Famous Incheon Restaurants Featured on K-Drama and TV Shows

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Incheon food

Travelling through South Korea often means tracing the footsteps of beloved television moments. Incheon, with its rich history and vibrant food scene, houses several legendary eateries that have captured the hearts of television producers and local foodies alike. From nostalgic Western-style diners featured in popular Korean dramas to hidden local haunts praised by famous variety show hosts, these four spots offer a memorable taste of authentic regional culinary heritage.

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Retro Western-Style Cutlets at England Gyeongyangsik

Operating since 1981, England Gyeongyangsik is considered a holy grail for pork cutlet enthusiasts. The retro establishment gained immense fame as the filming location for the family dining scene in the acclaimed drama *Reply 1988*. It was also awarded first place in the pork cutlet episode of *Baek Jong-won's Top 3 Chef King* and featured on *You Quiz on the Block*, where host Yoo Jae-suk praised the exceptional tenderness of the meat.

Stepping through the doors immediately transports diners back to the 1980s, an era when Western-style pork cutlets were regarded as the ultimate dining out treat. The interior retains its classic charm with a European-style fountain in the middle of the main hall, a retro DJ booth stocked with LP records, and comfortable vintage brown sofas.

Culinary Traditions and Signature Dishes

Korean Gyeongyangsik cutlets are made by tenderising pork flat with a mallet before coating it in breadcrumbs and deep-frying to golden perfection. This traditional pounding technique expands the cutlet into a massive portion. England Gyeongyangsik strictly adheres to its 44-year-old original recipe. The kitchen uses clean pork sourced from Gangwon Province, which undergoes a precise seasoning and 72-hour ageing process to ensure maximum tenderness and eliminate any gamey flavor.

* Old-Fashioned Gyeongyangsik Pork Cutlet 1981: Famous for its overwhelming size—roughly equivalent to two adult palms—served with a generous pour of rich, sweet sauce. The freshly fried crust delivers a crisp crunch with every bite.

* Original Gyeongyangsik Cheese Cutlet: Features the signature large pork cutlet blanketed beneath a thick layer of melted natural cheese.

* Unlimited Self-Service Bar: Guests can enjoy unlimited refills of soup, fresh salad, coffee, and soft drinks from the self-bar at no extra charge.

Nourishing Beef Tendon Soup at Incheon-jib

For 26 years, Incheon-jib has specialized in *seuji-tang* (beef tendon soup) crafted with rich ox bone broth. Tendon refers to the connective tissue attached to beef shank—a collagen-packed delicacy offering a delightfully chewy texture similar to beef knee joint (*dogani*). Featured on the popular broadcast program *Jun Hyun-moo Plan*, the venue is renowned for its unpretentious, home-style atmosphere.

Each cattle yields only about 3 kg of tendon, making it a rare ingredient that requires painstaking preparation. The kitchen simmers the tendon for long hours and carefully skims off fat after cooling. Fresh ox bone broth is brewed daily, infused with jujubes and Korean ginseng, and served alongside handmade *sujebi* (hand-torn wheat flakes).

Twin Delicacies of Beef Tendon

* Seuji-tang (Beef Tendon Soup): Offers a tender, gelatinous texture akin to savory pudding in a deeply comforting broth. The restaurant recommends dipping the tendon pieces into the accompanying sauce first before eating to enjoy the optimal texture. Pair a spoon of broth, hand-torn flakes, and kimchi for a complete mouthful.

* Seuji-muchim (Seasoned Beef Tendon): Tossed in aromatic sesame oil freshly pressed from a traditional mill, presenting a fragrant, savory alternative to the soup version.

Classic Noodle Heritage at Maetdol Kalguksu

Situated in the historic Dong-Incheon area, Maetdol Kalguksu has operated in the same spot for four decades since opening in the 1980s. Featured on *My Little Old Boy* and *The Alumni's Food Cart*, the walls of this iconic eatery are lined with framed media features and celebrity signatures, including popular creator Tzuyang.

The restaurant is tucked away in the Sinpo-dong Kalguksu Alley. While it lacks a grand exterior sign, visitors can easily spot the building by its nostalgic folk-style mural paintings. The interior remains rustic and simple, retaining vintage tables and menus that reflect its long history.

Distinctive Noodle Offerings

* Kalguksu (Hand-Cut Noodle Soup): The signature element of this dish is its unique topping of crispy batter flakes—similar to the crunchy coating of fried chicken. Originally added years ago to make the meal more filling for local market workers by acquiring crispy batter bits from a nearby chicken shop, it became the shop's trademark style. The clean anchovy broth balances the crispy texture, while mixing in the red pepper paste (*dadaegi*) adds a pleasant spicy kick.

* Jjoolmyeon (Spicy Chewy Noodles): Combines springy noodles, finely shredded fresh vegetables, and a boiled egg, brought together by an addictive, house-made spicy sauce.

Unique Anchovy Specialities at Bada Reul Ssamhada

Located a 15-minute walk from the Songdo Central Park Komarine East Boathouse, Bada Reul Ssamhada is a specialized eatery dedicated to anchovy dishes. While anchovies are commonly served as small side dishes in Korean cuisine, this restaurant showcases the ingredient in diverse preparations including stone-plate braises, grilled dishes, and spicy raw salad. To maintain top freshness, flash-frozen anchovies are shipped directly every two days from Mijo Port in Namhae, South Korea's premier anchovy region.

Featured on *The Alumni's Food Cart*, the establishment boasts a spacious, modern interior reminiscent of an upscale Japanese restaurant, making it ideal for family gatherings or group dining.

Featured Anchovy Dishes

* Melchi Dolpan Ssambap (Anchovy Stone-Plate Wrap Rice): Served sizzling on a hot stone plate. The savoury, spicy sauce deepens in flavour as it reduces. Guests are encouraged to enjoy this in three stages: first as a soup, then wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves with rice as the sauce thickens, and finally mixed directly into the rice like a seasoned soybean paste.

* Melchi Gu-i Ssambap (Grilled Anchovy Wrap Rice): Large anchovies are flash-fried over high heat with olive oil, transforming the fish into a rich, aromatic specialty.

Practical Tips

England Gyeongyangsik

* Address: 2F, Haeseong Building, 7 Yeuhyeon-ro 90beon-gil, Jemulpo-gu, Incheon

* Phone: 032-772-7266

* Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11:30–20:30 (Break time 16:00–17:00). Closed Mondays.

Incheon-jib

* Address: 17 Gyeongin-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon

* Phone: 032-887-0888

* Operating Hours: Thursday to Tuesday 12:00–22:00. Closed Wednesdays.

Maetdol Kalguksu

* Address: 32-16 Sinpo-ro, Jemulpo-gu, Incheon

* Phone: 032-762-5930

* Operating Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday 10:30–19:20 (Break time 15:00–15:30); Saturday to Sunday 10:30–19:20 (Break time 15:30–16:30). Closed Tuesdays.

* Note: Located a 2-minute walk from Sinpo International Market.