Well, Jeonju(전주) is well-known for bibimbap in Korea, but Jinju also has a different kind of bibimbap. When people from other cities hear about Jinju bibimbap, they ask back "Is there such a thing in Jinju?" Then the question gets on my nerves. It's like hometown pride.
Jinju bibimbap is special in that raw beef is topped on rice. There's a long history about why Jinjuities started to add raw beef to bibimbap. If I'm not mistaken, the origin has to do with the Imjin War. Another characteristic is that vegetables are usually seasoned after parboiled rather than fried, which is more common in Jeonju bibimbap. In addition, the vegetables are usually chopped in the size of a bite.
Anyway, then do local people really go to eat Jinju bibimbap? Perhaps nah. Most of the customers are tourists. This isn't because it's not tasty but because it's kind of small dish for the price. (￦8,000~) However, as a visitor, raw beef bibimbap will be a unique cuisine that you can taste in Jinju.
Here are a few restaurants that are well-known for bibimbap.
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| Jinju yukwoi bibimbap at Seolya (설야) |
- 천황식당
- 망경식육식당
- 하연옥
- 하연옥
- 갑을가든
- 설야
- 설야
