Insa Dodam (인사도담)

Introduction

Located in a charming alley in Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Insa Dodam is a Korean restaurant specializing in bibimbap, stir-fried octopus, and braised short ribs. The kitchen uses fresh, regionally sourced ingredients like bracken, radish, and chamnamul (short-fruit pimpinella). Since the signature bibimbap is meat-free, it is an excellent option for vegetarians. Other highlights include the tender, chewy stir-fried octopus—perfect for mixing with rice—as well as water minarijeon (Korean water parsley pancakes) and spicy whelk salad. A standout dish is the pork rib stew, which is slow-cooked in an earthen pot and naturally sweetened with fruits and vegetables instead of sugar.