Isu Station pho restaurant with smoky beef belly pho: Bangbaedong

I went back to my regular pho place, Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch (방배동쌀국수 이수점). Whenever I'm craving pho, my feet just take me here, and once again it was way better than I expected. Totally satisfied!

(When the shop first opened it wasn't very busy, so seeing every table full now made me happy for no reason, haha. Hang in there, boss!)

Where is Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch and when is it open?

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch is at 50 Dongjak-daero 25-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the 1st floor (Sadang-dong). Come out of Exit 10 of Isu Station (Chongshin Univ. Station), walk straight along the main road, then turn into the Dongjak-daero 25-gil alley. It's about a 3–5 minute walk.

• Mon–Fri: 11:00 – 22:00 (last order 21:00)
• Sat–Sun: 11:00 – 21:00 (last order 20:00)

Cute exterior and cozy interior at Bangbaedong Ssalguksu

From the outside, Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch is decorated in a cute, cozy, exotic Vietnamese style that puts you in a good mood before you even walk in. Inside, you can feel the thoughtfulness toward guests everywhere!

Waiting area inside the door

Just inside the door there's a small but well-thought-out waiting area, so you can wait comfortably when there's a line.

Bar table for eating alone near Isu Station

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch has a bar-style table where you can eat comfortably without feeling awkward, so I highly recommend it to solo diners ("honbap-ers", people who love eating alone)!

Unlimited rice and sides at the self-serve bar

Pickled onions, pickled radish and little pickled chilies are all there, and even the rice is self-serve and unlimited! It's perfect for dunking rice into your pho broth.

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu menu and prices

The menu at Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch is split into signature pho, mains and fried rice, and sides and fried dishes. Have a look before you visit!

They have beer to go with your meal too~~ haha. The guest next to me came alone and had pho with a glass of beer for lunch. What a relaxed weekend ><

What does the smoky beef belly pho (11,000 won) taste like?

The beef belly pho (우삼겹쌀국수) is ₩11,000, and it's the dish I order most whenever I come to Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch. The clean meaty flavor and the rich, nutty fattiness of beef belly melt right into the broth along with a subtle fire-grilled smokiness.

The depth of the broth is truly something else; the moment you take a sip, it feels like your stomach just settles. If you love smoky beef belly, you have to try it!

Do the summer rolls (6,000 won) have cucumber?

The green vegetable inside the summer rolls (월남쌈) at Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch (₩6,000) isn't cucumber but crunchy bell pepper, so even people who don't eat cucumber can relax! When you only eat pho, it can feel like something's missing in the fresh vegetable department, and that's exactly when these are perfect to order alongside.

The combination of plump shrimp, crisp vegetables and meat is so fresh, and it pairs wonderfully with pho.

Verdict: why Bangbaedong Ssalguksu is my go-to pho near Isu Station

• Location: near Exit 10 of Isu Station, easy to reach and easy to find
• Service: friendly atmosphere, fine for solo diners, self-serve unlimited rice and sides
• Overall: a top Isu Station pho spot where you can enjoy rich, smoky beef belly pho and fresh summer rolls in a cute, exotic setting!

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch also does a lively takeout and delivery business. You can enjoy the same rich-broth pho at home as you'd get in the restaurant!

If you're near Isu Station or Chongshin Univ. Station and looking for proper Vietnamese pho, a hearty warm meal, or a solo-friendly spot where you can eat without feeling awkward, definitely visit Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch. As a regular, I recommend it with confidence!