If you ask Koreans what they eat when they want a quick, cheap, no-fuss meal, a lot of us will say the same thing: gimbap and ramyeon (김밥 + 라면). Rice rolls on one plate, a bowl of spicy noodle soup on the other, kimchi on the side. It is the Korean version of a sandwich and soup combo, and you can find it in every neighborhood.
Here is how the combo works, what to order, what it costs, and the place I went to recently near Hyehwa: Ogong Gimbap (오공김밥).
Quick answer: at a gimbap shop, order one roll of basic gimbap plus a ramyeon (often sold as a set), and add a second, more filling gimbap if you are two people. Expect roughly ₩15,000 for two. Kimchi and water are free.
Why gimbap + ramyeon works
- Fast: gimbap is rolled and sliced in front of you, and ramyeon takes about five minutes.
- Cheap: one of the most affordable sit-down meals in Seoul. See our Seoul food prices guide.
- Balanced (kind of): rice and vegetables from the gimbap, warm spicy soup from the ramyeon.
- Dip it: many Koreans dip a piece of gimbap into the ramyeon broth. Try it.
Tank’s pick: Ogong Gimbap near Hyehwa
Ogong Gimbap (오공김밥) is a gimbap shop with several branches around Seoul. I ate at the one near Hyehwa Station (Line 4), in the Daehak-ro theater area, and it also does delivery.
What we ordered (for two)
- Basic gimbap + ramyeon set: the ramyeon tasted like classic Shin Ramyun, served with an egg.
- Bul-jeyuk gimbap (불제육 김밥): filled with spicy stir-fried pork, egg and pickled radish.
- Total: about ₩15,000 for two people.
Tank’s take: both gimbap were really good, and the portions were bigger than I expected. It is a great choice when you just want a simple meal. Bonus: their coffee is only ₩1,800, so I grabbed one to go after eating.
- Where: near Hyehwa Station, Daehak-ro. Search Naver Map · Google Maps or “오공김밥 혜화” in Naver Map.
- Good for: a quick lunch before a Daehak-ro show, solo meals, or a cheap dinner for two.
- Delivery: available through Korean delivery apps. See food delivery apps for foreigners.
🥧 Dessert next door: right beside Ogong Gimbap is Nata de Nata, a Portuguese bakery whose original egg tart is the best I have ever had.
How to order at a gimbap shop
- Look for the menu on the wall or a kiosk at the door. Most gimbap shops have a picture menu.
- Pick a gimbap: 기본 김밥 (gi-bon, basic), 참치 김밥 (cham-chi, tuna mayo), 치즈 김밥 (chi-jeu, cheese) or a spicy pork one like 제육 김밥 (je-yuk).
- Add a ramyeon. Sets (세트, se-teu) are usually cheaper than ordering separately.
- Help yourself to water and kimchi. Many shops are self-service.
- Pay at the counter or kiosk when you order or when you leave.
Gimbap words to know
| Korean | Say it | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 김밥 | gim-bap | Rice and fillings rolled in seaweed |
| 기본 김밥 | gi-bon gim-bap | Basic gimbap with egg, veggies and ham |
| 참치 김밥 | cham-chi gim-bap | Tuna mayo gimbap, very popular |
| 제육 김밥 | je-yuk gim-bap | Spicy stir-fried pork gimbap |
| 라면 | ra-myeon | Instant noodle soup, cooked to order |
| 라볶이 | ra-bok-ki | Ramyeon noodles in tteokbokki sauce |
Want the convenience store version? Triangle kimbap and cup ramyeon are the budget cousin of this combo. See our convenience store food combos and Korean restaurant chains guides.
FAQ
Is gimbap the same as sushi?
No. Gimbap uses rice seasoned with sesame oil and salt (not vinegar), and usually cooked or pickled fillings like egg, ham, pickled radish and vegetables rather than raw fish.
How much does gimbap and ramyeon cost in Seoul?
A basic gimbap roll is usually around ₩4,000–5,000 and ramyeon around ₩5,000–6,000 at a gimbap shop in 2026. Two people can eat well for about ₩15,000.
