# Spicy kimchi dumplings and baby chairs on Jeongdong-gil: Tanbaek

- By Ara Moon (https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-lunch-stool/)
- Written Sep 9, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Jung-gu, Seoul
- Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-lunch-stool/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@seoul-lunch-stool/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/index.md)

## In short

Tanbaek is a kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) Korean restaurant on Jeongdong-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul, just off the Deoksugung stone wall path. After a museum visit, the writer wandered in and ordered gom-kalguksu (beef bone broth noodles) with two kimchi dumplings — the dumplings were nose-runningly spicy, but the broth turned out cleaner and lighter than expected, and the bowl was finished to the last drop. With QR pre-ordering, pay-on-exit, and baby chairs on hand, Tanbaek works equally well for a solo lunch or a family outing.

## Good to know

- **Kalguksu menu**: Gom-kalguksu (beef broth), yukgaejang-kalguksu (spicy beef), kong-kalguksu (soybean broth), warm pork jowl
- **Extra menu**: Seasoned raw skate salad, kimchi dumplings, mushroom rice (sold out on visit)
- **Ordering**: Pre-order via QR code, pay when leaving
- **Seating**: 1st-floor bar table and window seats, plus a 2nd floor
- **With kids**: Baby chairs available, space to hang coats
- **On the table**: Water and kimchi served on sitting down

*as written by the visitor on Sep 9, 2026*

![First photo from a visit to Tanbaek, a kalguksu restaurant on Jeongdong-gil](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-01-w2mrf-900.webp)

![A trip to the Deoksugung Museum followed by a meal at Tanbaek](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-02-1npij-1200.webp)

I heard museum admission was free during Art Week, so I went to the Deoksugung Museum in the first week of September. It was crowded — partly because of the free entry that week, and partly because there are so many great exhibitions in Seoul this fall — so I ended up wandering around for over an hour, and by the time I came out I was starting to get hungry.

![The Deoksugung stone wall path and the scenery along Jeongdong-gil](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-03-16vs2-900.webp)

## Wandering into a kalguksu spot on Jeongdong-gil near the Deoksugung stone wall path

I thought about just heading home, but instead walked along the Deoksugung stone wall path toward Jeongdong-gil. It was well past 1pm, but through the window of one place I could see people happily eating noodles. This has to be a good Deoksugung restaurant, I thought, and went in. The name was Tanbaek.

![Tanbaek's exterior on Jeongdong-gil with diners visible through the window](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-04-nzohf-900.webp)

I was drawn in as if hypnotized. Once I saw the menu, it was exactly what I felt like eating that day, so I didn't hesitate. Gom-kalguksu, yukgaejang-kalguksu, warm pork jowl, kong-kalguksu — I decided to go with the gom-kalguksu and stepped inside.

![The kalguksu menu posted at Tanbaek's entrance](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-05-tzug4-900.webp)

Inside, the space was cleaner than I expected, with a second floor as well. There were quite a few people who'd made reservations or were waiting for a seat to open up.

![Tanbaek's interior, which spans two floors](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-06-r0io5-900.webp)

![Neatly arranged seating in Tanbaek's dining hall](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-07-156sa-900.webp)

## Tanbaek's ordering system: QR pre-order, pay when you leave

The ordering system was unusual — you pre-order via QR code and pay when you leave. As soon as I sat down they brought water and kimchi, so I poured myself a glass, then scanned the QR code to order.

![Water and kimchi served first at the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-08-osw5n-900.webp)

Here's the paper menu. There were extras like seasoned raw skate salad, kimchi dumplings, and mushroom rice, so you could keep your mouth entertained while eating. I wanted the mushroom rice, but it was sold out, so after some back-and-forth I went with the kimchi dumplings instead — the seasoned skate salad seemed like it would be a bit much to finish alone.

![Tanbaek's paper menu showing kalguksu and extra dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-09-igxxy-900.webp)

Here's what ordering at this Deoksugung restaurant looks like — I screenshotted the order that came up after scanning the QR code. You check everything against the pictures like this, then hit order and you're done!

![Screenshot of the QR pre-order screen](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-10-1ozl0-900.webp)

Since I was dining alone that day, I ordered one gom-kalguksu and two kimchi dumplings.

![Order details for gom-kalguksu and kimchi dumplings](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-11-w1r4t-900.webp)

## The atmosphere from the 1st-floor bar table

I sat at the bar table on the first floor while I waited for my food. The way dishes were served, plus the neatly arranged bottles, glasses, and bowls, made for nice scenery while waiting.

![Bottles and bowls seen from the 1st-floor bar table](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-12-14bxt-900.webp)

The lights overhead looked like white cloth wrapped around in bunches, so instead of direct glare, the lighting felt naturally diffused in patches.

![Tanbaek's lighting, wrapped as if in white cloth](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-13-88zj5-900.webp)

### Baby chairs and space to hang coats

There are baby chairs on hand and space to hang up coats. I actually first found out about this place through a post from someone who'd been to the museum with their baby and then blogged about where they ate afterward — Tanbaek was the place they recommended. Having baby chairs in a space you wouldn't expect them is great news for parents traveling with young kids. If you're visiting with a baby old enough for a high chair, I'd recommend grabbing a corner seat by the window and setting up there comfortably.

![A window corner with a baby chair and space to hang coats](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-14-19nv9-900.webp)

## The kimchi dumplings were spicy enough to make my nose run

The food arrives! The two kimchi dumplings came out before the gom-kalguksu. But these dumplings turned out to be a bit of an ambush for me. I'm not great with spicy food, and the moment I took a bite, my nose started running from the heat. Looking around at the other tables, though, everyone seemed to be enjoying them with satisfied expressions — so for people who love spicy food, this dish is probably a perfect match.

![Two spicy kimchi dumplings served first](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-15-x7a5d-900.webp)

## The gom-kalguksu broth looked rich but tasted clean

Next came the gom-kalguksu! It's a kalguksu made with a gomtang (bone broth)-style base, so I expected the broth to be heavy, but once I actually tried a spoonful, it was much cleaner and lighter than I'd imagined. There was no salty or overly strong aftertaste to worry about, so I finished the broth completely. The noodles were soft and chewy — exactly my type.

![A solo meal of gom-kalguksu and kimchi dumplings](https://img.superchart.com/images/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek/jeongdong-gil-kimchi-mandu-gomkalguksu-tanbaek-16-1y1dv-900.webp)

My own neat little meal! I snapped a photo to show off how well I can eat alone.

I wandered in by chance while walking along Jeongdong-gil, and it turned out to be an unexpectedly satisfying meal. Next time I'll come with someone who can handle spicy food and share the dumplings.

Chorolop! Enjoy your meals, everyone!

## 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

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