# Kalguksu restaurant on Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu: soybean bibim noodles - By Nari B. (https://superchart.com/en/@apgujeong-cupboard/) - Written Sep 7, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jung-gu, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@apgujeong-cupboard/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@apgujeong-cupboard/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/index.md) ## In short Tanbaek is a kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) restaurant on Jeongdong-gil, near Deoksugung Palace's stone wall path in Jung-gu, Seoul. A weekend visit at 3pm found the place packed, with walk-ins cut off after 3pm and only reservations accepted from then on; the summer soybean bibim noodles came back with a thick, creamy bean sauce and sweet melon, finished down to the last drop. Reservations are essential for weekend visits to Tanbaek. ## Good to know - **Location**: 37 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Exit 12, City Hall Station, 500m/5min along the stone wall path left of Deoksugung, ivory building 2nd floor left of Jeongdong Theater) - **Seating**: 17 bar seats on 1st floor, 32 table seats on 2nd floor, group seating up to 12 (larger groups split across tables) - **Reservations**: Available via Naver and Catch Table; walk-ins stop after 3pm on weekends - **Parking**: Ewha Jeongdong Building Parking ₩4,000/hr (07:00-22:00) / Kakao T Jeongdong Parking ₩5,000/hr (24hr) / Ewha Girls' High School paid parking ₩6,000/hr (06:00-22:00) - **Makgeolli by the glass**: ₩2,500 *as written by the visitor on Sep 7, 2026* ## Back again to Tanbaek on Deoksugung's stone wall path Today I went back to Tanbaek, a repeat favorite on Deoksugung's stone wall path!! The name 'Tanbaek' (탄백) combines characters meaning 'flat/generous' and 'white/to speak plainly' — together meaning 'to speak honestly, without hiding anything.' It reflects the restaurant's intention to serve honest food made with clean, good ingredients. ![Exterior of Tanbaek on Jeongdong-gil with the Chinese-character sign visible](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-01-1mo74-900.webp) Tanbaek opened on August 15, 2024, Korea's Liberation Day, on Jeongdong-gil, said to be Seoul's most beautiful street. Jeongdong, where Jeongdong-gil is located, sits at the heart of Seoul on the site of a former royal detached palace from the Joseon dynasty — a special place where history and culture still breathe. After the port opening in the late 19th century brought in Western culture, the area became a center of modern (enlightenment-era) culture. Deoksugung Palace, the former Russian Legation, the Seoul Museum of Art, Jeongdong First Methodist Church, Jungmyeongjeon, and Ewha Hakdang all preserve traces of that era's modern architecture, blending East and West beautifully. ## Walk-ins cut off after 3pm on weekends There's a lot to see nearby, so I visited at 3pm on a weekend, and it was genuinely packed!! After 3pm they stop taking walk-ins and only serve reservation guests. I'd recommend booking ahead if you're going on a weekend. ![Entrance of Tanbaek crowded with weekend afternoon guests](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-02-12f3e-900.webp) ### Directions, parking, and seating info - From Exit 12 of City Hall Station, walk 500m (about 5 minutes) along the stone wall path to the left of Deoksugung Palace; it's the ivory building with a Chinese-character sign on the 2nd floor, left of Jeongdong Theater. - Parking is available about 250m away at 1. Ewha Jeongdong Building Parking (₩4,000/hr, 07:00-22:00), 2. Kakao T Jeongdong Parking (formerly GS Times Jeongdong private parking, ₩5,000/hr, 24 hours), or 3. Ewha Girls' High School paid parking about 150m away (₩6,000/hr, 06:00-22:00). - Seating is 17 bar seats on the 1st floor and 32 table seats on the 2nd floor, with group seating up to 12; larger groups are split across separate tables. - Reservations can be made through Naver and Catch Table. ![Interior stairway leading up to Tanbaek's 2nd floor](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-03-bgap8-900.webp) ## One menu, one mission: kalguksu The menu keeps it simple — this place bets everything on kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup). ![Tanbaek's menu board focused on kalguksu dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-04-jztcf-900.webp) Makgeolli (Korean rice wine) by the glass is also sold, for ₩2,500. ![Tanbaek's drink menu listing makgeolli by the glass](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-05-rq81d-900.webp) As soon as we sat down, they brought kimchi and cold water. ![Kimchi and water served right after being seated](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-06-1y85s-900.webp) ![Tanbaek's kimchi served in white porcelain](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-07-1k3md-900.webp) We came back specifically for the summer soybean bibim noodles (kong bibim myeon), which we enjoyed so much last time. I hope they never take it off the menu~~!!! Inside, they kept simmering broth in a big pot the whole time, haha. ![Kitchen scene with broth simmering in a large pot](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-08-vomqt-900.webp) ![Tanbaek's open kitchen simmering broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-09-b4pob-900.webp) ## A space with a view of Jeongdong-gil I loved that you could see Jeongdong-gil from inside the restaurant. ![Seating at Tanbaek with a view of Jeongdong-gil through the window](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-10-1atbm-900.webp) Every single piece of tableware here is so stylish. ![Tableware set on the table at Tanbaek](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-11-11wvb-900.webp) ![Table setting decorated with white porcelain and small objects at Tanbaek](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-12-e8xbx-900.webp) The story of Tanbaek's space began when, during demolition work for the design, a fire-charred wooden beam was discovered in the original structure. Wanting to preserve that charred beauty, they named the restaurant 'Tanbaek,' using the character for 'burnt/charred' (탄), and built the brand concept around it. Every corner of the restaurant was created together with various Korean craftspeople: a lacquered bar table; installation lighting resembling kalguksu noodle strands by artist Seo Hee-su; hanji (traditional paper) lacquered dozens of times over by paper artisan Kim Seung-hu; white porcelain by ceramic artist Jung Jae-ho that beautifully presents Tanbaek's food; ramie mobiles and patchwork wrapping cloths by artist Jung Su-jung; and antique Joseon-era pieces filling every corner, all coming together to decorate the space beautifully. ![Interior of Tanbaek featuring craft pieces and antique objects](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-13-1ev7c-900.webp) For the beef kalguksu, pepper and chili paste are set out on the table so you can season it midway through. ![Pepper and chili paste set out on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-14-1o1i7-1200.webp) ## The thick soybean bibim noodles: how was it? We got the thick soybean bibim noodles! ![Tanbaek's soybean bibim noodles topped with soybean cream](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-15-ye68f-900.webp) The noodles were really chewy, topped with a thick soybean cream, perilla oil, black sesame and perilla powder, and melon. ![Soybean bibim noodles topped with black sesame, perilla powder, and melon](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-16-v7mc0-900.webp) ![Close-up of the thick soybean cream](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-17-csbm2-900.webp) I genuinely don't know how they make that soybean cream so thick and delicious, ugh. ![Noodles lifted up from the soybean bibim noodles](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-18-1ip3a-900.webp) ![Chewy noodles being mixed into the soybean cream](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-19-1ha15-900.webp) Mix it all together and eat it with the crisp, sweet melon — it's a flavor you won't forget. ![A bite of soybean bibim noodles with melon](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-20-latrg-900.webp) True to a kalguksu specialist, the kimchi is also excellent. ![Empty bowl of soybean bibim noodles finished down to the sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles-21-1iek4-900.webp) And just like that, we finished off every last bit of sauce — an empty bowl~!!! If you're visiting Jeongdong-gil, I highly recommend Tanbaek. ## Where it is - Tanbaek (탄백) - 37 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 중구 정동길 37 - 37.5659578, 126.9724678 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%ED%83%84%EB%B0%B1/@37.5659578,126.9724678,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@apgujeong-cupboard/tanbaek-jeongdong-gil-weekend-reservation-bean-noodles/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt