Open Tab Dongjak · 4 stories

Open Tab, Seoul Bars and Restaurants

Writes about things to do, restaurants, and bars around Seoul's neighbourhoods. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Things to do

PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Sillim diet restaurant for wedding prep: beef wasabi bowl, Prepers

Prepers Diet Food Sillim Main Branch is a two-floor diet restaurant near Exit 3 of Sillim Station in Gwanak, Seoul, serving salads, pasta and rice bowls topped with sous-vide meat. Dieting for her wedding, the writer had a weekend lunch there with her boyfriend: a Beef Wasabi Rice Bowl Combo (14,900 won) and a Pork Rosé Salad Pasta Combo (12,900 won), with tender sous-vide flat iron steak and tenderloin and filling portions. Prepers Sillim Main Branch suits anyone near Sillim Station who wants to diet without giving up flavor.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Thursday Korean BBQ with my brother in Yangjae: pork neck, Gamdol

Gamdol Yeontan Jip Yangjae Citizen's Forest Branch is a retro Korean BBQ restaurant grilling over yeontan (coal briquettes), about a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Yangjaesiminuisup Station in Seocho, Seoul. On a Thursday evening the writer and a younger brother shared jul-jul-i special pork neck (15,900 won), which was thick yet tender; flat bibim noodles (6,900 won), which paired well wrapped in the grilled meat; and gochujang briquette bulgogi (14,900 won). The pork neck was the most satisfying dish, and the spacious dining room makes Gamdol Yeontan Jip a good Yangjae pick for company dinners and group gatherings.

Written Jun 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulThings to do

Late-night after-work escape room in Hongdae: Towering at Cube Escape

Cube Escape Hongdae Branch is an escape room café with 8 themes on the 4th floor of the Mugwang Building, between Hongik Univ. Station and Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. After work on a Friday at 10:30 PM, the writer and her boyfriend tried Towering, a no-horror, medium-difficulty theme, used a few hints, escaped, and finished with photo-zone pictures at 11:30 PM. For a beginner couple who can't handle horror, Cube Escape Hongdae Branch makes a genuinely fun late-night indoor date.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Dongjak udon restaurant, toriten bukkake udon and a 300 beer: Kosi

Kosi Isu Branch is a udon and tonkatsu restaurant a 3-minute walk from Exit 9 of Isu Station in Dongjak, Seoul. On a weekend evening visit with her boyfriend, the writer ordered the toriten bukkake udon (11,000 won), topped with karaage, plus a beer 300, and found the noodles plump and chewy with inari sushi, salad, pickled radish and kkakdugi rounding out the set. The soy sauce is on the salty side, so anyone who prefers lighter seasoning should pour it a little at a time.

Written Aug 13, 2026Sponsored
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