Gwanghwamun Korean restaurant lunch with mom: mini tteokbokki at SABAL
In short
SABAL is a modern Korean restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, sitting in the Gyeonghuigungui-achim 3-danji complex between Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun stations. A lunch with mom at SABAL covered gamtae (seaweed) perilla oil rice at 17,000 won, tangtang octopus and deodeok gochujang rice at 17,000 won, and mini tteokbokki at 8,000 won, and the spoon never stopped even without heavy seasoning. SABAL is an easy Korean restaurant to bring parents to near Gyeongbokgung, and a confirmed return visit.
Good to know
- Location
- Unit 142, Gyeonghuigungui-achim 3-danji, 34 Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Gamtae perilla oil rice
- 17,000 won
- Tangtang octopus and deodeok gochujang rice
- 17,000 won
- Mini tteokbokki
- 8,000 won
- Hours
- Daily 11:30–20:50 (break 12:50–17:00, last order 14:10 and 20:10)
- Seating
- Small dining room, outdoor terrace seats available
- Parking
- 2 hours free at the Gyeonghuigungui-achim 3-danji officetel and retail parking lot
- Amenities
- Wi-Fi, separate men's and women's restrooms, high chairs, wheelchair accessible
- Price reference
- ₩17,000 ≈ $12.5 · ₩8,000 ≈ $5.9 (2026-09-16)
as written by the visitor on Sep 16, 2026
SABAL / 142, Gyeonghuigungui-achim Danji 3-danji, 34 Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Seriously recommend this one!! SABAL is nothing like your typical Korean restaurant. Blanched octopus, minari (water celery), a special deodeok gochujang sauce, oysters, mushrooms, perilla powder, black sesame — all sorts of Korean ingredients combined deliciously into standout dishes. Recently the place my mom enjoyed the most, munching away happily.
Where is SABAL? Walking distance from Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun stations
SABAL is near Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun, close to Gyeongbokgung Station and easy to reach from Gwanghwamun Station too. It's in the basement of a building in the Gyeonghuigung complex, so it's easy to find. That said, being near Gwanghwamun means it gets packed with office workers at weekday lunchtime.
SABAL's atmosphere and terrace: do you need a reservation?
SABAL serves up a Gyeongbokgung-area Korean set meal with a clean, calm feel. I expected a Korean restaurant to look old-fashioned inside, but nope — it's actually very modern and sleek. The dining room itself is on the smaller side.
Terrace seats at SABAL on a nice day
But there is outdoor seating! With the weather being so nice lately, the terrace seats are popular. Since SABAL is already a popular spot, I'd definitely recommend booking ahead for weekday peak hours and weekends.
SABAL's menu: the dishes you won't find elsewhere
A neat basic table setting: kimchi, rakkyo (pickled scallion), jangajji (pickles), and pumpkin porridge. Grain tea comes out instead of plain water. A dusting of cinnamon powder over the thin pumpkin porridge — instantly appetite-boosting.
How SABAL's dishes look on the table
The colors of the ingredients in the big bowls are gorgeous. The bowls are wide, deep, and roomy, so you can mix vigorously without a single grain of rice flying out.
Gamtae perilla oil rice, 17,000 won — the dish parents love
Gamtae (seaweed) perilla oil rice, ₩17,000. No harsh seasoning needed — this perilla-scented rice with gamtae keeps you scooping spoonful after spoonful, with that nutty perilla oil aroma drifting up.
Chewy mushrooms, radish pickles, chives, and egg garnish all blend together with the perilla oil. Great texture, and absolutely delicious by grandma-approved standards.
Wrap a bite like this in gamtae and — the mild perilla rice fills up with gamtae's rich flavor!
The side dish of radish pickles. Why is this so good??? Piled on top of the gamtae perilla oil rice, one bite after another...
Tangtang octopus and deodeok gochujang rice, 17,000 won — the bold one
Octopus deodeok gochujang rice, ₩17,000. A beautifully colored bowl of octopus with deodeok (mountain root) gochujang sauce — why is this also so good... geez. If the gamtae perilla oil rice is mild and nutty, this one cranks up the flavor tension. It's not too spicy and has no harsh ingredients, yet your mouth never gets bored.
Chewy octopus that pops with every bite, fresh vegetables, and a sweet-spicy gochujang sauce — all coming together.
Mini tteokbokki, 8,000 won — a small portion, no fried sides
Mini tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), ₩8,000. I can't imagine a world without tteokbokki. SABAL's mini tteokbokki is a small-portion dish served without any fried items.
Chewy rice cakes, a sweet-spicy sauce, and a fresh scallion garnish. Eating it together with the gamtae perilla oil rice makes it disappear fast.
Is SABAL worth it? Verdict on this Gyeongbokgung Korean restaurant
- Korean food that stands apart from the usual menu
- Both flavor and visuals are excellent
- Neat tableware and a modern atmosphere
- Friendly, thoughtful staff
- Easy access from Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun
- Definitely coming back
SABAL hours and parking
- Hours: daily 11:30–20:50 (break time 12:50–17:00, last order 14:10 / 20:10)
- Wifi available
- Gender-separated restrooms
- Parking available (free 2 hours at Gyeonghuigungui-achim Danji 3-danji officetel/commercial parking)
- Baby chair available
- Wheelchair accessible
Where it is
142, Gyeonghuigungui-achim Danji 3-danji, 34 Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 종로구 사직로8길 34 경희궁의아침 3단지 사발 142호
