"Jeonju's bean-sprout-soup institution — come to Sambaekjip for the city's defining kongnamul gukbap at ₩9,000 a bowl, served almost around the clock."
About Sambaekjip
Sambaekjip — the 'Three Hundred House' — opened in 1979 just north of the Jeonju Nambu Market and sells essentially one dish: kongnamul gukbap, the bean-sprout soup over rice that is the city's morning ritual and informal hangover cure. The name comes from its early days selling 300 bowls a day; today it moves several hundred and is the Korean reference point for the dish, much as Hangukjib is for bibimbap.
It anchors a corner of Jeonju's Korean cheap-eat culture and stays open from early morning until the small hours.
The Kitchen
The bowl is a ₩9,000 set — kongnamul gukbap topped with chopped scallion, a raw egg yolk, dried red-pepper flakes and a shot of saewu-jeot (salted shrimp) for seasoning, with a small kimchi side. The proper move is to crack the yolk in, stir the salted shrimp through, drink half the broth, then mix the rice in for the second half. A brass kettle of makgeolli runs about ₩6,000.
The Room
The room is a plain, fast-paced diner — brass tables, bright lights, no English menus and basic, functional service. Solo diners eat alongside taxi drivers, market vendors and students winding down a night out; the long hours mean it serves as breakfast and post-drinks meal alike.
Best for Solo Dining
For solo dining at its most undramatic — a counter seat, a ten-minute meal, a ₩9,000 bill — Sambaekjip is the call. As a stop on a longer Jeonju group night the makgeolli earns its place. Compare it with Gajok Hoegwan or Yangban Ga for Jeonju's other classics.
Not for
Not for a polished, romantic, or leisurely dinner — this is a no-frills, fluorescent-lit diner built for a fast, cheap bowl, not a drawn-out occasion meal.
Frequently Asked
What does Sambaekjip serve?
Essentially one dish: kongnamul gukbap, Jeonju's bean-sprout soup over rice, topped with scallion, egg yolk, red-pepper flakes and salted shrimp, with a kimchi side, for about ₩9,000 a bowl.
Why is it called Sambaekjip?
The name means 'Three Hundred House'. In its early days the restaurant sold around 300 bowls of kongnamul gukbap a day, and the name stuck.
How much does a meal cost at Sambaekjip?
A bowl of kongnamul gukbap is about ₩9,000. A brass kettle of makgeolli to share runs around ₩6,000, making it one of Jeonju's best-value meals.
Where is Sambaekjip located?
Just north of Nambu Market in Jeonju, near the Hanok Village, in Wansan-gu. It opens from early morning until the small hours most days.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Sambaekjip
No reservations — walk in; expect a short queue at peak breakfast and late-night hours.
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Practical Information
AddressNear Nambu Market, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
NeighbourhoodNambu Market, Jeonju Hanok Village
CuisineKorean / Kongnamul Gukbap
PriceAbout ₩9,000 a bowl
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingDiner tables
ReservationWalk-in only
