This is CityNomix. While I spend my days navigating the digital marketing ocean, my passion lies in exploring the real world with my own feet and senses.
Today, I’m sharing a lunch experience from Marunouchi, the beating heart of Tokyo’s business district.
Marunouchi is a city where glittering gastronomy crowds amongst sophisticated skyscrapers. However, for busy business people, lunchtime is often a battlefield.
It was past 1:00 PM on a weekday. I had missed the peak time. Hungry and rushing, I dived into a restaurant where I had a shockingly good encounter.
The place is “Surakkan” in the Shin-Marunouchi Building.
What I found there was not a fusion dish or a creative twist, but an extremely “basic” menu.
However, true power was hidden within these basics.
1:00 PM on a Weekday at Shin-Marunouchi Building. The Hunger Crisis.
My meeting ran late, and the clock had already turned past 13:00.
In the Marunouchi lunch war, this time slot is akin to a cleanup operation. Popular limited lunches are sold out, and “In Preparation” signs start appearing on restaurant doors.
Walking briskly through the restaurant floor of the Shin-Marunouchi Building, my brain was filled with keywords: “Fast, Delicious, Certainty.”
That’s when the characters for “Surakkan” jumped into my eyes.
I had visited for dinner before, so I knew the quality was high.
However, with the lunch peak over, the remaining menu options were limited.
Without hesitation, I ordered the “Sundubu Jjigae Set” at the top of the menu and the “Bulgogi Set” to share with my colleague.
I must confess.
At this moment, I thought, “Well, Sundubu won’t be a huge miss.”
But this choice, which felt like a compromise, turned out to be a massive success.
Stable Quality like Dinner. The “Never Betray” Bulgogi Set.
First, let me introduce the Bulgogi Set, which I ordered as a kind of “insurance.”
It’s a talented dish that also stars in their dinner courses.
I was relieved when the set arrived.
Just because it’s lunch doesn’t mean they cut corners on the side dishes.
Colorful namul (seasoned vegetables), kimchi, and fresh lettuce and perilla leaves for wrapping the meat.
The orderly arrangement truly reflects the pride of Surakkan.
And then, the main Bulgogi.
Beef and onions sizzling on a hot iron plate.
The savory scent of the sweet and spicy sauce burning slightly stimulates my empty stomach mercilessly.
One bite, and the “dinner taste” I expected—no, better than I expected—spreads in my mouth.
The sweetness of the onions and the richness of the sauce cling to the beef, making the white rice disappear quickly.
“Surakkan’s Bulgogi is definitely a safe bet.”
That stability is the greatest vitality for business people facing hard work in the afternoon.
However, the true protagonist of the day was waiting next.
I Apologize for Underestimating It. The Concept-Changing “Sundubu Jjigae”
“Sundubu Jjigae.”
It is such a standard menu item that you find it in every Korean restaurant.
That’s exactly why I had avoided ordering it until now.
I had the arrogance to think, “It’s probably the same everywhere.”
However, the moment I saw the black earthenware pot brought to the table, my premonition was betrayed in a good way.
Bright red soup boiling vigorously.
Fresh green chives sitting in the center.
Just from the visual information, an aura that says “This is not just any Sundubu” is drifting.
The moment I dipped my spoon into the soup and took a sip.
Shock ran through me.
“Spicy.”
Of course, it is spicy. But immediately after, a tremendous “umami of seafood” rushes in.
It is in a different dimension from soup that is just shallowly spicy.
Clams, shrimp, or perhaps crab? Complex seafood stocks layer upon each other, creating a rich and deep flavor.
The smooth tofu and the mellowness of the soft-boiled egg intertwine exquisitely with the spicy soup.
“I would come to Marunouchi just to eat this Sundubu again.”
It was a level of perfection that made me think so without exaggeration.
A happy miscalculation I encountered because I had no other options.
I was shown the greatness of a dish that mastered the “basics” and the “royal road.”
For Busy Business Lunches, Choose the “Royal Road”
What saved me from becoming a lunch refugee past 13:00 was a standard menu that didn’t try to be eccentric.
Lunch at Surakkan is one of the optimal solutions for business people who want to eat a “proper meal” even when busy.
Even a single namul shows careful work.
Being able to consume plenty of vegetables is also a happy point for our generation who care about health.
The serving speed is smooth, allowing effective use of the limited lunch break.
While thinking “I want to try other menus next time,” I have a feeling I will order that Sundubu Jjigae packed with seafood umami again.
That bowl was that addictive.
Finally, for those who want to know more about “Surakkan,” I have organized some information.
I summarized points that first-time visitors might be curious about.
How to pronounce Surakkan
First, about the pronunciation of the store name.
It is written as “水刺間” and pronounced “Surakkan” (or Suragan).
This is a word meaning “King’s Kitchen” or “Royal Cuisine” in Korean.
If you have watched the drama “Jewel in the Palace” (Dae Jang Geum), it might sound familiar.
It embodies the restaurant’s pride in serving polite and high-quality dishes worthy of a king.
Surakkan Roppongi
I visited the Shin-Marunouchi Building branch, but there is also a store in Roppongi (Roppongi Hills branch).
The Roppongi store is also a popular spot where you can enjoy authentic Korean cuisine in a sophisticated space.
You can choose based on the area, but the high quality is common to both.
Surakkan lunch
During lunch time, there are attractive menus besides the Sundubu and Bulgogi introduced this time.
For example, Cold Noodles (Naengmyeon) and Bibimbap are also popular.
The price range is standard for Marunouchi lunches, but considering the richness of the content (variety of side dishes and taste quality), the cost performance is very high.
Since weekdays are crowded with business people, it is wise to shift your time to the 11:00 AM range or after 1:00 PM.
Surakkan locations
Currently, major locations include the “Shin-Marunouchi Building Store” and “Roppongi Hills Store.”
All stores are located in commercial facilities or places with good access, and the interiors are modern and calm.
It is characterized by being usable for a wide range of scenes, such as business entertainment, dates, or elegant solo lunches like mine.
Surakkan website
If you want to know the latest menu or business hours, I recommend checking the official website.
You might be able to check seasonal menus and reservation status.
I will post a link at the end of the article, so please check it out.
Surakkan menu
The menu structure is based on “Royal Korean Cuisine” while incorporating Japanese ingredients and delicate seasoning.
There are plenty of menus that even those who don’t like spicy food can enjoy (for example, non-spicy soups and Bulgogi).
Dinner courses are also substantial, and the style of enjoying them with Makgeolli or wine is recommended.
Surakkan Joseon
The word “Surakkan” itself derives from the court culture of the Joseon Dynasty.
The food culture of that time was based on the idea of “medicine and food have the same origin” (eating is as important as taking medicine).
Even in modern stores, I feel that they inherit that spirit and aim to provide dishes that are good for the body and delicious.
Surakkan Korea
The charm of “Surakkan” is that it fits the city of Tokyo in a sophisticated form while respecting the authentic taste of Korea.
It dispels the stereotype that “Korean food = just spicy” and teaches the umami of broth and the depth of vegetables. It is truly a Korean restaurant for adults.
Conclusion: Definitely Revisiting!
If you are lost for lunch around Marunouchi, please visit Surakkan in the Shin-Marunouchi Building.
And please order “Sundubu Jjigae” without hesitation.
Surely, you will be surprised by its deep flavor, and vitality for afternoon work will well up.
Shop Information
Surakkan Shin-Marunouchi Building
5F Shin-Marunouchi Building, 1-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Official Website: https://suragan-marunouchi.com/food
Google Map:
