Gyeongsan Korean restaurant with individual set meals: Cafe Dongi

Today, I’m writing about Cafe Dongi, a great Yeungnam University spot near my workplace where I went for lunch with Dad.

Cheonma Art Center parking and getting there

Free parking is available. After entering either the Cheonma Art Center parking lot or the Yeungnam University lot, you need to register your parking at the Cafe Dongi counter!

After parking, head straight to Cheonma Art Center, which is right behind it~ There was a performance on the day I visited, so the entrance was blocked and I had to walk around quite a bit, but I could enter through the entrance on the exact opposite side of the building!

There are standing signs like these along the way, so you can follow them. I also asked people nearby, and they kindly pointed me in the right direction :)

What are the wait and atmosphere like?

When I arrived on the second floor, there were already so many people at Cafe Dongi. Everyone who got in the elevator with me was heading there too, hahaha. The restaurant posts its break time at the entrance, so it would be good to keep that in mind before visiting!

Cafe Dongi Yeungnam University Art Center Branch sometimes has a wait because it draws university staff, Yeungnam University students, and local visitors. Thankfully, there was no actual wait on the day I went, though it was nearly full.

This Yeungnam University restaurant had such a clean look, with lots of tables for four to six people. There were definitely lots of students and staff having meals there.

There was also private group seating, and lots of people seemed to have reserved it before coming! Reservations are available, so if you’re visiting as a group, contact the restaurant in advance.

High chairs and disposable aprons are available too. Families with young children can comfortably use what the restaurant has provided.

Tablet ordering and choosing our menu

The setup made it easy and convenient to order and pay using the tablet placed at each table.

We ordered spicy pork and webfoot octopus! Individual set meals are reasonably priced at around ₩10,000, so it seems many people looking for a Gyeongsan Yeungnam University restaurant come to Cafe Dongi Yeungnam University Art Center Branch.

What you can use at the self-service bar

There are various memberships and events, so it might be nice to take part!

Hair ties were placed at every table..! Aren’t little touches like this so lovely? Eating can be surprisingly uncomfortable when your hair is long and you don’t have a hair tie, so this thoughtful detail really stood out.

There’s a self-service bar in the middle of the main hall! You can use it freely.

One side of the self-service bar has rice, roasted seaweed, gangjeong (crispy sweet snack), peanut caramel, and hovenia tea. They would make nice little snacks before your meal arrives or after you finish :)

Across from it was a space where you could fry your own eggs! Oil and salt were provided, with trays of eggs set out. Eggs are expensive these days... so this service was really nice too.

While waiting, I looked outside at the clear sky that felt so much like an autumn sky... ☁️ Cafe Dongi Yeungnam University Art Center Branch has wonderfully clear windows, so the view is another highlight.

A cute robot friend brought our food! Since the robot delivers it, it seems like the floor staff can save a little effort, which is nice :)

Individual set meals you do not have to share

Cafe Dongi’s charm is its generous individual set meal for every person! A neatly arranged meal is set out for each diner, so you can eat comfortably without sharing dishes. That seemed really convenient and nice.

I had visited Cafe Dongi’s Dongseong-ro branch a few times, but this was my first time at the Yeungnam University location. The interior was clean and pretty, and every dish came out beautifully arranged, which I really liked.

Webfoot octopus set meal and soybean paste stew

Here is the webfoot octopus set meal I ordered! It came as a full, substantial tray with rice, stew, the main octopus dish, and three side dishes.

The soybean paste stew comes as standard. Honestly, I initially thought, “Isn’t there too little in it?” and did not expect much, but it was richer and tastier than I expected... Cafe Dongi does soybean paste stew well ✨

There are lots of good places to eat around Yeungnam University, but Cafe Dongi has such a varied menu that on days when no one can agree on what to eat, this is exactly where to come :)

The set meal with plump webfoot octopus was ₩16,900. Given the neat presentation and service touches such as the self-service bar, it did not feel particularly expensive.

The three side dishes were the same for both meals, though I’m not sure whether they change each time! On the day I visited, they were gungchae (stems of lettuce), stir-fried anchovies, and dried shredded radish.

An honest take on spicy pork stir-fry and sides

The spicy pork stir-fry was even more affordable at ₩12,900. There are also many set meals below ₩10,000, so have a look through the menu.

The spicy pork stir-fry also came piled high with cabbage! It was enough for one average adult, and if you need more, ordering a side to go with it would be a good idea.

Dad changed his stew to kimchi stew! As I recall, there was a ₩1,000 extra charge. If the spicy pork feels a little light, a second round with kimchi stew and rice would be great too.

Cafe Dongi’s spicy pork stir-fry was clean-tasting, delicious, and had none of that unpleasant meat smell! You do not need to go far for a good Yeungnam University restaurant. Come to Cafe Dongi for a generous, tasty meal.

The kimchi pancake was a good-value side in the ₩2,000 range. I was a little disappointed because the flour ratio was high ㅜ It would be so, so nice with just a little more kimchi. Still, it is an inexpensive side that is easy to order!

The tangsuyuk (sweet-and-sour pork)... I was honestly shocked when I saw it! Such huge chunks of meat came out, but there were no scissors, so I thought I’d just dip them in sauce and tear into them with my teeth. Oh my goodness... the meat was so tender that it tore apart easily...!! (Me, managing just fine without scissors...)

Personally, I found the tangsuyuk much tastier than the kimchi pancake :)

Returning trays at the drop-off station was a little disappointing

Finished dishes go to the tray-return station~! Since this part was self-service too, it was a little disappointing... Everything else about Cafe Dongi was good, but the brazier and tray were quite heavy, so I felt a bit nervous carrying them to return them... I know it is for table turnover, but it would be great if this could be improved a little :)

Beyond that, Cafe Dongi Yeungnam University Art Center Branch had clear strengths: neatly prepared food and good-value prices. If you want a tidy, satisfying meal, visit Cafe Dongi, a great Gyeongsan Yeungnam University restaurant ❤️