Bun cha and cha gio near Isu Station: Bangbaedong Ssalguksu 2nd branch

Sometimes I get a craving for something light like pho or bun cha, the kind of Vietnamese food that doesn't sit too heavy.

This time I went to Bangbaedong Ssalguksu's new branch near Isu Station.

Isu Station's second Bangbaedong Ssalguksu — how is it different from the first?

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu already has a first branch located between Isu Station and Sadang Station, and the one I visited this time is a newly opened second branch closer to Isu Station.

Seeing that the same brand has opened another location made me think the original store must already have quite a following.

A clean, slightly exotic interior

The first thing that caught my eye as soon as I walked in was how clean the interior was.

Everything was well arranged, and there was a hint of the exotic atmosphere you'd expect from a Vietnamese restaurant, so even though I'd just come in for a meal,

it almost felt like I was traveling somewhere. What I liked most, though, was the open kitchen.

The layout lets you see into the kitchen to some degree, so I could naturally check out the space where the food was being made — and it was all kept clean and tidy, which took away any worries about hygiene while eating.

These days when I pick a restaurant, taste matters, but so does how clean the store and kitchen look — and on that front, this was a pretty solid spot near Isu Station.

From pho to fried rice — a wide-ranging menu

Looking over the menu, there was everything from basic pho to fried rice, bun cha, cha gio, and more Vietnamese dishes.

Rather than just ordering pho on its own, it seemed like a good place to order several dishes and share, and if you love Vietnamese food, the lineup gives you plenty to pick from depending on your mood.

This time I ordered bun cha and cha gio.

I usually love bun cha, so whenever I go hunting for Vietnamese restaurants near Isu Station and see bun cha on the menu, I tend to order it — and this time was no exception.

Bun cha that paired beautifully with the sweet-sour sauce

I started with the bun cha.

Since it's a dish where you eat meat, noodles, and vegetables together, one plate gave me a whole range of textures and flavors. The sweet-and-sour sauce that's characteristic of bun cha really woke up my appetite, and dipping the noodles, meat, and veggies together into it worked really well.

It has a different kind of appeal from soupy dishes like pho, so if you're someone who likes bun cha specifically among Vietnamese dishes, it's worth ordering here.

The flavor was clean and not overwhelming, so it was easy to eat, and with everything mixed in, the portion turned out to be more filling than I expected.

Cha gio, enjoyed nice and crispy

And I enjoyed the cha gio (fried spring rolls) I ordered alongside it too.

The outside was fried crispy while the inside was packed with filling, and it paired nicely with the bun cha. If bun cha is on the lighter, more refreshing side, cha gio adds crispiness and a nutty flavor — I was glad we'd ordered both together.

Rather than sticking to just one dish, alternating between bun cha and cha gio made the meal more fun.

If you're looking for Vietnamese food near Isu Station

This visit to Bangbaedong Ssalguksu's Isu branch, the second location following the original store, was easy enough to get to.

Above all, the interior was clean and the open kitchen gave the whole place a pleasant feel — a comfortable atmosphere even for people trying Vietnamese food for the first time.

Beyond pho, the menu also includes fried rice, bun cha, cha gio and more, so it seems like a good spot to visit with a group and order different dishes to share.

I ordered bun cha and cha gio this time and enjoyed both, but next time I'd like to try the pho or fried rice too.

If you're near Isu Station looking for a clean Isu-dong restaurant or a Vietnamese spot, this newly opened Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu branch is worth a visit — especially if you want to enjoy bun cha or cha gio comfortably in a tidy setting.