Standing Tab Keeper · 9 stories

A Standing Tab in Euljiro

Writes about Seoul's small bars, one visit and one drink order at a time. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Cafés · Shopping

PlaceGangnam, SeoulBars

Sinsa seafood bar with cheese Busan fish cake tteokbokki: Ppeol

Ppeol (뻘) is a seafood bar in a basement on Gangnam-daero 154-gil, near Sinsa Station in Seoul. Over a dinner with friends, the group ordered Busan fish cake tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) for 33,000 won, Beolgyo prawn gambas for 33,000 won and a clear seafood stew packed with fresh seafood for 44,000 won, and the writer named the cheese-topped Busan fish cake tteokbokki the best dish. With a comfortable, uncrowded atmosphere and well-spaced tables, Ppeol is an easy pick for small groups meeting near Sinsa Station.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Rice bowl spot near Seokchongobun Station: pork bowl and cheese cutlet

Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch (행복한우동가게 석촌호수점) is a 24-hour udon, rice bowl and pork cutlet restaurant near Seokchongobun Station in Songpa, Seoul. The writer ordered the flame-grilled spicy pork rice bowl (10,500 won) and the cheese pork cutlet (11,900 won) and was happy with both the smoky pork and the cheese oozing out of the cutlet. For two people, Haengbokhan Udon Gage's spicy flame-grilled pork bowl paired with the rich cheese cutlet is the combination to order.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGuro, SeoulRestaurants

Charcoal galbi in Guro, Seoul: ₩63,700 set for two, Jin Galbi

Cheonsanghyeon National Certified Jin Galbi Guro Digital branch is a charcoal-grilled galbi (Korean BBQ ribs) restaurant near Exit 1 of Namguro Station in Guro, Seoul, named after chef Cheon Sanghyeon, who spent 20 years as executive chef at the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae). Two diners ordered the 63,700 won Special Set (pork king ribs, fresh beef rib meat and beef chuck flap), and the galbi order came with unlimited shabu-shabu and self-bar refills. Jin Galbi is a good-value Seoul Korean BBQ spot for marinated pork king ribs and all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu in one meal.

Written Jul 10, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Gukbap lunch at Gildong Station: minari tofu samhap, Sinjuokmi

Sinjuokmi Gildong Direct Branch is a sundaeguk and gukbap (Korean pork soup and rice) restaurant near Exit 1 of Gildong Station in Gangdong, Seoul, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For lunch, the writer ordered the minari tofu samhap (₩38,000), wrapping tender pork head meat, minari (water dropwort), tofu and stir-fried kimchi into one bite. The writer then finished the rich broth with ramyeon noodles or porridge. With a spacious hall and an unlimited side-dish bar, Sinjuokmi Gildong Direct Branch is a solid pick for a hearty lunch near Gildong Station.

Written Jul 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido seafood kalguksu team lunch with self-serve sides: Gaetbeol-ui

Gaetbeol-ui Jogae Yeouido Main Branch is a clam and seafood restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, 367m from Exit 1 of National Assembly Station. Three coworkers from the same department ordered the giant seafood kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) lunch at ₩17,000 per person. It arrived in a big pot piled high with clams, whole squid and shrimp, and the restaurant also has an unlimited self-serve side dish bar and free corkage with no bottle limit. For a filling office lunch in a refreshing seafood broth, Gaetbeol-ui Jogae Yeouido Main Branch is a good choice.

Written Jul 18, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Cheonho Station hangover soup spot, rainy-day spicy bone soup: Boseung

Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch is a 24-hour gukbap (rice soup) and haejangguk (hangover soup) restaurant in Gangdong, Seoul, about a 5-minute walk from Cheonho Station. On a day of on-and-off rain, the writer ordered the spicy pork bone hangover soup (12,000 won), which came with big, meaty bones in a peppery broth that was hearty with rice stirred in. Boseung Hoegwan Cheonho Station Branch is a good choice whenever you want a spicy, filling bowl, at any hour.

Written Jul 22, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulBars

Jonggak after-work bar for margherita pizza and ribs: Sudowonui

Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo (수도원의 비밀 저장고) is a medieval monastery-themed dining pub on basement level 1 in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno, Seoul, near Jonggak Station. The writer went to Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo with friends after work for the Ribs Allowed After Confession (38,900 won pork ribs) and a margherita pizza with draft beer, and picked the tender ribs with crisp draft beer as the best combination. Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo suits a Jonggak Station date or a night out with friends when you want an unusual atmosphere and quality bar food.

Written Oct 7, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Korean BBQ popular set: pork belly and pork neck, Bongu Hwarro

Bongu Hwarro is a charcoal-grill Korean BBQ restaurant in the Star Palace building in Gangnam, Seoul, 400m from Gangnam Station Exit 11 and a 2-minute walk from CGV Gangnam. For a group meal the writer ordered the popular set of pork belly and pork neck, added naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), and received a bowl of ramyeon free of charge. With its high ceilings and strong ventilation, Bongu Hwarro keeps the smoke smell off your clothes and works well for company dinners and pre-wedding gatherings.

Written Sep 24, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

After-work drinks and charcoal skewers in Yeongdeungpo: Nani Byeolgwan

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch is a yakitori izakaya in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, a 10-minute walk from Yeongdeungpo Station Exit 5 and 2 minutes from Times Square. Stopping in after work, I used the table QR code to order the mentaiko egg roll at 20,000 won, pork belly and scallion skewers at 15,000 won and daechang (beef intestine) skewers at 12,000 won, and the skewers carried a gentle charcoal aroma. The private, screened-off seating makes Nani Byeolgwan an easy choice for a date or a catch-up with friends.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored

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