Mapo Next Seat · 5 stories

Second Chair, Seoul Bars and Kitchens

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

Date-night izakaya near Gyodae Station with yogurt ice cream: Siseon

Siseon Gyodae Branch is a 100-pyeong, retro-pub-style izakaya on basement level 1 near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul. On a date there, the writer had Suntory draft beer, yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) with hanwoo grade-1 brisket sashimi, and yogurt ice cream with fruit rings, and the staff thoughtfully brought a fan and offered a move to a private room. Siseon Gyodae Branch is an easy all-round pick near Gyodae Station for group dinners, after-work dates or a second round.

Written Jul 2, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Solo after-work ramen at City Hall Station: motsu, oolong, Mentsuru

Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a Japanese ramen shop in Jung-gu, Seoul, a 1-minute walk from City Hall Station Exit 10, with a bar counter and open kitchen that suit solo diners. After work, the writer ordered motsu ramen (beef offal ramen) with extra pork belly chashu and a canned oolong tea, and especially loved the rich broth, springy noodles and broth-soaked bamboo shoots. Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a good fit for anyone near City Hall Station who wants a rich bowl of ramen for a solo meal, a solo drink or a hangover cure.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Nonhyeon seafood pub for team dinners: sea bream salt gimbap, Sanhocho

Sanhocho Nonhyeon is a seafood and aged sashimi pub near Nonhyeon Station Exit 3 in Gangnam, Seoul, serving seasonal seafood from Tongyeong. At Sanhocho Nonhyeon the writer had the pick-your-own 3-fish sashimi set (half a live mackerel, one live squid and sea bream) for 70,000 won, crab tomalley pasta for 25,000 won and salt gimbap for 4,000 won, and salt gimbap topped with sea bream, horaegi-jeot (salted baby squid) and aged kimchi was the best bite. Sanhocho Nonhyeon is a solid pick for group gatherings and team dinners that want aged sashimi with plenty of side dishes.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored

PlaceDongdaemun, SeoulRestaurants

Kyung Hee burger shop: shoyu mushroom & truffle mayo, 1986 Shibuya

1986 Shibuya Burger is a Japanese-style handmade burger shop in a pub alley near Kyung Hee University's main gate in Dongdaemun, Seoul. The writer visited late one evening with a friend, ordering the Shibuya Iron-Plate Nobiru Cheese Burger set and the Shoyu Mushroom Burger. The writer was happy with the truffle mayo at the self-serve sauce bar, the free otoshi potato chips, the crispy hash brown and even the mouthwash-and-floss kit. Verdict: Kyung Hee and HUFS students looking for a handmade burger should head to 1986 Shibuya Burger.

Written Oct 7, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gongdeok sushi omakase lunch with 3-hour free parking: Jeulgeoun

Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro is a sushi omakase restaurant near Gongdeok and Daeheung stations in Mapo, Seoul, open since May 2026. For her mother's birthday, the writer's family booked the weekend lunch course, which ran from zucchini noodles to herring isobe-maki, striped jack mackerel and kinmedai rice cooked in a clay pot, with corkage-free wine and 3 hours of free parking at Gongdeok Park Xi Apartment. The course was a satisfying birthday meal, though Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro's lunch skipped omakase staples such as uni and sweet shrimp.

Written Aug 19, 2026Sponsored

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