Menu Traveler · 54 stories

Across the Menu

I write about restaurants I visit and meals I try in Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Cafés · Shopping

PlaceSongpa, SeoulThings to do

Picnic set rental for a sunset date in Olympic Park: Picnic Changgo

Picnic Changgo is a self-service picnic mat rental shop near Hanseongbaekje Station (Line 9) in Songpa, Seoul, that rents out picnic sets for Olympic Park. The writer and his girlfriend packed only a lunchbox, rented the Backrest Chair Set for ₩17,900 (3 hours by default), added 2 hours by joining a review event, and spent 5 hours on the lawn by the Olympic Park entrance until sunset. Picnic Changgo's set covers the mats, chairs, table and blanket, so a couple can just show up for a picnic date.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro 3-ga burger joint, solo two-burger Friday dinner: BAS Burger

BAS Burger Euljiro Branch is an American-style handmade burger restaurant on basement level 1 of Theso Soho Hotel, near Exit 10 of Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. On a Friday at 6 pm, a solo diner had a mushroom burger set, a mozzarella chicken burger and a milkshake at BAS Burger Euljiro Branch for 30,800 won in total, along with the signature James Gam potato chips, which are free and unlimited when dining in. When the two burgers started to feel greasy, the milkshake and zero cola balanced them out, making BAS Burger Euljiro Branch a very satisfying solo meal.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulRestaurants

Daytime soju Korean BBQ near Eunpyeong-gu Office: 600g pork, Yukjjeup

Yukjjeup Nokbeon (육쯥 녹번점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant specializing in Jirisan aged pork, near Nokbeon Station and the main gate of Eunpyeong-gu Office in Eunpyeong, Seoul. Two friends ordered the Yukjjeup 600g sampler (₩54,000) at lunch and drank ₩1,000 opening-event soju, and the aged pork neck, thick-cut pork belly and gabrisal (pork shoulder cap) the owner grilled for them were juicy and pleasantly chewy. Yukjjeup Nokbeon is a great Nokbeon Station BBQ spot for aged pork and soju from midday.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magongnaru gopchang grilled with green onion kimchi: Pujim Gopchang

Pujim Gopchang Magongnaru Branch is a beef gopchang (grilled small intestine) restaurant about a 4-minute walk from Exit 2 of Magongnaru Station in Gangseo, Seoul. On a weekday evening, two friends ordered the Pujim half platter, 600g for 59,000 won, which came with pre-grilled gopchang and a mini gopchang hot pot. Grilling green onion kimchi and seasoned chives on the stone plate alongside the gopchang was the standout combination. With no gamey smell, good ventilation and 2 hours of free parking at the Doosan The Landpark underground garage, Pujim Gopchang Magongnaru Branch is a great after-work spot for two over drinks.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulBars

Jamsil date pub for cream jjamppong, kimchi pizza tangsuyuk: Wareureu

Wareureu Mansion Bangi Branch (와르르맨숀 방이점) is a Korean pub on the 2nd floor at the entrance of the Bangi-dong food alley, near Exit 10 of Jamsil Station in Songpa, Seoul. After a date at Seokchon Lake, the writer and his girlfriend had ₩100 draft beer before 7pm, Wareureu Banjeom cream jjamppong (creamy seafood noodles), kimchi pizza tangsuyuk (sweet-and-sour fried pork) and upside-down soju, and the bill came to about ₩50,000 even though they ate until full. The non-spicy cream jjamppong noodles paired with the kimchi pizza tangsuyuk were the hidden best combo for a date at Wareureu Mansion Bangi Branch.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Blue Ribbon hot pot in Gildong: gopchang, ramyeon, somyeon, Sinjuokmi

Sinjuokmi Gildong Direct Branch is a 24-hour sundaeguk (blood sausage soup) and haejangguk (hangover soup) restaurant near Exit 1 of Gildong Station in Gangdong, Seoul, selected for the 2024 Blue Ribbon Survey. For dinner the writer ordered the spicy pork gopchang (intestine) hot pot at ₩35,000, added the included ramyeon noodles, finished with somyeon from the self-serve bar and emptied the pot to the bottom. With chewy gopchang free of any off smell and a spicy, bracken-scented broth, Sinjuokmi Gildong Direct Branch is a good stop in Gildong when that craving hits.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Itaewon ramen shop for a weekday date: torched chashu at Okagura

Okagura Ramen is a Japanese ramen shop with house-made noodles near Itaewon Station exit 4 and Yongsan-gu Office in Yongsan, Seoul. On a weekday evening the writer and his girlfriend ordered Okagura Ramen's tonkotsu ramen (13,000 won) and a level-2 umakara tonkotsu with extra chashu and egg (17,000 won), then finished the broth with raw garlic and free rice. Thanks to its torch-seared, tender chashu and chewy noodles, Okagura Ramen is a ramen shop worth recommending for dinner before or after a date in Itaewon.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulBars

Indoor waterfall bar in Gangnam: duck set, spicy hot pot at Arigyegok

Arigyegok Gangnam (아리계곡 강남점) is an Asian-style Korean pub near Exit 11 of Gangnam Station in Seoul, with an indoor waterfall and wooden deck bridges that feel like a mountain valley brought indoors. On a weekday evening, two friends walked in without a reservation, swapped the hot pot in the 2-person duck set for the spicy hangover chicken hot pot, and paid ₩41,800 in total, including the mud duck crepe. With its atmosphere, flavor, portions and friendly service, Arigyegok Gangnam is an easy pick for meeting up near Gangnam Station.

Written Oct 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulBars

Sadang Station izakaya for a light ₩32,900 second round: Cheonjan

Cheonjan (천잔) is a Japanese-style izakaya tucked inside the food alley off Exit 10 of Sadang Station in Dongjak, Seoul. After a first round, two friends ordered the Cheonjan sweet shrimp (₩18,900) and cracker-tossed fries (₩14,000) à la carte for ₩32,900 total with soju. They ate the sweet shrimp three ways: with soy sauce, dipped in egg yolk over rice, and wrapped in seaweed. Cheonjan is a good Sadang Station izakaya for a light drink over one raw dish and one fried dish.

Written Oct 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulBars

Sinchon bar for two, ₩51,600: gopdoritang and DIY fried rice, Yeokjeon

Yeokjeon Pojangmacha Sinchon Branch (역전포장마차 신촌점) is a retro pojangmacha-style (Korean street-tent) bar on the 2nd floor of the Yeonpo building in the Sinchon food alley, Seodaemun, Seoul. On a weekday evening, two friends started the night with a small boneless hanwoo gopdoritang (spicy chicken and beef intestine stew) at spice level 2, kkakdugi cheese flying fish roe fried rice and 3 bottles of soju, for a total of ₩51,600. With ₩3,900 soju and food that comes out right away, Yeokjeon Pojangmacha Sinchon Branch is an easy, relaxed spot for drinks with a friend.

Written Oct 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jonggak sashimi bar, aged sashimi & perilla noodles: Parang Haenyeojip

Parang Haenyeojip Jongno Branch (파랑해녀집 종로본점) is an aged sashimi and seafood restaurant with a giant ocean-wave screen, tucked into the Youth Street alley by Jonggak Station in Jongno, Seoul. On a weekday evening, after booking on Naver, two friends sat by the window and shared the small aged sashimi platter (Spanish mackerel, salmon, red sea bream and flounder), perilla oil makguksu (buckwheat noodles) and a bottle of soju for ₩61,500 in total. The four chewy, non-fishy sashimi cuts paired well with the nutty perilla oil makguksu, making Parang Haenyeojip Jongno Branch a good pick for drinks in a seaside mood.

Written Oct 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Date-night tonkatsu near Dunchondong Station: two ebi fry combos, Riae

Riae Premium Olympic Park Branch is an aged tonkatsu restaurant in Seongnae-dong, Gangdong, Seoul, right across from Olympic Park's North Gate 2. On a weekend evening date, the writer and his girlfriend ordered the fillet + ebi fry (fried shrimp) for 22,000 won and the premium special loin + ebi fry for 23,000 won, 45,000 won in total, and both left full without any refills. Riae Premium Olympic Park Branch is a solid date spot near Dunchondong Station, with an Olympic Park stroll right after dinner.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored