Copper Spoon Diner · 12 stories

Copper Spoon, Seoul Cafes, Bars and Restaurants

Writes about cafes, restaurants, and bars around Seoul, one visit at a time. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Bars

Konkuk Univ. Station pub: aged kimchi gopdori-tang at Segyegwan

Segyegwan Gopdori-tang (세계관 곱도리탕) Konkuk Univ. branch is a newly opened, retro-style Korean pub serving gopdori-tang (spicy chicken and beef intestine stew) near Exit 2 of Konkuk Univ. Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. On a weekend evening with her boyfriend, the writer chose beef chuck flap yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) as the free starter, then ordered aged kimchi gopdori-tang (medium, 33,000 won) and aged kimchi tuna rolls (13,000 won). From the free starter and the review-event butter rice cake ice cream to the spicy gopdori-tang, Segyegwan Gopdori-tang is a satisfying pick for group nights and dates near Konkuk Univ.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu Station army stew and ₩4,000 soju on a Friday: Songtan

Songtan Jindaegwang Budae Jjigae Seongsu Branch is a budae jjigae (army stew) restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building right outside Seongsu Station Exit 1 in Seongdong, Seoul. After work on a Friday, the writer and her boyfriend ordered the Jindaegwang budae jjigae for two with a ramen add-on and a cider for 30,000 won, and enjoyed the spicy, vegetable-packed broth, unlimited self-bar refills and free dessert. With soju at 4,000 won and beer at 5,000 won, Songtan Jindaegwang Budae Jjigae is a rare great-value spot in Seongsu for dinner or a team night out.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Seolleung gamjatang restaurant for soju on a rainy Friday: Haeseonok

Haeseonok Seolleung Branch is a gamjatang (pork bone stew) and blue crab stew restaurant about a 5-minute walk from Exit 5 of Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, known for gamjatang piled with soybean powder. On a rainy Friday around 7 PM, the writer stopped by after work with her boyfriend for a small gamjatang (30,000 won) with soju, then finished with ramyeon noodles and fried rice (3,000 won). Haeseonok's gamjatang made a satisfying meal, with a broth where a nutty, rich soybean powder flavor follows the perilla aroma and a portion far bigger than a small.

Written Jun 20, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Konkuk Univ. izakaya for a date: tomato-broth Pasta Tang set at Ito

Ito is a basement Japanese izakaya in Gwangjin, Seoul, less than 3 minutes from Exit 2 of Konkuk Univ. Station. On a dinner date the writer ordered Ito's assorted sashimi and signature Ito Pasta Tang set for 65,000 won: the aged sashimi was soft with no fishy smell, and the Pasta Tang paired a rich tomato broth with kushikatsu (fried skewers). With partitioned seats and soft lighting, Ito is a strong pick near Konkuk Univ. for a date or a special night out.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu Station gyukatsu after work, making up for Japan: Gyuen Dang

Gyuen Dang Seongsu Main Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on the second floor of a building near Seongsu Station Exit 3 in Seongdong, Seoul. After work, the writer and her boyfriend ordered the tenderloin gyukatsu (24,000 won) and the hamburg steak omurice (17,000 won), and both the butter-grilled tenderloin and the egg-blanketed omurice won them over. Gyuen Dang made up for missing gyukatsu on a Japan trip and is a recommended Seongsu date-night meal.

Written Oct 15, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Anniversary date Korean BBQ in Gunja, Seoul with seat setup: Hwayangri

Hwayangri Jeongyuk Sikdang Main Branch is a hanwoo (Korean beef) BBQ restaurant on Gunja-ro in Gwangjin, Seoul, near Exit 5 of Children's Grand Park Station. The writer booked Hwayangri Jeongyuk Sikdang for an anniversary with her boyfriend, visited on a weekday evening, and ordered the bongseokswe hanwoo mixed platter (96,000 won), cheese steamed egg and doenjang sulbap. Staff grilled the meat quickly over real charcoal on a wire grate, so the couple could talk comfortably. Hwayangri Jeongyuk Sikdang is a solid anniversary date spot for anyone who wants hanwoo without the hassle of grilling.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station Korean BBQ date with cumin lamb chops: Yuklab Gangnam

Yuklab Gangnam (육랩 강남본점) is a beef and lamb chop Korean BBQ restaurant on the 2nd floor near Exit 11 of Gangnam Station, Seoul. On an early weekend booking, the writer and her boyfriend shared the 2-person Yuklab set (67,000 won), eating jingalbi (boneless beef rib), toshisal (hanger steak) and lamb chops in order, while the black interior and partitioned seats set a date-night mood. The lamb chops dipped in cumin powder were the top pick, making Yuklab Gangnam a Gangnam Station date-night BBQ spot worth returning to.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu eel buffet for an early weekend dinner date: Songnim Bok

Songnim Bok Jangeo Unlimited Freshwater Eel Seongsu Branch is an all-you-can-eat charcoal-grill restaurant for eel and meat, tucked down an alley off Seongdeokjeong-gil in Seongsu, Seongdong, Seoul. On a weekend Seongsu date, the writer and her boyfriend went for an early dinner of unlimited freshwater eel (29,900 won), grilled their own pork belly and duck neck, and finished with mul makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles in broth); the thick eel had no fishy taste and didn't feel like buffet quality. Songnim Bok has only about 10 seats, so book ahead or arrive early, but it is a Seongsu eel buffet worth returning to.

Written Jul 14, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Seolleung date izakaya with Fukuoka-level mentaiko motsunabe: Momiji

Momiji Seolleung Branch is a Japanese izakaya with private rooms for every table, near Seolleung Station Exit 2 in Gangnam, Seoul. A couple just back from Fukuoka ordered the mentaiko motsunabe (cod roe and beef intestine hot pot, 32,000 won) and the small seasonal sashimi platter (55,000 won), and were pleased with the mild, not-too-salty roe, the large, bouncy beef intestines and the 10-plus kinds of sashimi. Momiji Seolleung Branch is a quiet room izakaya in Seolleung that suits a date or a business dinner.

Written Jul 17, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Korean BBQ date with free beef doenjang stew: Gogikkun

Gogikkun Kimchunbae Gangnam is a charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ restaurant a 5-minute walk from Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station in Seoul. On a date with her boyfriend, the writer ordered the 71,000 won couple set of PRIM skirt steak, PRIM short rib and premium pork belly (ogyeopsal), added half-price pork skin, and received a free beef doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) through the Naver receipt review event. With partitioned seating and free corkage, Gogikkun Kimchunbae Gangnam works well for both a Gangnam Station date and a group dinner.

Written Aug 6, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeocho, SeoulBars

Nonhyeon izakaya for two: spicy motsunabe and fresh noodles at Gobusi

Gobusi Nonhyeon Branch is a Japanese-style izakaya 3 minutes on foot from Nonhyeon Station in Seocho, Seoul, where motsunabe (beef offal hotpot) is such a signature that the bar sells it as a meal kit. Two people ordered the spicy motsunabe (34,000 won) with a fresh noodle add-on (2,000 won), plus fried chicken skin (11,000 won) and salmon sashimi (27,000 won), splitting the night into a first and second round. With big pieces of beef intestine, tofu and tsukune (chicken meatballs), Gobusi's motsunabe was filling enough to serve as a full first-round meal for two.

Written Aug 8, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Gunja Station Korean pub: rainy-day shrimp minari pancake, Saechamjip

Saechamjip is a Korean pub with private rooms three minutes on foot from Gunja Station Exit 5 in Gwangjin, Seoul. On a rainy weekday evening two diners ordered the smoky brisket soft tofu stew at 18,900 won, the whole shrimp minari pancake at 18,900 won and gamtae seaweed rolls at 6,900 won with soju and draft beer. Between the flavour, the portions and the prices, Saechamjip is a 200% return visit.

Written Aug 15, 2026Sponsored

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