Myeongdong Gimbap spot Chick Gimbap serves 11 kinds of generously filled mini gimbap, tteokbokki, ramyeon and more near Myeongdong Station, perfect for solo dining in Seoul.
Myeongdong Gimbap: Chick Gimbap, a Great Spot for Solo Dining and Korean Street Food in Seoul
Looking for Myeongdong gimbap that’s affordable, filling, and easy to enjoy alone?
Chick Gimbap Myeongdong branch (익선병아리김밥 명동점) has become one of my go-to places whenever I’m eating alone in Myeongdong and craving bunsik—Korea’s casual comfort food category that includes gimbap, tteokbokki, ramyeon, and fish cake.
The specialty here is kkoma gimbap (꼬마김밥), or mini gimbap.
But don’t let the word “mini” fool you.
These rolls are generously packed with ingredients and considerably more substantial than many of the tiny gimbap rolls you’ll find elsewhere.
I actually discovered this place by accident.
I was heading to Myeongdong for Isaac Toast when I noticed another restaurant nearby with a long line. Curiosity won, I went inside, and ended up loving the generously filled mini gimbap so much that I’ve returned several times since.
Apparently I’m not the only one. Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap’s gimbap is also popular for group lunchbox and picnic orders, and after trying it, I can see why.
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap Location
Address:
B1, 19-3 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
(서울 중구 명동10길 19-3 지하1층)
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 8 of Myeongdong Station.
It’s also relatively close to Myeongdong Cathedral, making it an easy stop to add to a day of sightseeing in central Seoul.
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap is right beside the famous Isaac Toast location that often has a line stretching down the alley.
Look for the bright yellow entrance and chick character.
You’ll probably also notice plenty of international visitors, including families with children.
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap Opening Hours
Daily: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Last Order: 8:30 PM
No Break Time
The long opening hours are one of its biggest advantages.
You don’t necessarily need to plan an entire meal around it. It’s equally convenient for breakfast, a quick Myeongdong lunch, an afternoon snack, or takeaway before heading somewhere else.
more info : Official Instagram
Inside Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap is located half a level below street level, but it doesn’t really feel like a basement.
Natural light comes through the windows, while the cheerful yellow interior makes the entire space feel bright.
And yes, there are chicks everywhere.
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap has turned its name into a full visual identity, with cute chick characters and dolls throughout the space.
Most of the seating consists of counter seats and two-person tables, which is one reason I particularly recommend it for solo dining in Myeongdong.
You don’t feel awkward occupying a large table by yourself, and the whole setup works well for people who simply want to eat quickly and continue sightseeing.
A Popular Myeongdong Takeaway and Lunchbox Spot
I visited after the Sunday breakfast rush but before lunchtime, so there were still several available seats.
The staff, however, were incredibly busy.
Large takeaway orders kept being packed into boxes, the prepared mini gimbap in the display case disappeared almost immediately, and the kitchen continued making fresh rice and rolling new batches.
With warmer weather arriving, I imagine picnic orders become especially popular.
And honestly, these mini gimbap rolls are perfect picnic food.
They’re compact, easy to share, and available in enough flavors that a group doesn’t have to agree on just one.
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap‘s signature Chick Lunchbox is particularly popular, and you can also add Korean favorites such as fried chicken bites and tteokbokki.
Easy Ordering for Foreign Visitors
Another thing worth mentioning for international travelers is that Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap clearly receives a lot of foreign customers.
You’ll find information in Korean, English, and Japanese throughout the restaurant.
Foreign visitors can order directly at the counter, while I used the self-service kiosk near the entrance.
After ordering, grab water and utensils from the self-service station and find a seat. Simple.
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap Menu
Despite gimbap being the star, the menu is surprisingly extensive.
There are 11 varieties of mini gimbap, along with yubuchobap—seasoned rice stuffed inside sweet fried tofu pockets.
For a full Korean bunsik meal, you can also order classics including:
- Tteokbokki
- Rabokki
- Ramyeon
- Udon
- Fish cake
- Dakgangjeong, Korean sweet-and-spicy fried chicken
- Vietnamese-style fresh spring rolls
The brand was reportedly developed with a team of food R&D specialists with the goal of making gimbap more accessible internationally, and that approach makes sense when you see the menu.
There’s enough variety for someone completely new to Korean food, but plenty of familiar favorites for locals as well.
Prices are reasonable, too.
Two mini gimbap rolls and one rabokki can already make a satisfying meal, but I was particularly hungry that day and wanted a little bit of everything.
So naturally, I ordered too much. No regrets.
What Does Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap Taste Like?
Once your order is ready, your number is called and you collect the tray from the counter.
And then the Korean bunsik feast begins.
There is something especially dangerous about familiar comfort food. Just looking at a tray filled with red tteokbokki sauce, gimbap, noodles, and fish cake is enough to make me hungry again.
Everything is prepared using fresh ingredients, with new batches of gimbap constantly being rolled throughout the day.
Rabokki and Korean Fish Cake
I started with the noodles in the rabokki, which combines ramyeon noodles with tteokbokki.
The noodles were nicely chewy, while the soft fish cake and wheat-based rice cakes soaked up the spicy-sweet sauce.
When I wanted something soupy between bites, there was also a large piece of twisted fish cake on a skewer sitting in warm broth.
It’s straightforward Korean comfort food, and that’s exactly why it works.
The Mini Gimbap Is the Real Star
Then came my favorite part: the kkoma gimbap.
Visually, you can immediately tell that these rolls are larger and more densely packed than typical mini gimbap.
Once you start eating, they’re surprisingly filling.
But what makes Chick Gimbap particularly memorable isn’t just the amount of filling. It’s the rice.
Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap uses its own seasoned rice recipe, called Yucho Special Rice, incorporating various seasonings and ingredients that give the rice itself plenty of flavor.
That means the gimbap doesn’t rely entirely on its fillings or dipping sauces.
Even the rice is tasty on its own, and once combined with the other ingredients, each small roll has far more flavor than its size suggests.
Love Spicy Food? Try the Spicy Squid Gimbap
One warning for fellow spice lovers: the spicy squid gimbap with Cheongyang chili peppers has a genuine kick.
Even if you normally handle Korean spicy food well, the fresh chili can be surprisingly hot.
I enjoyed it, but this definitely isn’t the flavor I’d recommend to someone who struggles with spice.
On the other hand, if spicy food is exactly what you’re looking for in Seoul, go for it.
Add the Wasabi Mayo
For an extra KRW 500, you can add wasabi mayo, and I absolutely recommend it.
It’s great for dipping the mini gimbap, but it also worked surprisingly well with the fresh spring rolls.
Speaking of those spring rolls, I ordered them for the first time on this visit because the weather was getting warmer.
They turned out to be completely my style—fresh, light, and a nice contrast to the heavier bunsik dishes.
I originally came here for the gimbap, but I can already see the spring rolls becoming another regular order.
Is Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap Worth Visiting?
If you’re looking for Myeongdong gimbap, especially somewhere comfortable for eating alone, Chick Gimbap is an easy recommendation.
It’s affordable, casual, foreigner-friendly, and flexible enough for almost any situation.
Come for a quick solo lunch. Stop by for a snack between Myeongdong attractions. Bring the kids if you’re traveling as a family. Or grab a box of mini gimbap to take on a picnic or day trip from Seoul.
Most importantly, the food itself gives you a fun introduction to Korean bunsik without requiring you to order an enormous meal.
The mini gimbap is generously filled, the seasoned rice gives it a distinctive flavor, and there are enough varieties and side dishes to make repeat visits interesting.
For me, it has become one of those places that immediately comes to mind whenever I’m in Myeongdong and craving Korean comfort food.
If your Seoul itinerary includes Myeongdong and you want something beyond Korean BBQ or trendy cafés, save Myeongdong Gimbap Chick Gimbap for an easy, satisfying meal.
Related post about Bunsik likewise gibbon or tteokbokki Korean food in Seoul you might enjoy : Shinnonhyeon Restaurant Nonhyeon Red Tteokbokki: Best Korean Street Food Near Gangnam
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