Western restaurant near Seoulsup for a solo weekday meal: Kongkase

I stopped by Kongkase Seongsu (콩카세 성수) during a trip to Seoulsup! I'd wanted to come for a while, so I took the chance to have a nice, relaxed meal. The inside has a really great vibe, and the service was friendly too, so this Western restaurant left me very satisfied.

Kongkase Seongsu opening hours and parking

Kongkase Seongsu is open from 11:30 to 21:30, with a break from 15:30 to 17:00. Last order is 14:30 for lunch and 20:30 for dinner.

• Seongdong Citizens' Sports Center: 5 min walk, ₩300 per 5 min
• Galleria Foret parking lot: 7 min walk, ₩2,000 per 10 min
• Ttukseom Stream Public Parking Lot: 10 min walk, ₩150 per 5 min
• Seoulsup Public Parking Lot: 13 min walk, ₩300 per 10 min

Where is the entrance to Kongkase Seongsu?

The entrance to Kongkase Seongsu isn't on the street; you have to go inside the building. The exterior gives off total European vibes, so it passed my taste test right away! I thought there'd be a door straight in from outside and got confused at first, but it turns out there's no door directly from the street, and the entrance is inside the building.

Kongkase Seongsu interior and seating

The restaurant has a fresh white-and-wood interior with a spoonful of plants mixed in. If I ever get a place of my own, I'd copy this look exactly; it was totally my taste. There are seats from tables for two to extra-large group tables, so it works for anything from a date to a get-together. There's also a spot near the entrance to hang your coat.

Is Kongkase Seongsu good for eating alone?

I came alone on a weekday, and the friendly staff made it comfortable. As soon as I sat down, a staff member kindly explained that you order from the menu by QR code at the table. None of my friends were free on a weekday, so I came to eat solo, but thanks to the kind service it wasn't awkward at all, haha.

Here's the menu. Everything sounded good and I agonized over it, but I was craving rice more than noodles that day, so I ordered the funghi risotto (₩18,000) and the tomato salad (₩12,000).

Warm bread served before the meal

Bread comes as standard at Kongkase Seongsu. Even though I was alone, they gave me two pieces, so generous! The bread came out warm, which I loved. I tore it into small pieces and dipped it in olive oil and balsamic, which was perfect for getting my appetite going.

What does the Kongkase Seongsu tomato salad taste like?

The tomato salad (₩12,000) at Kongkase Seongsu is a fresh, sweet-and-tangy starter built on tomato and tangerine, topped with a yuzu (Korean citron) dressing. I vowed I'd order it again on my next visit, no question! The kind of taste that brings back an appetite that had run off somewhere!

It looks so pretty and tastes fantastic too! I'd never thought of tomato and tangerine going together, but eaten together they match so well, haha.

Here and there were dabs of white and light-green sauce. The white one tasted like cheese full of soft milky flavor. It tasted like stracciatella, though the texture was more like cream cheese. The green sauce felt like avocado with something extra added, with a slightly bitter edge, and eaten with the sweet-sour tomato it really brought out a classy, rich flavor.

How is the funghi risotto at Kongkase Seongsu?

The funghi risotto (₩18,000) at Kongkase Seongsu is a creamy mushroom risotto topped with jambon (Korean-style cured ham) and crisply seared mushrooms. Even the bowl it came in was pretty, so the look of it passed with flying colors~

Overall the funghi risotto wasn't intense; it was soft and subtle, great for enjoying mild flavors. The risotto was cooked just right, nutty, with the mushroom flavor really coming through.

When you want a little punch, the ham on top is the ideal partner. The crisply seared mushrooms had a deep flavor too, and eaten together with the ham the balance was great, haha.

Kongkase Seongsu: final verdict on a solo weekday meal

Kongkase Seongsu is a Western restaurant that's perfect for a nice meal when you're at Seoulsup in Seongsu!! The interior is full of charm, and from the plating to the taste there was nothing lacking. If you're wondering what side to order, I'd especially recommend the tomato salad. It was seriously good, and with Kongkase's own character shining through, it's the kind of taste that makes you want it again.

I hear it's also famous as a restaurant featured on the Korean TV show Master of Living (생활의 달인), so next time I'll try the beef Wellington and the lasagna too, haha. That wraps up today's honest review from your Jjeopjjeop Doctor!