Innovation

The innovation of Yeonhui-dong Kalguksu lies in preserving traditions and cultural values while seeking a sustainable way to modernize without forgetting the principles on which it was founded: helping people and being a family business.

First, the restaurant has adopted a conservationist stance toward its heritage. For this reason, instead of expanding by demolishing the area and taking space from the community, it has adapted the family home as a sign of cultural attachment and social responsibility. Through this, it has contributed to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Likewise, the business has sought to standardize itself, innovating in ways to package kimchi that meet sanitary requirements without compromising the traditional recipe. In addition, it has conducted studies on the nutritional composition of its products — an achievement they proudly highlight for its high nutritional value — thereby contributing to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Lastly, since its beginnings, the business has aimed to employ women with families who lack many job opportunities, whether due to age or gender. Today, the restaurant employs women aged 40 to 60, contributing to SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Inspiration

The beginning of Yeonhui-dong Kalguksu was not born of lofty expectations, but necessity and sincerity. The co-manager explained, "It started in 1985, when she (the founder) converted the parking space of the detached house into a minuscule restaurant with four tables so that we could live." Her hope was modest — to support her family as a female breadwinner. Yet as time went on, this modest beginning became a lasting symbol of compassion, heritage, and community.

At first, acquiring customers was challenging because the restaurant was in a residential area rather than a business district. "She just kept going because she had to earn a living." Sustaining the business required grit and a people-first approach. Of equal importance was her initial vision for the restaurant: to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere for every customer, especially in a fast-paced city like Seoul. "Since kalguksu is a humble, everyday food, I wanted customers to feel as comfortable as eating at home."

For that reason, the owners take pride in the fact that their restaurant has become more than just a business — it has become a symbol of community identity

Overall impact

The impact of Yeonhui-dong Kalguksu has been profound over four decades, not only socially but also culturally. First and foremost, it has shown that innovation and sustainable adaptation can coexist with tradition. This restaurant has never needed to change its recipes to attract customers or follow modern food trends — its menu has remained exactly the same since it opened.

Likewise, it has been proven that harmony between community life and commercial development does not have to be harmful. The business has grown and evolved peacefully within a residential neighbourhood, preserving its traditional architecture and resisting unnecessary expansion. Instead, it has compensated for its less tourist-oriented location by offering a home-like atmosphere, warmth, authenticity, and care in every dish.

In the short term, the introduction of a hygienic kimchi packaging system improved both working conditions and food safety, meeting new health standards over the years. This innovation strengthened the restaurant’s economic stability and created an additional source of income through packaged kimchi sales.

In the long term, Yeonhui-dong Kalguksu has become a symbol of human-centered sustainability, offering decent and well-paid employment opportunities to older women while ensuring fair working conditions. It has also become a beloved landmark in the neighborhood, adding a small but meaningful layer of tourism that reinforces social cohesion, as visiting the restaurant has become a family tradition for many locals.

Business benefit

Since the development of the new kimchi packaging system, the restaurant’s revenue has improved. In this regard, they have not only seen an increase in sales but also in quality control. As the founder explained, “Customers began asking to buy our white kimchi, and we wanted to meet that demand and increase sales, so we improved the system.” Similarly, when the co-manager was asked whether there had been improvements in product production and quality control, he responded, “Yes, definitely… The main goal was to achieve standardization of kimchi production.”

The contribution of these changes has been significant — not only in the restaurant’s growth through higher income, but also in the increase of regular customers and in the overall stability and comfort of the employees.

Social and environmental benefit

The employment model of this business has been rigorous in its mission to support women who are the primary providers for their families. For this reason, over the past four decades, it has consistently employed women aged 40 to 60. This has not only contributed to the community and the social well-being of local families, but it has also created a sense of identity and authenticity that customers sincerely appreciate and value.

Likewise, in both environmental and urban contexts, Yeonhui-dong Kalguksu has demonstrated that sustainability can be achieved through the preservation of heritage. The business has remained firm in its commitment to reflect identity and belonging within its community. Today, as one of the neighbourhood’s most established restaurants, it has chosen to expand inward rather than outward — innovating in its products, not in its façade. That is why the decision was made to rebuild the original Hanok structure and convert it into a restaurant. This choice reduced the environmental impact associated with construction and helped preserve the architectural identity of Yeonhui-dong, a traditional residential neighbourhood in Seoul. Its example has inspired other local businesses to choose spatial regeneration over demolition.

Interview

Hwangyune Kim, Co-manager