Imun Seolleongtang (이문설농탕) is a restaurant specializing in seolleongtang, located in Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It opened in Gongpyeong-dong, Jongno, in 1904 under the name "Imunok (里門屋)" and has operated for more than 120 years, making it widely regarded as the oldest surviving restaurant in Korea. After the founding of the Republic of Korea, it received Seoul restaurant license No. 1, and it was designated a Seoul Future Heritage site in 2013.
1904: Opened in Gongpyeong-dong, Jongno (some accounts date its opening to 1902). Its name originated from its location near Imun Pass in Pimatgol. It adopted its current name during the Japanese colonial period and is now run by the fourth generation.
Notable historical regulars: Sohn Kee-chung (손기정), the marathon gold medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and Yi Si-yeong (이시영), the first vice president of South Korea, were regulars. Kim Du-han (김두한) is said to have worked here as an employee during his adolescence.
2011: The Gongpyeong-dong building was demolished for an urban renewal project, prompting the restaurant to relocate to Gyeonji-dong.
October 2023: A fire broke out at the Gyeonji-dong location but was extinguished without casualties, and the restaurant has continued operating since then.
Seollongtang style: What distinguishes it from other seollongtang restaurants is its milky-white broth containing offal cuts such as mana (spleen) and the underside of the tongue. It is served at the proper temperature through toryeom, the practice of repeatedly pouring hot broth over the rice.
A century of consistency: Although the restaurant has relocated twice, its menu has remained largely unchanged for a century, comprising seollongtang, boiled beef slices, ox knee cartilage, the underside of the tongue, mana, and a few other dishes served with drinks.
It is regarded as a benchmark when discussing long-established restaurants in Seoul. Together with Hadongkwan (하동관), Yonggeumok (용금옥), and others, it stands at the forefront of Seoul's lineage of historic restaurants.
Wikipedia, “Imun Seolnongtang”
Hankook Ilbo, “Fire at 120-Year-Old Imun Seolnongtang, Once Frequented by Sohn Kee-chung and Where Kim Du-han Worked Part-Time” (2023-10-16)
The Korea Economic Daily, “Relocation Due to Redevelopment and Repeated Fires: The Ordeals of the 120-Year-Old Imun Seolnongtang” (2023-10-19)