Gimbap restaurant in Mapo for spicy pepper lunch: Samhyeongje Gimbap

While looking for somewhere to have lunch alone in Sangam, I went to Samhyeongje Gimbap, Sangam branch (삼형제김밥 상암점). It is a takeout-focused shop in the basement of Nuritkum Square, directly in front of MBC. I chose the Eolkeun-i Gochu gimbap and ate it at a small table beside the shop.

How do you find the shop in Nuritkum Square?

The address is Unit 1029, B1, Nuritkum Square, 396 World Cup buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is listed as 785 m from Exit 1 of Susaek Station. I took the outdoor escalator down to the basement.

After coming down, I found a standing signboard and a building directory map nearby.

Samhyeongje Gimbap is in Zone A. As you head toward the Digital Pavilion and R&D Tower, the shop appears on the left.

What kinds of gimbap are available, and how does takeout work?

There were 12 kinds of gimbap when I visited: Original, Cheese, Crab Stick Salad, Wasabi Tuna, Tuna, Eolkeun-i Gochu, Assorted, Kimchi Tuna, Spicy Fish Cake, Ham and Crab Stick, Kimchi, and Mini Gimbap.

I paid directly at the kiosk. The gimbap was pre-packed, so after paying, I simply put the gimbap and chopsticks into one of the plastic bags provided.

They also sold tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), cup noodles, and drinks in addition to gimbap.

How spicy and thick is the Eolkeun-i Gochu gimbap?

Because I like Cheongyang chili peppers, I chose the Eolkeun-i Gochu gimbap. I was also curious about the Spicy Fish Cake and Yubu gimbap, but it had two spicy-level markers. I went with the Eolkeun-i Gochu gimbap, which had one.

To me, it was more pungent than spicy. I think it would suit people who enjoy the flavor of Cheongyang chili peppers.

I was pleased with how thick the gimbap was. Looking inside, I could see pieces of pepper in the filling.

Is there somewhere to eat alone without taking it out?

I had originally planned to take it to my company's break area. But there was a small table beside the shop, so I ate there instead. It is along a walkway where people pass by, which may feel a little exposed, but I was planning to eat quickly and return, so I ate comfortably while looking at my phone.

From what I saw, most customers took their food out. I felt it would be useful for picking up lunch or a simple dinner from a nearby office. There was a good variety of gimbap, so I might choose something different next time.

In the original post, I gave both taste and price 4 out of 5, and friendliness and the variety of gimbap options 5 out of 5 each. I rated the atmosphere and interior 2 out of 5. I was satisfied with the gimbap's flavor and thickness, but the space for staying to eat was a drawback.

What are the opening hours and closing day?

The hours listed when the original post was written were 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays, with last orders at 7:00 PM. On Saturdays, the listed hours were 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with last orders at 2:00 PM. It was listed as closed every Sunday.