Neon Sip Walker · 13 stories

Bar Lights

I write about visits to bars in Seoul, sharing impressions of the drinks and atmosphere. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceBucheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Bucheon kalguksu near Kkachiul with mom, dumplings to go: Jakdong

Jakdong Hongdukkkae Kalguksu Bucheon Main Branch is a kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant in Jakdong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, near Kkachiul Station. The writer and her mom shared 2 servings of kalguksu and 1 order of meat dumplings, and were happy with the chewy noodles, generous seafood, freshly made geotjeori kimchi and barley rice. The meat dumplings at Jakdong Hongdukkkae Kalguksu were good enough that the writer took another order home.

Written Nov 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Katsu and udon restaurant near SNU Station: 7-dish solo dinner, Kosi

Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch is a tonkatsu and udon restaurant on Bongcheon-ro in Gwanak, Seoul, near Exit 5 of Seoul National University Station. The blogger went alone around 7 p.m. and ordered seven dishes: tonkatsu, fried shrimp, udon, karaage, inari sushi (sweet tofu-pocket rice), vegetable tempura and croquette. The thick yet tender tonkatsu and the chewy Sanuki-style udon noodles stood out most. Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch is a good fit for solo diners who want to sample a bit of everything.

Written Nov 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulCafés

Solo evening café near SNU Station, tigres and brûlée pie: Pulse Line

Pulse Line Coffee is a coffee and dessert café with a red-and-black interior on Gwanak-ro 14na-gil in Gwanak, Seoul, near Seoul National University Station. On a solo evening visit, the writer ordered a hot Americano, a mulberry tigre, a caramel tigre and a brûlée pie for ₩19,300 in total and stayed for a slow break. Pulse Line Coffee is a good café near Seoul National University Station for relaxing alone over coffee and a few desserts.

Written Nov 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

SNU Station sandwich shop: pastrami vs Philly cheesesteak, Daily Fix

Daily Fix Seoul National University Entrance is a handmade burger and sandwich shop near Seoul National University Station, on the Sharosu-gil side of Gwanak, Seoul. On a solo visit, a pastrami sandwich, a Philly cheesesteak sandwich, chili cheese fries and a soda came to ₩42,600 in total, and both sandwiches were generously filled yet tasted distinctly different, so trying both was worth it. For a hearty, no-pressure solo meal near Seoul National University Station, the sandwiches at Daily Fix Seoul National University Entrance are a good choice.

Written Nov 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Bongcheon restaurant, solo kodari with big potatoes: Sangdo Neulbori

Sangdo Neulbori Bongcheon Station Branch is a braised kodari (semi-dried pollock) and barley rice restaurant at 379 Bongcheon-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Craving braised kodari, the writer went alone and ordered a small kodari for 26,000 won and barley bibimbap for 10,000 won, with big chunks of potato, sauce-soaked radish, soybean paste stew and steamed egg making it a filling meal. Sangdo Neulbori Bongcheon Station Branch is a braised kodari spot where even a solo diner gets a full, hearty spread.

Written Nov 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulBars

Anniversary room izakaya in Gwanak, Seoul: tuna tartare at Tomo

Tomo is a private-room izakaya (Japanese-style pub) on Sharosu-gil in Gwanak, Seoul, near Exit 3 of Seoul National University Station. For their wedding anniversary, a couple took a private room and slowly shared a sashimi and Nagasaki jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) set for two, sous-vide pork belly with aged kimchi, tuna tartare, and Cass beer with a cola, 144,000 won in total. Tomo suits an anniversary date for two who want to talk quietly over several dishes.

Written Nov 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Station seafood pub for a second round of drinks: Neoul Magok

Neoul Magok (너울 마곡본점) is an aged sashimi and seafood pub on the first floor of Magok IPARK, near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. After a first round with former coworkers, the writer came to Neoul Magok for a second round and ordered the small seafood platter (42,000 won) and spicy steamed seafood (45,000 won) with soju and beer, and kept reaching for more despite already being full. Neoul Magok is a great second-round spot for a group that wants plenty of seafood to share over a long chat.

Written Nov 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station Korean BBQ for 3 college friends, 160,800 won: Yuklab

Yuklab Gangnam (육랩 강남본점) is a beef and lamb Korean BBQ restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building on Teheran-ro 1-gil, near Gangnam Station Exit 11 in Seoul. The writer and two college friends ordered jingalbi (beef rib meat), sirloin, skirt meat and lamb chops, then added another round of jingalbi. They finished with kimchi fried rice and brisket jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) for 160,800 won in total for 3. The verdict: thanks to the tender jingalbi and stylish atmosphere, Yuklab Gangnam was a satisfying spot for a get-together with friends.

Written Oct 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBucheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Kkachiul Station seolleongtang family meal and roulette win: Hanchon

Hanchon Seolleongtang Bucheon Kkachiul Station Branch is a seolleongtang (ox bone soup) restaurant on the 2nd floor near Kkachiul Station in Ojeong-gu, Bucheon. The writer, her mum and her husband shared 2 servings of seolleongtang, a stone-plate assorted suyuk (boiled meat platter) and kimchi pancake, won a drink on the after-meal roulette, and took 2 seolleongtang home because the soup was so good. With a spacious, tidy dining room and a wide menu, Hanchon Seolleongtang is worth remembering for a family meal with parents.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong date restaurant, steak & French toast: Hôtel de Couture

Hôtel de Couture (오뗄드꾸뜨) is a French-style Western restaurant tucked into an alley in Yeonnam-dong, near Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer ordered the house steak (₩35,000), French toast (₩12,000) and a cider (₩3,000) for ₩50,000 in total, and was pleased with the tender steak, the French toast that was crisp outside and soft inside, the cozy atmosphere and the pretty plating. Hôtel de Couture is a good fit for a Yeonnam-dong date when you want a quiet meal and conversation.

Written Oct 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Yeongdeungpo izakaya private room and ramyeon risotto: Nani Byeolgwan

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch is an izakaya at 183 Mullae-ro in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, on the main road across from Times Square, with room seating on both the 1st and 2nd floors. Three former coworkers booked a room for 6pm and spent two hours over Shin Ramyun risotto, butter garlic king prawns and pork belly scallion skewers with Chamisul soju and Asahi draft beer. Dim and cozy, and busy with company dinner groups soon after opening, Nani Byeolgwan suits both small reunions and office get-togethers.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Wang mandu dumplings at a Yeongdeungpo pojangmacha bar: Yeokjeon

Yeokjeon Pojangmacha Yeongdeungpo is a retro pojangmacha bar on the second floor of a building in the Yeongdeungpo restaurant alley, right by Yeongdeungpo Station in Seoul. Three former coworkers came by for a second round after dinner and ordered boneless dakdoritang (spicy chicken stew) with jjolmyeon noodles and wang mandu (giant dumplings), along with Chamisul, Chum Churum and Cass. With walls papered in old ads and magazines, long group tables, soju at 3,900 won and draft beer at 2,900 won, Yeokjeon Pojangmacha suited a loud, easygoing second round perfectly.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored