Seowonjuk Seowonjuk서원瑞源ソウォン

Seasoned with nothing but black and white sesame, the special abalone porridge (teuk jeonbok-juk) stays nutty without covering the abalone's delicate aroma, and the large slices stay pleasantly chewy. The shrimp porridge comes topped with plump shrimp and an egg yolk, which you can stir in or eat as is. Samgye-juk, a chicken porridge, rounds out the menu, and a warm bowl on an empty stomach makes this a natural breakfast stop. The shop is a small basement room with about 10 tables, down a low stairway near Exit 9 of Myeongdong Station, run by two owners. Waits have shortened since a second branch opened. Squid jeotgal, a mild salted side, adds a salty bite between spoonfuls.