[Seoul] Breakfast in Myeongdong: Healthy Korean Traditional Porridge at Migabon (미가본)
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After the usual heavy Korean meals, a bowl of healthy porridge is a great break in between. Instead of western-style pancake and bread, I prefer to wake up with porridge 🙂 It’s good to know that porridge specialty shops are densely hidden all over Myeongdong. From the density it is obvious how much Koreans love porridges!
Just right on top of Sinseon Seolleongtang is Migabon (미가본), which is famously known for its sumptuous abalone porridge and tasty ginseng chicken soup!
Korean porridge (죽 , pronounced ‘juk’) is made of grains such as cooked rice, beans, sesame, and azuki beans. Do you know that there are more than 40 variety of juk in Korea? Of course, not all types are popular. In fact, the most common type is made from plain white rice, similar in many other Asian cuisines. (For example, in Hong Kong, they call rice porridge “congee” while in Taiwan, we call it “chou”. Both refer to the same thing.)
I ordered a bowl of mushroom and abalone porridge (자연솧이 전복죽, 7000 won). It is served together with a number of more flavorful side dishes including bean sprouts, radish, spicy octopus, and burdock root.
The porridge contained smoothly textured abalone that was chopped into chunky pieces, mixed together with sliced shiitake mushrooms for a fuller flavor! I especially loved its thick consistency and subtle fine aroma 🙂 It sure created an unforgettable first impression!
Ordering food is easy as a breeze here at Migabon as English and Mandarin translation are included on the menu. With a huge selection of porridge available, you’ll be torn between choices. The abalone porridge is a wonderfully savory and nutritious one-bowl meal, nourishing your soul and body. It’s something you must eat at least once in Korea! On our next trip to Korea, we will definitely try that iconic summer dish, samgyetang (삼계탕) that is made with a small, whole chicken and ginseng 🙂
About Migabon (미가본)
Address: 2F, 2-23, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga ,Jung–gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 명동2가 2-23, 2F)
Hours: 8:00~22:00
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seoul.migabon
How to get to Migabon (미가본)
Get off at subway line 4 Myeongdong station, exit 6. Walk straight until you see Woori Bank on your right. Turn right and walk past the intersection.
Migabon will be on your right, right on top of Sinseon Seolleongtang, on the second floor.