Haengundongkaseu, Hongneung Galbi main branch also selected — spotlighting 30-plus years of flavor and local history
Three district-designated 'veteran restaurants' included, with tailored support covering promotional videos, online marketing and kitchen consulting
Dongdaemun-gu announced that four long-established restaurants in the district have been selected for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's "Orae-gage" ("long-standing shops") program, which recognizes eateries that have served local communities for decades from the same location.
The Orae-gage program identifies shops that have maintained their distinctive flavors and identities for 30 years or more. Its aim is to highlight Seoul's history and the everyday lifestyle of its neighborhoods through these enduring establishments, and to develop them as attractive tourism assets.
The four Dongdaemun-gu restaurants selected are: Yeonghwajang (3-8 Hwigyeong-ro), a Chinese cuisine landmark; Haengundongkaseu (173 Janghan-ro), a nostalgic pork-cutlet diner; Hyeseong Kalguksu (247-1 Wangsan-ro), a knife-noodle specialist; and Hongneung Galbi main branch (85 Jegi-ro), a galbi restaurant.
Three of the four — Haengundongkaseu, Hyeseong Kalguksu and Hongneung Galbi main branch — are also part of Dongdaemun-gu's own "veteran restaurant" project, a district initiative to systematically preserve and develop old-guard eateries that have grown alongside the neighborhood's history. The selections reflect the district's sustained efforts to uncover hidden local institutions and cultivate them as competitive assets.
Dongdaemun-gu enacted an ordinance in 2023 establishing a legal framework for certifying and supporting veteran restaurants. On July 31, the district held its "2026 Dongdaemun-gu Veteran Restaurant Designation Ceremony," adding four new establishments to the list and bringing the total number of officially recognized veteran restaurants under active management to 26.
To help designated veteran restaurants sustain stable operations and sharpen their competitiveness, the district is providing tailored support that includes promotional video production, online marketing assistance through blogs and other platforms, and kitchen organization and storage consulting.
Alongside this, the district is stepping up efforts to brand its leading veteran restaurants as tourism assets and promote them to both residents and visitors.
"These long-standing restaurants are more than just eateries — they are a precious piece of Dongdaemun-gu's history and a living cultural asset," Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min said. "We will continue to provide generous promotion and support so that the true value of Dongdaemun-gu's veteran restaurants is widely recognized and they remain beloved anchors of the local commercial district for years to come."
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