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Third Glass, Seoul Bars and Restaurants

Writes about bars, restaurants, and cafes around Seoul. · Writes about: Bars · Cafés · Restaurants

Jongno 3-ga Korean BBQ for group dinners, 4 servings: Cham Dwaejitgan

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch (참돼짓간 종로본점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant serving rice-husk-smoked, charcoal-grilled pork on the ground floor of the Piccadilly Plus building near Exit 2-1 of Jongno 3-ga Station in Seoul, and staff grill the meat from start to finish. Right after opening on a Saturday, the table had 2 servings of Boseong green pork flower neck and 2 of pork belly (₩16,000 per 150g), plus steamed egg, Jirisan kudzu naengmyeon (cold noodles), margarine soy-sauce egg rice and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew); the no-splatter handmade grill and juicy meat stood out. For a good-value group dinner or gathering in Jongno 3-ga, Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch is worth booking ahead.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro burger pub: bacon cheeseburger vs cheeseburger at Daily Fix

Daily Fix Euljiro is a handmade burger restaurant serving 100% Korean beef (hanwoo) patties, a 2-minute walk from Euljiro 1-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. Over draft beer, the bacon cheeseburger (₩12,900) and the cheeseburger (₩8,900) at Daily Fix Euljiro got their flavor from the hanwoo patty and moist housemade bacon, not from sauce. Even for a sauce lover, the light hand with sauce was a stroke of genius.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hongdae craft beer pub with window seats and Haekjonsim: Art Monster

Art Monster Hongdae is a craft beer pub on the 2nd floor near Exit 8 of Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul, pairing award-winning craft beers with Neapolitan-style pizza. From a seat at the wraparound windows, the writer tried four beers (Monkfood, Cheongdam Daughter-in-law, Unjjang and Haekjonsim) with double cheese pepperoni pizza and nacho cheese, and the mood changed noticeably before and after sunset. For a date or drinks with foreign friends at Art Monster Hongdae, grab a window seat and finish with Haekjonsim.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Gwanghwamun Japanese restaurant: salmon bowl & belly sushi, Ilpum

Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a Japanese restaurant specializing in kaisendon (seafood rice bowls), sushi and unagi don (eel rice bowl), on B2 of Le Meilleur Jongno Town in Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Seoul. On a Hangul Day afternoon visit booked in advance, the counter seats served a basic kaisendon, salmon sake don (salmon rice bowl), raw salmon sushi and salmon belly sushi, and the flow from chawanmushi to karaage cold udon and dessert felt like a light omakase. With 2 hours of free building parking and reservations accepted, Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a reasonably priced, high-quality Japanese restaurant in Gwanghwamun.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongik Univ. Station Western restaurant: melon ball cocktail at Brivit

Brivit Hongdae Yeonnam is a casual, European-style Western restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building right by Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer paired scallion cream corn gnocchi (18,900 won) and Kkangchong Kkangchong Tokki Pasta, a bunny-themed pasta (19,900 won), with a melon ball cocktail that barely tastes of alcohol and a Stella lager. Brivit Hongdae Yeonnam is an easy Hongdae pick for light drinkers and for families with kids.

Written Oct 9, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae sushi with toppings long enough to roll up: Yu Iksang Sushi

Yu Iksang Sushi (유익상스시) is a sushi restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, in an alley behind Seogyo Elementary School near Exit 9 of Hongik Univ. Station. The writer ordered the 2-person Couple A Plus set (₩56,000, 22 pieces), where the neta (fish topping) is about 5 times longer than on ordinary sushi, long enough to wind around into a gunkan-style roll, and also tried the smoky, flame-seared aburi sushi. Yu Iksang Sushi is a good Hongdae pick for anyone who loves long, thick cuts of fish, or who is dining with someone wary of raw fish.

Written Oct 8, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Yeonnam-dong café weekend wait & 3-step coffee aroma: Central Site

Central Site Yeonnam is a café in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, near Hongik Univ. Station, specializing in tiramisu and specialty filter coffee. The writer visited Central Site Yeonnam once on a weekday night and once on a weekend afternoon to compare the waits. The writer also tried the café's three-stage aroma routine for filter coffee (ground beans, during brewing, finished cup) and the ₩8,500 classic tiramisu. Verdict: Central Site Yeonnam's filter coffee experience and not-too-sweet tiramisu are worth the weekend wait.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Yeonnam-dong terrace bar for Yoon Jumo's Hondonju: Ijillirya Yeonnam

Ijillirya Yeonnam (잊힐리야 연남) is a terrace Korean food and drinks bar on a Donggyo-ro side street in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul. Drawn in by its orange lights and terrace, the writer had a welcome glass of bamboo liquor, ₩27,000 Bulgeunmat yukhoe (spicy beef tartare), Hondonju made from the recipe of Yoon Jumo of Culinary Class Wars, Uri Cheongju and Gangsoe traditional liquors, and Maepssagi spicy seafood ramyeon. With traditional liquors at ₩6,000–7,000 and a well-built ₩27,000 yukhoe, Ijillirya Yeonnam delivers on value, food quality and atmosphere.

Written Oct 4, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Gangnam Station café open daily with blueberry fig yogurt: Lazy Yogurt

Lazy Yogurt Gangnam is a Greek yogurt dessert café a 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Gangnam Station in Seoul. The Beheu Single costs 8,600 won, and switching to blueberry Greek yogurt adds 1,500 won; in autumn the bowl comes topped with fresh fig, which suits the thick yogurt, granola and honey. Lazy Yogurt Gangnam opens 10am to 8pm every day of the year, so it works as a light meal even on weekends and holidays.

Written Sep 25, 2026Sponsored

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