Shrimp tomato pasta at an Ilsan brunch restaurant: Upstairs Kitchen

There are so many great-vibe restaurants on Bamridan-gil, but this time I visited Upstairs Kitchen Bamridan-gil Branch, where you can enjoy everything from brunch to pasta to steak. From brunch dates and blind dates to group gatherings, both the atmosphere and food quality are so good that I really, really recommend it ⭐️

Where is Upstairs Kitchen Bamridan-gil Branch, and what are the hours?

• Address: 5-25 Daesan-ro 11beon-gil, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, 1F
• Hours: 11:30–21:20

Floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the trees

The thing I liked most as soon as I walked in was the atmosphere. One whole side is a floor-to-ceiling window, so you get an unobstructed view of the lush green trees and scenery outside — the natural light was great and the whole place felt relaxed and easygoing.

It's great to come here for brunch during the day, and the atmosphere is clean and polished without being too much, so I thought it would also be perfect for a blind date or date spot. Photos turn out pretty too, and you can take in the view outside while you eat — I'd recommend Upstairs Kitchen to anyone who cares about atmosphere...!

What we ordered at Upstairs Kitchen

First off, what we ordered was the shrimp tomato pasta and the sirloin steak (300g)! We also got to try the bruschetta as part of a review event.

Shrimp tomato pasta, 21,000 won

🍝 Shrimp Tomato Pasta, ₩21,000. This pasta combines plump shrimp, fresh arugula, and a tomato sauce made in-house. First off, the seafood portion was much more generous than I expected. The shrimp weren't small or dry — they were plump and springy, with a great chewy texture, and there was plenty of it, so I never felt like it was lacking all the way through.

The tomato sauce, being made from scratch, wasn't just tangy — you could really taste the deep flavor and umami of the tomatoes. Fresh arugula was piled on top, and eating it in between bites gave a light, refreshing balance — the combination was really good.

300g sirloin steak, 54,000 won, medium rare

🥩 Sirloin Steak 300g, ₩54,000. The star of the day was, without question, the sirloin steak. At 300g it was a generous portion to share between two, and the moment it hit the table, the perfectly seared look immediately raised our expectations. We ordered it medium rare.

The outside had a proper sear, cooked to a mouthwatering finish, while the inside was juicy and moist. The outside was savory while the inside held onto the juices well, so each bite felt very soft and tender. I expected sirloin to have some chew to it, but it was much more tender than expected, with no toughness at all!

Handmade whole grain mustard sauce and chili wasabi sauce

The steak's own seasoning and flavor were great, but what I especially liked was the sauces served alongside it. Both the whole grain mustard sauce and the chili wasabi sauce are made in-house, and each has a completely different character, so it's fun to alternate between them. The whole grain sauce brings out the savory flavor of the sirloin while adding a pop of texture, and the chili wasabi sauce is spicy and clean, keeping things from feeling too heavy even as you keep eating the meat.

Bruschetta, 6,000 won with the review event

🥖 Bruschetta, ₩6,000. As an appetizer to whet the appetite before the meal, the bruschetta was really great for starting things off light. The crispy bread with the toppings on top gave a great texture, and it was fresh and savory — perfect to have a piece of before the main dishes arrive. This one is available if you participate in the review event, so recommended...!

Is Upstairs Kitchen a good date spot on Bamridan-gil?

Overall the food itself was great, but the trees seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows and the relaxed atmosphere made the whole meal even better at Upstairs Kitchen Bamridan-gil Branch. With everything from brunch to pasta to steak on the menu, it seems like a great place to swing by for a light brunch or to come for a proper meal. The atmosphere is especially clean and comfortable, so I think it would suit anyone looking for a Bamridan-gil date spot, blind-date location, or a good-vibe brunch restaurant :)