Korea is the only divided country in the world. Although the land is divided, food has long been unified. Today, I visited a North Korean restaurant, Pyeonggaok(평가옥).

'Pyeonggaok(평가옥)' is a North Korean word for a single story house. It is a simple and neat North Korean restaurant as its meaning. There are several branches directly operaated in office districts such as Seonreung, Yeouido, and Gwanghwamun, mainly in Gangnam. The place I visited today is Samsung-dong branch.

The interior is quite large and it was lunchtime, so many office workers were having lunch. The first floor is already spacious, but there are seats up to the third floor.

Every corner was clean. I went to the rest room to wash my hands before the meal, and I could see that they took care of the rest room carefully.

The menu is showing that they were introduced on 'Wednesday Food Talk(a food-talk TV show)'. Maybe because it's a trusted TV show, I feel their pride.

The price range was quite high, considering the high price in Gangnam. There is explanation, price, picture for single dish, jeongol, jeon, and naengmyeon on the menu, so it's easy to choose.

I ordered 'Eobokjaengban', the signature menu.

The side dishes are in ceramic tableware, not plastic. Overall, it's quite salty, but it has an appetizing taste and texture.

Finally, 'Eobokjaengban' is here.

Eobokjaengban is a hot pot, but it is actually a health food for summer in Pyeongan-do(a North Korean province).

'Eobok' is a Pyeongan-do dialect that refers to the belly part of a cow. It's a dish that was eaten with pouring hot broth on boiled brisket and various parts of meat with meat pancakes and vegetables.

Cold naengmyeon(cold noodle) is a winter food, same goes for Eobokjaengban. Fight fire with fire.

Keep boiling and eating warm in this decent brass bowl. Koreans are people who are sharing affection by sit around and sharing food like this.

This broth, it's meat broth with a strong meat flavor. I feel like I want to bring this broth in a tumbler.

This meat pancake is the most delicious among the dumplings, meat, rice cakes, mushrooms, green onions, bamboo shoots, cabbage, and chili peppers in this Eobokjaengban. If I deep it in the sauce in the middle and chew, the texture is soft and the savory taste is maximized with egg and juicy meat together.

The meat pancake is the best, but the broth is still making other ingredients taste better.

Dumplings are meaty. I recommend to cut dumplings and deep it in the broth.

After you eat the ingredients, you can put noodles. Small Eobokjaengban is enough for two adults.

Each ingredient goes well with the broth, if you eat two or more ingredient together, it is also harmonious. As it's a food that sit around and eat together, I think it's similar to human relationships.

I guess many people are inquiring about opening a chain because their food is luxurious and delicious. It says on the bottom of the business card that they only operate direct stores.

• Food ★★★★☆

All the dishes with broth must be good. However, the price range is a bit high.

• Cleanliness ★★★★☆

Overall neat.

• Service ★★★☆☆

Average. The serving speed is fast as it's quite a large restaurant.

• Ambience ★★★★☆

Impeccable. However, the space between tables is small, so I can hear the next table.

• Accessibility ★★★☆☆

Walk 7 minutes from exit 10 of Sunneung station on line 2, Bundang line. 2,000 won for valet parking.

• Open Hours: 11:00~22:00 (closed on holidays)

• Recommend for 1~4 person
• Recommended menu: Eobokjaengban, Naengmyeon

• Value: From early 10,000 won

• Amenities: Reservation

Address: 37 Samseong-ro 95-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul