Incheon Food Guide: 10 Local Favourite Restaurants

Incheon is a true food city where historic local eateries and trendy new town vibes exist side by side. Known as the birthplace of Korean jajangmyeon, it makes for a wonderful weekend drive or day trip from Seoul. Here are 10 local favourite spots ranging from old-school institutions to modern hotspots in Songdo.

1. Buam Galbi (Ganseok-dong)

Operating for over 40 years, this legendary spot is famous for grilled pork raw ribs and long queues.

• Recommended Dishes: Pork raw ribs, fermented seafood fried rice.

• Tips: Staff grill the meat for you. Enjoy it first with salt, then with mustard greens, and finally with chili pickles. Do not miss the fermented seafood fried rice served in an earthenware pot at the end.

2. Sinseung Banjeom (Chinatown)

Continuing the history of Gonghwachun, this popular restaurant in Chinatown is famous for its unique jajangmyeon.

• Recommended Dishes: Uni jajangmyeon (minced meat and vegetable black bean noodles).

• Features: Topped with a semi-fried egg. Pour the sauce over the noodles and pop the yolk for a rich and savoury flavour.

• Waiting Tip: Queues are long on weekends, so register via Tableling or grab a ticket before exploring Chinatown.

3. Hwanghae Haemul Kalguksu (Yeongjongdo)

A must-visit spot after a drive around Yeongjongdo, famous for its extraordinarily generous clam portions.

• Recommended Dishes: Seafood knife-cut noodles (Haemul kalguksu).

• Features: Packed with so many clams that it feels like a bowl of clam soup, featuring a deep, clear dried pollock broth base. Served with fresh geotjeori kimchi and cubed radish kimchi.

4. Sinpo Dakgangjeong (Sinpo Market)

One of the top three sweet and spicy crispy fried chicken spots in the country, located at the entrance of Sinpo International Market.

• Recommended Dishes: Dakgangjeong (large and medium sizes).

• Features: Made with plenty of starch syrup so it gets crispier and chewier as it cools. Spicy Cheongyang green peppers cut through the richness.

5. Yonghwa Banjeom (Bupyeong / Juan)

A pilgrimage site for fried rice and jjamppong enthusiasts.

• Recommended Dishes: Fried rice, spicy chilli jjamppong.

• Features: The rice grains are coated in oil and fried to a fluffy, separate finish with a strong wok hei aroma, topped with a crispy fried egg.

6. Impasto (Songdo)

A fresh pasta specialty restaurant offering a great atmosphere in Songdo International City.

• Recommended Dishes: Baked gnocchi, lasagna.

• The gnocchi features a crispy exterior and chewy interior, complemented by a rich and thick cream sauce. Reservations are essential due to limited seating.

7. Onsen (Songdo Flagship)

A popular tendon specialty restaurant originating from the television show Alley Restaurant.

• Recommended Dishes: Onsen tendon, anago (conger eel) tendon.

• How to eat: Transfer tempura to a small plate, eat the seaweed tempura first, break the onsen tamago (soft-boiled egg) into the rice, and enjoy the tempura as side dishes.

8. Myeongwolji (Jung-gu)

An old-school neighbourhood dining spot serving a single set menu.

• Recommended Dishes: Baeban (set meal) with unlimited kimchi stew.

• Features: Kimchi stew simmers on a gas burner inside the dining room and is available for free refills, accompanied by over 10 varieties of home-style side dishes.

9. Songdo Galmegi (Yeonsu-gu)

A top choice for family gatherings among local residents, with the flagship located in Okgnyeon-dong (old Songdo).

• Recommended Dishes: Traditional galmegi meat (pork skirt meat).

• Features: Sweetly marinated, chewy pork skirt meat grilled over a charcoal brazier with frequent grill changes to prevent burning.

10. Cheongsil Hongsil (Main Branch)

Operating since 1979, this long-standing eatery is famous for handmade dumplings and cold buckwheat noodles.

• Recommended Dishes: Tongmandu (steamed dumplings), momil guksu (plate buckwheat noodles).

• Features: Dumplings feature extremely thin wrappers that melt in your mouth. Enjoy them alongside icy cold buckwheat noodle broth seasoned with grated radish and spring onions.