Dosan Park Western restaurant, tableside-cut omurice: Eulji Darak

Today I visited Eulji Darak (을지다락) Dosan, which already has a reputation as a go-to restaurant near Apgujeong's Dosan Park :)

Where is the entrance to Eulji Darak Dosan?

Eulji Darak Dosan is on the second floor of a building near Dosan Park, and the bookcase you see when you go up to the second floor is actually the restaurant's door! For a special day, or when I want a good meal with someone precious, the Dosan Park area is the first neighborhood that comes to mind. Its stylish, trendy vibe fills every alley.

Eulji Darak Dosan hours and break time

• Hours: daily 11:30–21:15
• Weekday break time: 15:15–16:30
• Weekends: open all day with no break time
• Last order: up to 45 minutes before closing

Is the inside of Eulji Darak Dosan good for a date?

The tables inside Eulji Darak Dosan are comfortably spaced, so it's a great setting both for get-togethers with friends and for couples who want a cozy date and a quiet chat.

Eulji Darak Dosan menu and what we ordered

Eulji Darak Dosan sells lots of dishes, including pasta, steak, risotto and a range of sides!

I'd heard the Darak Omurice and the katsu sando (fried cutlet sandwich) are the famous ones, so we ordered those two plus the spicy cream pasta!

Also, water is self-service, so just grab it next to the cashier!

How does the Darak Omurice at Eulji Darak taste?

The Darak Omurice is ₩16,000, and it comes with fried rice and a fluffy egg omelet on top of demi-glace sauce. Of our three dishes, the omurice came out first!

The fried rice and fluffy egg sat on top of a really delicious demi-glace! This plump omurice is cut for you at the table by a staff member, and they ask whether you'd like to film it, so if you want to record it, go ahead :)

When the omurice splits open, warm steam rises out, and it was so impressive to see something freshly made.

The seasoning has soaked into every grain of the fried rice, so it tastes right even with the egg on top!

There are mushrooms and meat inside the fried rice too, so I think it would be tasty even on its own. The meat pieces are surprisingly big, so it felt a bit like a pork neck pilaf.

Is the demi-glace on the Darak Omurice salty or sweet?

Eulji Darak's homemade omurice sauce, simmered European-style, has a deep, rich savoriness without being too salty or too sweet, and it perfectly supports the mild, nutty flavor of the egg! Of all the demi-glace I've had lately, the saltiness was just right and the sweetness wasn't strong, so it suited my taste.

Is the spicy cream pasta at Eulji Darak very spicy?

The spicy cream pasta isn't very spicy, so even people who can't handle heat can order it without worry. The plating is lovely too: a thick, rich cream sauce is spread across the plate, with neatly rolled pasta and plump shrimp in the center.

The egg yolk in the middle seemed to add even more richness! And it really isn't that spicy, so don't be scared off by the word "spicy" haha

Mix the cream sauce and the spicy powder evenly through the noodles, then twirl up a big forkful: the first taste is the deep, rich nuttiness of cheese spreading cleanly!

The pop of the plump shrimp you bite into here and there adds to the fun! The cream sauce is quite thick and clings well to the noodles.

Should you order the katsu sando as a side at Eulji Darak?

The katsu sando is a great side to go with a main dish, and one you'd regret skipping! Between soft, moist slices of bread, a tender cutlet is packed in as thick as a fist!

You might worry such thick meat will be tough, but it's really tender, like a regular Japanese-style katsu! No gamey smell, and if it starts to feel a little rich, the tartar sauce freshens it right up :)

Waiting and parking at Eulji Darak Dosan

On weekends or at peak times, Eulji Darak Dosan can have a wait because of nearby office workers and couples on dates, so check ahead before you go. I wrote this review for anyone who wants a no-fail, great-looking meal near Dosan Park!

One more note: Eulji Darak Dosan doesn't provide parking, so you'll need to use a nearby parking lot on your own.