Gaemi Jip (개미 집)

Name: Gaemi Jip (개미 집)

Location: Apgujeong

Reviewed by: Mama’s and Papa’s on: June 8th, 2013

Thoughts: An upscale venue in the midst of Apgujeong, Kaemi Jip fuels its customers with refreshing house brewed makgeolli, expensive food, and a fast paced atmosphere in the setting of a concrete bunker. The prices don’t necessarily reflect the quality of the food, but you definitely get your money’s worth on the interesting makgeolli infusions that are made on site. It’s a true reflection of the Apgujeong lifestyle with its high prices, trendy young crowd, and scotch infused makgeolli cocktails.
Gaemi Jip Interior

LOCATION

Overall: **1/2 (2.5 stars)

Food
Oyster Jeon: (Pungent seaweed, crispy, heavy, mildly spicy, doughy) ***1/2 (3.5 Stars)

Pork Bindaetteok: (Crispy, millet-like earthiness, neutral) ****1/2 (4.5 Stars)

Cheesy Haemul Kimchi Jeon:  (Greasy, salty, sultry) ***1/2 (3.5 Stars)

Honey Galbi: (Small, chewy, sweet, L.A. galbi style, overpriced) *1/2 (1.5 Stars)

Gaemi Jip Cheesy Haemul Kimchi Jeon

MAKGEOLLI

House Makgeolli (개미집 막걸리): (Neutral, enjoyable, refreshing, ice cold, fresh, balanced) ***1/2(3.5 Stars)

Citron Makgeolli Cocktail (유자 막걸리): (Super citrusy, juniper/gin tang, pungent, sweet) ***1/2 (3.5 Stars)

Macellan Whiskey Makgeolli:  (Oaky, sweet, the makgeolli brings out the scotch flavor) **** (4 Stars)

Dongdongju (동동주):  (Clear, smelly, roux like, strong, stale and sweet, reminiscent of soju) *1/2(1.5 Stars)

Gaemi Jip Table

What Mamas & Papas liked: The makgeolli. Gaemi Jip JeonThe house made makgeolli was absolutely delicious, and reasonably priced. Their infusions of makgeolli with citron, as well as with the scotch set a new bar for makgeolli coctails

What Mamas & Papas didn’t like: The food prices.Gaemi Jip Dong dong Ju Be prepared to shell out around 30,000 W per dish. Even for that price, the portions were relatively small. Mamas & Papas also found it difficult to talk in the loud and boisterous smoke-filled atmosphere. The dongdongju was also disappointing. One mama wrote that she thought it was mislabeled.

 

 

Recommendation: This place is great for a smaller group who wants to enjoy some fresh brewed makgeolli in the midst of trend setting Apgujeong. It would be a perfect stop before a night out on the town, while kicking back and listening to throwback music from the ‘90’s.

Gaemi Jip OutsideHow to get there: Come out of Apgujeong Station (line 3) Exit 5.  Walk straight, following the main road for quite a while, 7 blocks, until you see the Shinhan Bank in a grey brick building on your left. Take a left, and walk about 100 m until you see a CU. It’s right next door.

Address: 서울특별시 강남구 신사동 528-4 화인빌딩 1층

Phone Number:  02-541-5955

Map: Here

Have you been to Gaemi Jip before? Tried more dishes or have more opinions? More questions? Leave us a comment below and tell us what you think!

Makgeolli Mamas & Papas
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