Jeonju Kongnamul Gukbap
전주콩나물국밥
Nearest station: Gyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역) Exit 2 · ≈8 m≈ approximate, from map data (Kakao Map, Naver Map or map coordinates)
A small bean-sprout soup and soft-tofu stew shop at 1F, 3 Jahamun-ro, 8m from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 2 per Kakao Map. It opens at 06:00, well before the palace opens at 09:00. Per the Kakao Map menu, kongnamul gukbap is ₩7,000, the seafood version ₩8,000 and the soft-tofu stews ₩7,500. Kakao Map lists it as "전주콩나물국밥", but the sign and the Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea) listing say "전주콩나물해장국", so look for that name at the door. It is not the shop of the same name in the Le Meilleur building at 19 Jong-ro.
Last checked: 2026-10-07·Desk-researched — not yet verified on site
Payment
Kakao Map lists only Zero Pay. Card and foreign-card payment are not stated in the sources.
Hours
Kakao Map: daily 06:00–21:00. An August 2026 blog: 06:00–20:30, closed on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month · Closed: Sources differ — Kakao Map lists no closing day; an August 2026 blog says closed on the 2nd and 4th Sundays
Reservation
None of the sources checked mention reservations. An August 2026 blog says many foreign customers eat here alone. It has only about ten tables, so space for a suitcase may be tight.
Address
서울 종로구 자하문로 3 1층
1F, 3 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tips
- Kakao Map and the blogs agree it opens at 06:00, but closing time and Sunday closures differ between sources. If you are going on a Sunday, check which Sunday of the month it is and confirm the day's hours in a map app.
- It is right outside Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 2; a blog places it at the start of the Sejong Village food street. For the palace gate, Exit 5 of the same station is closer.
Gwanghwamun & Gyeongbokgung · Places
Najuso Naju Gomtang, Gyeongbokgung
나주소나주곰탕 경복궁점A Naju-style gomtang restaurant at 1F, 8 Jahamun-ro 2-gil, 75m from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 3-1 per Kakao Map. It opens at 09:00 (sources agree), so it works if you plan to start the palace a little later. Naju gomtang, a clear beef soup, is ₩11,000, the large ₩13,000, dumpling gomtang ₩11,000 and Naju galbitang ₩15,000 (Kakao Map and Naver agree). There is a toilet inside (Kakao Map).
Original Pancake House, Gwanghwamun
오리지널팬케이크하우스 광화문점An American-style pancake and omelette restaurant on B1 of the KT Gwanghwamun Building West, 55m from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 2 per Kakao Map. It opens at 09:00 on weekdays and 08:00 on Saturday and Sunday (Kakao Map and Naver). Eggs Benedict is ₩23,000, buttermilk pancakes ₩14,000 (Naver; Kakao Map says ₩13,000) and the Italian omelette ₩25,000 (Naver and an October 2026 blog; Kakao Map says ₩24,000). Naver lists it as the "Diner Gwanghwamun" branch (Gwanghwamun No. 2); a separate Sejong Center branch (No. 1) across the road opens at the same times.
Gwanghwamun 24-Hour Gamjatang
광화문24시감자탕A gamjatang (pork-bone stew) and pork-bone soup restaurant at 1F, 42 Jong-ro 3-gil in Cheongjin-dong, 282m from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 2 per Kakao Map. It is open 24 hours every day of the year (Kakao Map and Naver), so you can eat here before dawn or early in the morning. Pork-bone soup, with or without the bone, is ₩12,000, and a small dried-cabbage gamjatang ₩34,000. You order at a kiosk (October 2026 blog).
Isaac Toast Gwanghwamun
이삭토스트 광화문점A branch of the Isaac Toast chain at 1F, 5 Sejong-daero 23-gil, 119m from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 9 per Kakao Map, opening at 07:00 on weekdays. Per the Naver menu, a ham and cheese toast is ₩4,500, French ham and cheese ₩5,000, ham special ₩5,100, scrambled ham and cheese ₩5,200 and bacon best ₩5,500. It suits a light breakfast or something to take away instead of a bowl of soup. Kakao Map and Naver agree on the weekday 07:00 opening.