Korean rice-set restaurant in Myeongdong's Lotte Department Store food

Out shopping in Myeongdong on a weekend, I was craving something clean and well-put-together in the Korean food department, so I went looking for it. I found it in the basement food court area of Lotte Department Store Myeongdong: Yangjaeok Lotte Department Store Main Branch (양재옥 롯데백화점 본점).

Yangjaeok Lotte Department Store Main Branch

I visited right at the weekend lunch peak, around 1pm, and was thankfully seated immediately with no wait — a great start.

Before long, all the seats filled up, so I'd recommend visiting early in the morning or making a reservation!

Location and atmosphere at Yangjaeok Lotte Department Store Main Branch

📍 The accessibility here is really the best. I'd strongly recommend this place to anyone searching for a Korean restaurant near Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station — it's only a 5-minute walk from the station, and being on the basement floor of Lotte Department Store makes the whole route after shopping incredibly efficient.

Walking in, the interior was bigger and had more tables than I expected, which made it feel pleasant and uncrowded. One thing that especially caught my eye: lots of families with kids.

I noticed the staff kindly warming up baby food several times, which felt like such thoughtful care — it would make lunch so much easier for anyone visiting with a baby. The atmosphere itself was tidy and not overly noisy, making it a great spot for a Myeongdong date or a family meal too.

How was the spicy pork gomtang bansang?

🔥 Spicy pork gomtang bansang (spicy pork bone soup + bulgogi-style pork stir-fry + tofu + side dishes)

After scanning the menu, I ordered the spicy pork gomtang bansang, which stood out for its substantial composition.

Soon, a neatly arranged tray came out. The basic side dishes were laid out tidily: fresh-tossed kimchi, chive kimchi, salty braised garlic scapes, and a seasoned tofu sauce. Each side dish was seasoned just right, not overdone, and balanced really well with the meat dishes.

The spicy pork gomtang broth

I tried a spoonful of the main event, the spicy pork gomtang broth, first. Oh man — the broth was so spicy and deep it made me sigh out loud! The broth had no gamey smell at all, simmered cleanly, with a sharp spiciness added on top that opened up my whole system the moment I tasted it. I hadn't even had a drink the night before, but it felt like the deep flavor was curing a hangover anyway.

When I stirred the broth with my spoon, I was surprised by how much meat and savory napa cabbage came up with it. The pork was thinly sliced and boiled tender, never dry, and the napa cabbage, soaked through with broth, added a nutty flavor and good bite. The portion of meat was generous, so I never felt shortchanged all the way to the end.

The pork stir-fry and tofu

The pork stir-fry served alongside also came with a spicy-sweet char-grilled flavor, the sauce well soaked into the meat. Side pork stir-fries in a set meal are sometimes skimpy in portion or have a gamey smell, but here the meat quality was good and the portion generous enough to feel like a full meal on its own — I was genuinely impressed.

The tofu served alongside was also warm, with a nuttiness that stood out. Placing a bit of seasoned sauce on the neatly presented tofu and pairing it with the well-fermented kimchi was a real delicacy. It acted as the perfect counterweight, adding lightness between the spicy gomtang and the pork stir-fry.

Honest tips and drawbacks

💡 Tip for the best experience: after scooping out some of the meat and napa cabbage from the gomtang, mix in a bowl of hot rice and top it with a bit of chive kimchi! The crunch of the chives combined with the spiciness of the gomtang gives you a much more varied flavor experience. There's no better combination for a clean, satisfying lunch near Euljiro 1(il)-ga after department store shopping.

Drawback: given that this is a basement food hall in a department store, parking access can get fairly congested during peak meal hours (weekend lunch, 12pm–1:30pm). Since it's directly connected to the subway station, I'd recommend taking public transit!

Overall verdict and recommendation

✨ Even by my picky standards, it was hard to find anything to dock points for — a satisfying meal all around. The excellent accessibility from the basement of Lotte Department Store Myeongdong, the kind service that looks out for kids, and above all the impeccably clean, deep flavor of the Korean rice set were all excellent.

I'd happily recommend Yangjaeok Lotte Department Store Main Branch to anyone wanting a light, clean meal during weekend shopping, anyone looking for an easygoing Myeongdong date spot to meet a friend or partner, or anyone in need of a hangover cure. I'm definitely planning to come back the next time I'm shopping here! ❤️