Hyehwa pre-theater steak at Omil, a Jongno restaurant

Before a Daehangno play, head out of Hyehwa Station Exit 4

I came to Hyehwa Station again today to see a Daehangno play. If you head toward Marronnier Park from Hyehwa Station, Exits 1 and 2 are where lots of small theaters are clustered. But we are not going that way today—we are heading out of Exit 4, where there are plenty of pretty restaurants and cafés. Before the play, we are going to enjoy something delicious and take a leisurely look around the alleyways, making the most of the day.

I heard Omil’s third branch had newly opened in Hyehwa, so I went to check it out. It is just a short walk from Hyehwa Station Exit 4, about 170 m away, so you can get there in no time. Today’s destination is Omil, a popular Hyehwa spot for dates too. I walked over slowly, curious about what kind of atmosphere the restaurant would have.

When I reached the entrance, the cute rubber-duck omurice poster caught my eye first. The yellow duck was so adorable that I was already looking forward to the food before I even went in.

As I went up the stairs, there were menu posters on the wall too. From the rubber-duck omurice to gochujang butter pasta, looking at the photos one by one naturally had me wondering what to order on the way up.

A warm wood-toned dining room with full-height windows

Once inside, the little decorative touches caught my eye. There was also a table beneath the shelves that looked ideal for two people, making it seem like a nice place for a quiet meal.

The overall interior is done in warm wood tones, with a good variety of seating. There are bar-style seats by the windows and sofa seats too, so it looked easy to choose a comfortable spot. I especially loved being able to take in the Daehangno street through the full-height windows. With good food, passing pedestrians, and the neighborhood view to watch, the meal felt open and unhurried rather than stuffy.

There are high chairs on one side for guests visiting with children. Disposable aprons are available too, which takes away a little of the worry about splashes getting on your clothes while eating.

Signature dishes ordered with a table tag

Ordering is easy using the tag at the table. They also say you can receive an ade, a sparkling fruit drink, by taking part in the Naver or Google Maps review event, and that is not something I wanted to pass up. It is not an ordinary ade either, so do give it a try. Today I ordered Omil Hyehwa Daehangno’s signature rubber-duck omurice and Omil steak. The rubber-duck omurice has a cute duck shape on top of its fluffy egg, which makes you smile just looking at it, while the Omil steak is made with flank steak. I decided to try both dishes together. Now, time to wait for the food.

Pineapple ade from the review event

For the receipt review event, I chose pineapple from the cherry, pineapple, and basil-and-tomato options.

It came with a straw in a special gold glass shaped like a pineapple, and it looked absolutely lovely. The drink was sweet and refreshing, and the restaurant atmosphere and self-service bar were tidy, so it was a pleasant experience. It was great for photos, and I was happy with its cool, tangy flavor too.

The self-service bar was neatly stocked with side plates and cutlery, along with a range of sauces and accompaniments, so I could comfortably take what I needed. The pink pickles served as a side particularly stood out: tart and crunchy, they whetted my appetite and went nicely with the food.

Tender flank steak with red wine sauce

Omil’s signature Omil steak arrived. Perhaps because it was cooked sous-vide, the meat was quite tender.

When I cut into it, it had a lovely juicy feel, and one bite showed how well the clean flavor of the flank steak worked with the red wine sauce. Adding a little whole-grain mustard gave it a peppery kick and a different character. With shishito peppers and roasted cherry tomatoes, it did not feel rich or heavy, and the fries on the side were nutty and went well with the steak. The portion was satisfying and the flavor was good, so I think I will remember it whenever I want a nicely presented plate of steak after a long time.

Rubber-duck omurice that makes you reach for the camera first

As soon as I entered Omil, I noticed the rubber-duck omurice seemed to be sitting on at least one table everywhere I looked. I was curious, so we ordered it too. Little ducks made from quail eggs huddle together on top of the rice, and they are so cute that I had to take a few photos before eating.

A soft tornado egg sits over savory salmon fried rice, and with a spoonful of the rich sauce, the combination works better than I expected. It was not only a pretty dish—the flavor was good too.

And the little sunglasses-wearing rubber-duck figure that came beside the drink was ours to take home, so I brought it back as a gift for my granddaughter. A delicious meal and a cute little gift left me in a great mood. If you visit Omil, the adorably presented rubber-duck omurice is worth trying.

I spotted the phrase “You look wonderful today!” on the wall. Seeing it alongside the cute character made me feel cheerful for no particular reason. I came for a meal and it felt as though I had received the gift of a warm word too.

On the way out after the meal, more cute messages and decorations on the wall caught my eye. It was nice to see how thoughtfully the space had been decorated right to the end, and I finished the meal on a happy note.

Omil’s distinctive and tasty dishes are now available in Hyehwa Daehangno as well. It is an easy place to drop in for a pleasant time over lunch, brunch, or dinner, as well as for a date or gathering.