Terrace Korean restaurant near Gyeongbokgung for perilla soup: SABAL

A Korean meal on SABAL's outdoor terrace in Sajik-dong

A famous outdoor terrace restaurant near Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung

SABAL is an outdoor terrace Korean restaurant located in the commercial strip of the Gyeonghuigung-ui Achim complex 3 in Sajik-dong. Even the name SABAL, meaning 'bowl,' evokes healthy, upscale Korean cooking.

The plant styling is lovely, making it the perfect spot to enjoy Korean food outdoors with a drink and some atmosphere during the cool spring or fall seasons.

A restaurant on Hangeul Gaon-gil in Sajik-dong, in the Gyeonghuigung-ui Achim complex 3 commercial building

I visited for a meal after a non-face-to-face medication delivery protest, and after being in the middle of a fairly chaotic crowd, sitting on the quiet outdoor terrace with the sun on me brought back a sense of peace inside.

Good-atmosphere Korean restaurant near Gwanghwamun in Jongno with parking available

The interior also has quite a nice atmosphere. The tile interior, which feels like roof tiles, gives off an upscale, stylish vibe.

The large planter in the middle is not only lush and green but also spaces the tables apart just the right amount, making it a great place for a meal.

What's on the menu at SABAL?

SABAL's menu

The menu is divided very simply into rice, warm noodles, cold noodles, bibim (mixed) noodles, and salad, but so many items look delicious that haha, it's not easy to choose.

I feel like foreign friends would really, really love this place. Ordering several different dishes and sharing small bites of each would be so much fun.

Side dishes and the complimentary pumpkin porridge

Neat side dishes and complimentary pumpkin porridge

The neat side dishes come out as three covered items, and pumpkin porridge is served complimentary. The porridge is so delicious thanks to the cinnamon powder and crunchy almonds mixed in.

A beer on the terrace near Gyeongbokgung

A cold beer out on the terrace

I also ordered a bottle of Stella beer. A relaxed drink with the sun on you outdoors.

The nutty sesame dressing chicken hemp seed salad

Sesame dressing chicken hemp seed salad

This is a salad that satisfied me more than any salad I've had outside in a long time!!!! The vegetables were as fresh as if I'd made it at home myself, and the mix of nuts, almonds, and hemp seed toppings made it so delicious.

What I liked even more is that the dressing is so nutty, but it isn't overdone — just the right amount. The dressing only lightly covers part of the vegetables, so you get to enjoy the crunch of the vegetables without any greasiness.

How does the oyster mushroom black sesame perilla soup taste?

Oyster mushroom black sesame perilla soup

A perilla soup with oysters and black sesame perilla seeds — a complete health-boosting meal!!!

The noodles were so fragrant, like matcha or green tea, that I was surprised!

The nutty black sesame powder, the fresh plump oysters, the savory mushrooms, and even the chives — great for stamina! It was so good haha haha.

If you're in the middle of PT training or dieting, this is such a great restaurant since you can enjoy healthy food without worrying about calories.