEX.
- Wait for your voucher.
When your transaction goes through, we’ll send you your Hongdae Joseon Dynasty voucher via the app, so make sure to download WAUG here!
Address & Hours
Hongdae Joseon Dynasty restaurant is located at B1 Floor, 44, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. They are open 24/7.
