I came across Muguok on Tiktok, a restaurant in Seoul known for its North Korean–style samgyetang. With all the buzz online, I was curious to see if it really lived up to the hype. Spoiler: it does, but not without a bit of effort.

Muguok in Seoul
North Korean-style samgyetang with side dishes

The first time I tried to go, I made the rookie mistake of arriving at noon. The restaurant opens at 11:30, and by the time I got there, the line was already long. I was about to write my name on the list when a staff member came out and announced that they probably couldn’t accommodate the last 10 or so people waiting. Unfortunately, I was one of them. That was my sign to just come back another day.

So I did. This time, I showed up at 11am, thinking I was early enough. Turns out, people queue just to get a queue number from the tablet at the entrance. By the time it was my turn, the system wouldn’t accept my reservation for one. I asked for help, and a staff member kindly put me in the system manually. With no waiting area outside, I had to stand in the summer heat. It wasn’t the most comfortable wait, but by noon, my name was finally called.

The menu was very simple, just a handful of items, which I’ve come to learn is usually a good sign in Korea. If a place focuses on just a few dishes, it often means they’ve spent years perfecting them. As a solo diner, I was told I could only order one main dish, which was fine since I came specifically for the samgyetang. If you're dining solo, you can still order the other items, but keep in mind that the portions are meant for two people, so you’d need the appetite to finish everything on your own.

Muguok in Seoul

When the food arrived, the staff explained how to enjoy it with the sauces and side dishes. Unlike the usual Korean samgyetang, where the chicken is stuffed with rice and served in broth, the North Korean version at Muguok comes deconstructed. The chicken, rice, and broth are served separately. The broth was incredibly rich and flavorful, clearly simmered for hours. The sides complemented it perfectly, especially the radish kimchi, which gave a tangy and refreshing balance to the richness of the soup.

I waited about an hour for this meal, and honestly, it was worth every minute. Not only did I get to try a North Korean dish that’s hard to find in Seoul, but it was also genuinely delicious and comforting. 

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just keep in mind that you’ll likely be waiting in line, and for some, that might not feel worth it. For me, though, I’d line up for it again without hesitation.