Seoul(Jongno-gu)
, Insadong・Jongnon
Located at the entry of Samcheong Park, Doban is a Korean restaurant that features dishes using seasonal ingredients. Doban means "partner" in Buddhism. The restaurant is in a remodeled house and has a large signboard outside, making it easy to find.
The main draw of Doban lies in the fact that the restaurant uses only fresh, seasonal ingredients often not available to city residents. The most popular thing on the menu is the course meal called “banjeongsik,” which comes with five main dishes and nine side dishes. The array of simple, light food (such as salad, japchae, bossam, and jeon) is a delightful mix of flavors whose seasonal ingredients (such as ferns and lettuce) make each bite a palate-pleasing sensation. Banjeongsik is part of the lunch menu and is only available until 3 p.m. Other course items are ilpum, epum, and sampum. Doban is a great spot for family gatherings and business meetings.