Sangam gimbap restaurant takeout: Samhyeongje Gimbap

Before an outing to World Cup Park, I visited Samhyeongje Gimbap, Sangam branch to pick up a simple dinner. This time, I chose wasabi tuna yubu gimbap and seasoned shredded squid yubu gimbap.

How do you find the restaurant in Nuritkum Square?

The restaurant is at 396 World Cup buk-ro, unit 1029 on B1 of Nuritkum Square, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The building was larger inside than I expected, so I could see how a first-time visitor might wander around a little.

It is easier to find by entering through the R&D Tower entrance, taking the elevator down to B1, and turning around the corner.

The posted hours during my visit were 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays and public holidays. The last order is at 7:00 PM, and the restaurant is closed every Sunday. Takeout and delivery are also available.

What were the gimbap-making area and information like?

The kitchen is open, so I could watch the gimbap being rolled right in front of me. The cooking area was kept clean, which gave me a good first impression.

Even though it was not mealtime, orders continued coming in while I was there, and the staff kept preparing takeout orders.

A notice on the counter said that dishes containing a lot of braised burdock may occasionally include a tough burdock core. It explained that the staff try to remove them as much as possible during preparation, but will issue a refund if one is found. I appreciated that this possibility was explained in advance.

How do ordering and self-service packing work?

You place and pay for your order yourself at the kiosk.

Finished items were ready on the display shelf. If a menu item was not on the shelf, they rolled it to order and served it right away.

After paying, you pack your order yourself in one of the provided bags. You also take as many pairs of chopsticks, servings of miso soup, and packets of sauce as you need.

There was also a separate self-service cash register for cash payments.

At first, I thought this was a takeout-only place, but there was also a space nearby where you could eat a simple gimbap meal. It looked fine for eating before leaving.

What menu options are available?

There was a wide variety, including original yubu gimbap, wasabi tuna yubu gimbap, assorted yubu gimbap, kimchi yubu gimbap, and crab stick salad yubu gimbap.

Besides gimbap, they also sold tteokbokki and cup noodles. Since the restaurant opens at 7:00 AM on weekdays, I thought it could be convenient for nearby residents or office workers looking for a simple breakfast.

What are the wasabi tuna and seasoned squid yubu gimbap like?

I chose wasabi tuna yubu gimbap and seasoned shredded squid yubu gimbap, along with cider and water.

How strong was the wasabi in the wasabi tuna yubu gimbap?

The savory taste of the tuna was combined with wasabi's sharp, tingling flavor. The wasabi gave a gentle kick that cut through the tuna's richness, making the overall taste clean.

The sweet, savory flavor of the yubu also went well with it. The combination of tuna, wasabi, and yubu stayed with me.

What were the flavor and texture of the seasoned squid yubu gimbap?

The seasoned shredded squid yubu gimbap contained sweet and spicy seasoned shredded squid.

I could taste the squid's chewy texture and sweet, salty umami, along with the yubu's subtle sweetness. It was mildly spicy, and I personally kept reaching for another bite.

How was it as takeout for dinner before visiting the park?

I was looking for a simple dinner to take toward World Cup Park. There were plenty of gimbap options to choose from, and the food was easy to pack and carry. However, Nuritkum Square is large inside, so if you are visiting for the first time, using the R&D Tower entrance as your starting point should help.