I will eat at this restaurant every time I’m at the Edae area in Seoul. If you’re looking for a quick meal amidst your shopping at Edae, Alchon (알촌) serves really cheap and delicious Bibimbap.

After you’ve made your order at one of their self-ordering systems, wait for the number on your receipt to appear on the screen. Then when it’s ready, your food can be collected at the Food Distribution Counter.

I don’t remember exactly what I’ve ordered but Alchon serves mainly Bibimbap, variations of Bibimbap with different ingredients. You can have it with beef, pork, chicken, garlic, cream, curry, spicy or non-spicy and the addition of toppings like an egg, cheese and my favorite, fish roe.

Koreans have to have side dishes for every, single, meal. The side dishes, soup and plain water are free flow at Alchon which you can help yourselves to at their Self Bar. Soft drinks are at an additional cost, which you also have to help yourselves to after checkout.

I remember having Alchon’s Bibimbap for the first time and falling in love with it. If you come to think about it, Bibimbaps are not hard to make and prepare, it’s just a combination and mixture of different ingredients with rice. But how is it that it tastes so good and fulfilling?

Alchon has many outlets in Korea. Just like this one near Ewha Woman’s University, they are always found near universities, catering to students with its really affordable meals. You can get a hearty and filling meal at Alchon with just less than ₩8,000.

Address: 56-57 Daehyun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Directions: 8 minutes walk from Ewha Woman’s University Subway Station Exit 2.
Rating: 4/5
Cost: $$$$$