A Hike Up Inwangsan and Delicious North Korean-Style Chicken Stew at Muguok
San 2-1, Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
인왕산
Hiking Inwangsan Mountain (인왕산) is one of the most rewarding urban adventures in Seoul, offering breathtaking views of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the city skyline. But for many, the real "summit" is the delicious meal waiting at the bottom. This journey combines a classic hike along the historic fortress walls with a visit to 'Muguok,' a trending restaurant famous for its North Korean-style chicken stew.
Whether you're looking for a quick morning climb starting from Gyeongbokgung Station or a longer traverse toward Changuimun Gate, this course provides the perfect balance of physical activity and culinary reward. In this post, I’ll share my experience navigating the mountain trails, dealing with the legendary wait times at Muguok, and preparing for future challenges at Hallasan.
Conquering the Peaks of Inwangsan Mountain (인왕산)
Navigating the trails from Tiger Statue to Changuimun Gate
The journey began at Gyeongbokgung Station (Exit 1). After meeting the iconic Tiger Statue, the climb toward the summit was filled with shifting weather, ranging from sunny patches to threatening rain clouds. Currently, a monorail construction project is underway, so some sections are blocked off, which requires a bit of patience while navigating the rocky terrain.
Despite the construction, reaching the summit provides a magnificent sense of scale as you overlook the Seoul city center. We opted for a slightly longer route, descending toward Changuimun Gate instead of heading straight back to the station. This path offers a peaceful transition from the mountain ridges back to the historic city streets, perfect for working up an appetite for the main event.
The Legendary Wait: Dining at Muguok
Savoring North Korean-style chicken stew and stir-fried squid
Muguok has become a social media sensation, and the wait times prove it. We arrived 10 minutes before the official opening time of 11:30 AM, only to find the restaurant already full and received waiting number 37. After an 85-minute wait, the feast finally began with house-made radish kimchi and refreshing water kimchi. A pro tip for future visitors: consider putting your name on the list *before* you head up the mountain!
The star of the show is the North Korean-style chicken stew, where the rich, perilla seed powder soup and the tender meat are served separately. The chicken is perfectly seasoned and pairs beautifully with the unique scallion-ginger oil. We also added the stir-fried squid as a side dish, which provided a spicy contrast to the luxurious, creamy taste of the chicken soup.
Gear Up for the Next Challenge: Hallasan Prep
Visiting Ace Outdoor at Jongno 5-ga
With a family trip to Hallasan Mountain scheduled in just two weeks, the adventure continued at Jongno 5-ga. This area is known as the mecca for outdoor gear in Seoul. I stopped by 'Ace Outdoor' to invest in some high-quality wool socks to reduce foot fatigue for the upcoming long trek. While the price of gear can be surprising, it's a necessary investment for a safe and successful climb.
Hiking is as much about the preparation and the recovery as it is about the climb itself. From the rocky ridges of Inwangsan Mountain (인왕산) to the rich flavors of North Korean soul food, this trip was the perfect training ground for our family's next big milestone in Jeju Island.
Are you willing to wait 85 minutes for a legendary bowl of perilla seed chicken soup? Have you ever balanced a rocky mountain hike with a gourmet reward at the bottom? If you're heading to Inwangsan Mountain soon, don't forget to check the monorail construction status! Would you like me to recommend more historic gate courses or the best gear shops in the Jongno area?
No comments yet.
