Cafe Perch Sitter · 42 stories
Writes about cafes tucked into Seoul's older neighborhoods. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Food & snacks · Shopping · Bars · Hair & beauty salons
Athlonga (아스론가) is a pasta restaurant and casual brunch & wine bar on the 3rd floor of a building near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. The writer went alone around 7 pm for a salchisal (chuck flap) steak and Athlonga's 24-hour-aged homemade tiramisu, and the friendly staff made eating solo feel easy. Athlonga is a comfortable Dongdaemun DDP restaurant for a date or a meal for one.
Dance Dance Dance Seoul Station is a baguette sandwich brunch shop on the third basement floor (B3) of Grand Central at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. Returning at lunchtime after two months, the writer ate alone, ordering the strawberry tofu cream cheese baguette in place of the discontinued pistachio option, plus a decaf iced Americano, and found the filling custard-sweet and not greasy despite usually avoiding cream cheese. Dance Dance Dance's strawberry tofu cream cheese baguette is worth recommending even to people who dislike cream cheese.
B421 is a dining bar tucked in an alley near Sookmyung Women's University Station in Namyeong-dong, Yongsan, Seoul, pouring wine, whisky, craft beer and cocktails alongside steak, pasta, pizza and cheese plates. After watching a baseball game, the writer stopped by B421 alone on a Sunday and ordered the signature cocktail Namyeong-dong Lady, the large mixed 421 Plate and a Junebug cocktail, and fell for the apricot jam paired with crackers and cured meat on the plate. B421 is a satisfying pick when you want a cocktail and generous bar snacks in peace.
Dooblock Isu (듀블럭 이수역점) is a Western restaurant near Isu Station in Seocho, Seoul, serving European brunch and coffee by day and casual dining with wine in the evening. At lunch the writer ordered a pistachio jambon-beurre (ham and butter) sandwich, a mortadella havarti sandwich, a decaf iced americano and red velvet cake; the sandwiches were so big that the leftovers were taken home. With a pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff, Dooblock Isu is a good pick for a wedding invitation gathering or a brunch date.
Bbangeoniseuta (빵어니스타) is a vegan bakery café a 3-minute walk from Itaewon Station in Yongsan, Seoul, making breads and desserts with rice flour and coconut sugar instead of eggs, wheat flour, dairy or cane sugar. From the café's new bingsu (Korean shaved ice) lineup, the writer ordered the vegan pistachio bingsu and enjoyed its clean oat milk ice, its rich, dense pistachio sauce and a portion big enough for two. For a healthier bingsu in Itaewon, Bbangeoniseuta's vegan pistachio bingsu won't disappoint.
Boulangerie Copain is a European-style bakery on Huiujeong-ro in Mangwon-dong, Mapo, Seoul, featured on the Korean TV show Master of Living (생활의 달인) for its croissants and baguettes. The writer took home an americano, a Colby Jack sandwich, a basil sandwich and a chocolate banana croissant for lunch, and was especially impressed by the baguette in the Colby Jack sandwich. Verdict: Boulangerie Copain is the best Mangwon bakery the writer has tried nearby, and a definite return visit.
Jackjack Anguk is a handmade burger restaurant on Yulgok-ro near Anguk Station in Jongno, Seoul, run by a chef who appeared on Culinary Class Wars. Joining the trend a little late, the writer ordered 2 Chili's cheese sticks (fried whole mozzarella) and the Jack Morning burger with a fried egg and hash brown; the cheese sticks stood out for their endlessly stretchy cheese and crisp coating, and the Jack Morning for its hearty build. Jackjack's Chili's cheese sticks have real presence, and even one is filling on its own.
Tag42 Dongdaemun is a toast and specialty coffee brunch café on Toegye-ro 64-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul, near Dongdaemun Station. The writer ate Tag42's bestselling egg ham cheese toast in the café and took away a spicy chicken toast with extra egg and bacon. With a bar table that suits solo diners, a friendly owner and unlimited bread toast when you buy a 2,900 won Americano, Tag42 Dongdaemun is a good stop when you are craving an egg toast.
Deombeogeo Yongsan is a premium fast-food craft burger shop on Yongridan-gil near Sinyongsan Station in Yongsan, Seoul, open until 4 AM. On an impulse visit, the writer swapped the side of a B.L.T chicken burger set for Dumb Chicken and got a crispy chicken patty so big it stuck out of the bun, then took the extra Dumb Chicken home in takeout packaging. Deombeogeo Yongsan is a giant chicken burger spot worth recommending to anyone with a big appetite.
Sanchaega Hanjeongsik Meokgol Main Branch is a Korean set meal restaurant serving cauldron-cooked rice near Meokgol Station Exit 5 in Jungnang, Seoul. The writer and a friend booked through Naver for 5:30 PM and shared two 18,000-won gondre (Korean thistle) cauldron rice special sets, a course that runs from grilled flounder, dried pollack, deodeok root and spicy stir-fried pork to sungnyung (scorched-rice tea), with home-style banchan (side dishes) they loved. Sanchaega Hanjeongsik Meokgol Main Branch offers both good value and great taste, making it a fine place to take your parents.
Dance Dance Dance Seoul Station is a baguette sandwich and brunch shop on basement level 3 of Grand Central near Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. The writer returned when the pistachio baguette came back after a long absence and took away a jambon (ham) pistachio baguette. Its pistachio tofu cream cheese is gently sweet, and paired with the not-too-salty jambon, the combination was addictive. Dance Dance Dance Seoul Station is a sandwich shop worth revisiting to work through each new seasonal menu.
Seochon Due Trattoria is an Italian restaurant on the second floor of a building in a Seochon alley near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno, Seoul. The writer went to Seochon Due Trattoria in a hurry after the original plan fell through and ordered the caprese and the oven-baked flatfish. With a balsamic-forward caprese and two large pieces of flatfish, Seochon Due Trattoria delivered on both care and portion size, making it a place worth a return visit.
