Neungdong Minari Seongsu

Minari is Korean water dropwort, a crisp green herb with a fresh, slightly peppery smell, and this restaurant builds its whole menu around it with Korean beef. The most ordered bowl is the minari gomtang, a clear beef bone soup topped with a heap of chopped minari, served with rice. The other signature is yukhoe bibimbap, raw seasoned beef and minari over rice; the sauce is soy-based rather than the usual red chili paste, so it is milder than many visitors expect. Groups tend to add yukjeon, thin slices of beef dipped in egg batter and pan-fried, available as a half or full plate, or share a minari and boiled pork hot pot. Side dishes include a minari salad, and barley tea comes to the table. The space runs over two floors with plenty of tables, food arrives quickly, and you will see solo diners, shoppers and travelers side by side. It opens early and stays open until midnight, so it works for a late breakfast as well as a post-shopping dinner. The green-topped soup bowl is the shot to take.