Gwangjin Lamplight · 9 stories

Under Bar Lights

I write about bar visits and evening drinks around Seoul. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Shopping · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Guui Station Korean BBQ with my father-in-law: iron-lid set, Ssamchae

Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal is an iron-lid pork belly restaurant on Jayang-ro near Guui Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. On a revisit with her sister-in-law and father-in-law, the writer had staff grill the iron-lid half set of pork belly, pork neck, pork jowl and pork skin, then finished with fried rice and kimchi cold noodles, while her father-in-law praised the food throughout the meal. For a family meal with elders, Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal was a big success.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Jayang Station Korean BBQ after a run: beer and pork skirt at Donstar

Donstar Charcoal Grill is an aged-pork charcoal BBQ restaurant near Jayang Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. After a run, a couple booked through Naver and ordered 3 servings of pork skirt, pork belly and pork neck with beer. Staff did the grilling from the first sear, cut the meat into bite-size pieces, and served doenjang stew, green onion salad and a less-salty meljeot (salted anchovy sauce), so the two finished all 3 servings. Donstar Charcoal Grill is a Jayang Station BBQ spot worth returning to for its taste, service and pleasant setting, from date nights to team dinners.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Konkuk Univ. after-work pub: soju-beer & potato rice cakes, Ari Valley

Ari Valley Konkuk (아리계곡 건대점) is a mood-lit Korean pub serving cooked bar dishes on Achasan-ro 33-gil near Konkuk Univ. Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. After work on a weekday night, the writer and friends ordered the owner's recommended signature dishes, cheese buldak (spicy fire chicken) in an earthenware pot (₩23,900) and fluffy potato rice cakes (₩12,900), with somaek (soju mixed with beer). Ari Valley Konkuk delivered on tasty bar food, photogenic lighting and friendly staff, making it a solid Konkuk Univ. bar for dates and group nights.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seoulsup Italian, Hangul Day date & ₩85,000 for two: Billadeubeulleu

Billadeubeulleu Seongsu (빌라드블루 성수) is a blue-and-white, European-style Italian restaurant on Seoulsup 2-gil near Seoulsup Station in Seongdong, Seoul. For a Hangul Day lunch date in Seoulsup, the writer and her husband ate their fill of aligot cheese lasagna, abalone squid ink risotto and polpo mambo, with a radler and a Coke Zero, for ₩85,000 for two. Of the three dishes, the polpo mambo at Billadeubeulleu Seongsu was the tastiest and a must-order.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Guui-dong hair salon tassel cut for an awkward bob: Ava Hair Gangbyeon

Ava Hair Gangbyeon (에이바헤어 강변점) is a hair salon on Achasan-ro in Guui-dong, Gwangjin, Seoul, where the writer got a tassel cut (23,000 won) to tidy an awkwardly grown-out bob. Even though Ava Hair Gangbyeon was busy on a weekday morning, the designer carefully shampooed before cutting and finished with a styling blow-dry, and the thinned-out volume and cleaner ends made the bob much easier to style. For an in-between bob that needs easy upkeep, the tassel cut at Ava Hair Gangbyeon was a satisfying choice.

Written Oct 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Konkuk Univ. Station pub: whelk noodles and fried peppers, Simsuljip

Simsuljip Konkuk University Entrance Main Branch (심술집) is a Korean pub near Konkuk Univ. Station in Gwangjin, Seoul, also known as a jeon (Korean pancake) house, with a wide range of signature drinking dishes. Arriving hungry after a swim with a friend at around 6 p.m., the writer ordered golbaengi somyeon (spicy whelk with thin noodles) and gochu twigim (fried peppers) with draft beer and 2 bottles of soju, and the tangy heat of the noodles and the crunch of the peppers kept each other interesting. For whelk noodles, fried peppers and smooth draft beer near Konkuk Univ. Station, Simsuljip is a safe bet.

Written Aug 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Jayang-dong, Seoul for a husband's birthday: Ssamchae

Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal (쌈채솥뚜껑삼겹살) is an iron-lid and stone-plate Korean BBQ restaurant on Jayang-ro in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. For her husband's birthday, the writer visited Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal in the early evening and ordered the iron-lid half set (pork belly, pork neck, pork jowl and pork skin) with draft beer, chatting comfortably while a staff member grilled the meat at the table. With a self-serve ssam vegetable bar and a finish of kimchi-mari guksu (cold kimchi noodles) and fried rice, Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal was a no-regrets choice for a special-occasion dinner.

Written Aug 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Retro bar in Konkuk, Seoul under ₩30,000 for two: Minji Superette

Minji Superette (민지슈퍼) is a retro bar and casual restaurant in a Konkuk University Station alley in Gwangjin, Seoul, styled like an old neighborhood corner store. Cheddar cheese tteokbokki, odeng-tang (fish cake soup) and dried filefish with two draft beers and one bottle of soju came to under 30,000 won for two people, and Minji Superette also has clean gender-separated bathrooms and a self-serve tableware corner. For cheap drinks with a retro mood near Konkuk University, Minji Superette is an easy recommendation.

Written Sep 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Konkuk University sashimi bar set for three and jjamppong: Huto

Huto is a second-floor izakaya bar near Konkuk University Station in Gwangjin, Seoul, serving aged sashimi and charcoal-grilled skewers. Three of us ordered the signature set (9-piece assorted sashimi plus 6 skewers) for 49,500 won, added a ginkgo skewer, and finished with whole squid seafood jjamppong (spicy noodle soup) for 19,000 won. Huto works best for group dinners where you cover the table with anju (drinking snacks) and stay a long while.

Written Sep 5, 2026Sponsored
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