Pimatgol(피맛골), translated into English as 'the road to avoid horses', is a narrow side road used by commoners next to Jongno(=main road), because nobles on horseback passed through Jongno, it was difficult for commoners to use the road. After the Korean War, many restaurants opened along this narrow side road, but in the 2000~2010s, Pimatgol was redeveloped, and old restaurants disappeared or moved into modern high-rise buildings.
Some of the restaurants I used to go to with my father when I was young have all had their original buildings demolished and moved into high-rise buildings, but they no longer tastes like when I was younger. When people go to old restaurants, they go there not only for the dishes, but also to rouse memories, and it is regrettable that the old scenery is disappearing.
어릴 때 아버지 손 잡고 자주 가던 청진옥, 한일관은 피맛골 재개발 때 다 철거되고 고층빌딩 안으로 옮겨갔다. 요즘 가서 먹어보면 어릴 때 맛이 안 나는 게 음식이 변해서인지 내가 변해서인지.
늘 같이 가던 아버지 없이 가서 그런 거라면 아버지를 모시고 한 번 가봐아겠지만, 이제 보행에 문제가 생긴 아버지는 여기까지 외식 한 번 나오는 것도 쉽지 않은 일이 되었다.
January 3, 2024.
Jongno, Seoul.
