[Yeonsu Hanmadang]
Searching for home-cooked meals outside home!
It's summer! Summer is too hot to even cook in front of the fire. Still, the time for three meals a day has come again. These days, Koreans look for cold stuff even right after drinking a glass of cold water. In this hot season, we visited places offering solid meals for just KRW 5,000. These are the famous cafeterias of Yeonsu-gu that serve meals with low calories, balanced nutrients and a cost of just KRW 5,000 or even less!
1. Cafeteria of G-Tower Made in Mom
Songdo International Business District is filled with many skyscrapers, and among them is G-Tower, the landmark building of Songdo. With an impressive zigzag exterior, the building is famous for hosting the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and internationalorganizations such as the Green Climate Fund. On the 29th floor is the cafeteria operated by Made in Mom. Considering both Korean and foreign cuisines, the cafeteria serves two course menus (Korean / Chinese or Western) with free salad. Guests can enjoy a variety of foods in a buffet, and can also eat as much as they want. The cafeteria is not only for employees at G-Tower but also for the general public. After the meal, brewed coffee (KRW 300) is available from the vending machine inside the cafeteria, and people can drink it at the Sky Garden while enjoying a cool breeze and wonderful view.
● Opening hours
- Lunch : 11:30 a.m. ~ 1:30 p.m.
- Dinner : 5:30 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. (closed weekends and holidays)
● Price : KRW 5,000 (Purchase meal tickets from ticket machine)
● G-Tower Made in Mom : 032-858-8480
2. Cafeteria of Incheon National University
Since Incheon National University is large, the school has three cafeterias. Among them, the Student Dining Hall and Faculty Dining Hall are recommended. The former is located at the Welfare Center (Hall #11), and has more than 16 items on the menu. The prices cannot be beat and the taste is great. A few recommended dishes by students are instant stir-fried rice cake, omelet rice with cream sauce and seafood ramen. Located on the second floor of the Professors' Center (Hall #2), the Faculty Dining Hall is famous enough to be considered Songdo attraction. The menu items are low in sodium, and guests can choose the amount of rice, side dishes and sungnyung (scorched-rice water) they want. The interior is cozy and neat like a cafe. To avoid crowds, dining there in the evening rather than at lunch time is advised.
● Consumer Cooperative of Incheon National University 032-835-4720
3. Cafeteria of Michuhol Campus, Incheon National University - Madryn
Located in the basement of Michuhol Campus, Incheon National University, Madryn is famous for several one-course dinners including sweet-and-sour naengmyeon (Korean cold noodles), sweet and salty chicken in soy sauce, jajangmyeon (Chinese noodles in black bean sauce), sweet and sour pork, stir-fried Korean chili pepper and pork with Chinese flower buns, and thick-and-aromatic roasted grain for dessert. For guests with reservations, the cafeteria even sends a daily menu card. This cafeteria is thus always packed. Naengmyeon is Madryn's most popular food in summer. Its sauce is made by grinding onions and pears, and then adding Welsh onions with all kinds of seasonings. The taste is sweet and spicy to whet the appetite in the hot summer season! Many side dishes also fill up food trays, as well as a glass of lemonade for dessert. The menu of Madryn is filled with nutrients, just like meals at home. When the heat sucks one’s energy, how about a visit to a cafeteria for a solid meal with great taste and cheap price?
● Opening hours
- Lunch : 11:00 a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m.
- Dinner : 5:00 p.m. ~ 6:30 p.m. (closed weekends and holidays)
● Price : KRW 4,500 (Purchase meal tickets from ticket machine)
● 032-833-7976 (Exit #4 of Techno Park Station → B1, College of Education Building, ncheon National University)
