Euljiro3-ga solo dinner with smoked tomato and wine: Pyu Euljiro

Café work by day, dinner alone at Pyu Euljiro

My evening plan was Pyu (pHew) near Euljiro 3-ga Station. During the day I'd finally found a café that came incredibly close to the vibe I'd been searching for — the view was satisfying and the prices weren't intimidating, so I got a solid three hours of writing done. Once I wrapped up work feeling good, I headed straight to Pyu Euljiro as soon as evening rolled around.

Honestly, this neighborhood is like a treasure chest — there's something worth visiting tucked into every alley. There used to be a place near the Nine Tree Hotel building across the street, a bar or café, I don't quite remember which, that I really loved, but I've forgotten the name and I'm still trying to track it down.

Lately I've been trying things I don't usually order, so whenever I go to a Western restaurant I tend to go for fish steak — but this time I was reminded once again that meat definitely suits my palate much better.

Where Pyu Euljiro is and what the room feels like

Pyu Euljiro's space is set up in a grand, spacious, and modern way on the first floor of a truly impressive tower building. The interior felt very pleasant, and with a wide range of teas available, it seemed like a great spot not just for dinner but for a calm afternoon tea date in Euljiro too. It even crossed my mind that pairing a sleek space like this with social channels like Threads for small blind-date meetups or networking events would be a fun idea with great response.

What I ordered at Pyu Euljiro, and the white wine

For the main dishes that night I ordered smoked tomato, since I really love tomatoes, along with yuzu chicken thigh skewers, and a white wine that fit the elegant mood. I'm not particularly knowledgeable about alcohol, so I picked based on vibes from the menu, and it turned out to have a deeper, more intriguing flavor than expected. But strangely, right after I cleanly finished one satisfying glass, my arms turned pink and flushed. Why my arms redden before my face whenever I drink is a genuinely strange and funny experience to me.

There are spacious seats further inside — perfect for wine and a blind date in Euljiro! Haha, this is why you've got to use social media!

Smoked tomato: how does it taste?

The first dish, smoked tomato, came out with cherry tomatoes plated in a really elegant and tidy way. The mild cheese and a special sauce — I'm not sure exactly what it was, but it clung beautifully to my palate — came together perfectly, and eating it on top of the crispy bread served alongside was such a great match I couldn't help but marvel.

Grilled yuzu chicken thigh at Pyu Euljiro

The chicken dish that followed was so tender and delicious right from the first bite that I checked the menu again — sure enough, it was chicken thigh, not the drier breast meat. The refreshing yuzu sauce paired perfectly with the savory richness of the chicken for a really luxurious flavor. It was so good that, despite needing to keep my composure in a place like this, I ended up wiping every last bit of the sauce clean.

Is Pyu Euljiro good for a blind date or a date?

With its soft lighting and calm overall atmosphere, Pyu Euljiro lives up to its reputation as a go-to spot for blind dates and wine in Euljiro, perfect for maintaining an elegant mood while dining. At the table next to me, several couples were quietly and intimately chatting away, enjoying their meal before heading out.

It was a lovely evening spent among thoughtful dishes and a wonderful atmosphere, and I found myself sincerely hoping that everyone who spent that time here finds their connection going well.