Buchon Yukhoe is the best-known restaurant on Yukhoe Alley inside Gwangjang Market, Seoul’s oldest permanent market. Young Koreans line up here for yukhoe—fresh Korean beef tartare—at prices far below a restaurant in Gangnam. It is one of the essential tastes of Jongno and a fun way to see the market at its liveliest.
This guide explains the dish, what to order, prices and how to time your visit. For more food and cafe stops, see our guide to trendy Seoul cafes and restaurants.
What Is Yukhoe?
Yukhoe is Korea’s take on beef tartare. Thin strips of lean, very fresh beef are seasoned with sesame oil, a little soy and sugar, then served with julienned Korean pear and a raw egg yolk on top. You mix it all together at the table. The texture is silky and the flavor is clean, sweet and nutty. Gwangjang Market became famous for it because the butchers who supply the alley deliver beef daily.
What to Order at Buchon Yukhoe
- Yukhoe (200g) – about 23,000 won; the classic, enough for two to share as a starter.
- Yukhoe bibimbap – about 11,000 won (16,000 won for the special); rice, vegetables and yukhoe in one bowl.
- Yukhoe with live octopus (yukhoe nakji tangtangi) – about 38,000 won; the adventurous order, with chopped octopus still moving.
- Yuk sashimi – thin slices of raw beef, small or large.
Buchon Yukhoe Address, Hours and Directions
- Address: 200-12 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul – Yukhoe Alley, Gwangjang Market (서울 종로구 종로 200-12)
- Phone: 02-2267-1831
- Hours: open daily from late morning into the evening; check Naver Map for the day’s hours and holidays
- Subway: Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1), Exit 8, or Euljiro 4-ga Station
Tips for Eating at Gwangjang Market
- Beat the dinner rush. Lines are longest from 6 p.m. A late lunch around 3 p.m. is easier.
- Make it a food crawl. After yukhoe, try bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap in the main market aisles.
- Raw food note: yukhoe is raw beef and egg. Skip it if you are pregnant or have a weak stomach—the bibimbap still gives you the flavor.
- Continue your day with naengmyeon at Woo Lae Oak or a drink in Euljiro Nogari Alley.
Is Buchon Yukhoe Worth It?
For food lovers, absolutely. Buchon Yukhoe offers high-quality Korean beef in a lively market setting at a fair price. Even if you have never tried raw beef, the yukhoe bibimbap is an easy introduction.
FAQ
Is Buchon Yukhoe in the Michelin Guide?
Buchon Yukhoe has been listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul, which helped make Yukhoe Alley famous with visitors.
Is yukhoe safe to eat?
It is made with very fresh beef delivered daily. As with any raw food, people with health concerns should choose cooked dishes.
Do they have English menus?
Menus often include pictures, and staff are used to foreign guests.
Source: Polle – Buchon Yukhoe menu
Featured image: Photo: Choi2451 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). Photos illustrate the area or dish and may not show the venue itself. Details checked October 2026; confirm hours on Naver Map before visiting.