Isu Station Vietnamese restaurant for spicy brisket pho: Bangbaedong

📌 50 Dongjak-daero 25-gil, 1st floor, Dongjak-gu, Seoul ⏰ Mon–Fri 11:00~22:00 (last order 21:00) Weekends 11:00~21:00 (last order 20:00) 🚗 No parking -One space may be available depending on circumstances

Menu and prices at Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch

Hi everyone, long time no see 🙌🏻 Now that the steamy hot summer has passed, are you all enjoying this autumn weather? When it starts getting chilly like this, I really crave warm soup, you know? (Yes, this is the algorithm of a foodie.)

So today I visited Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch, which is famous as an Isu Station favorite — the flavor kept the local Vietnamese feel while being perfectly tuned to Korean palates, and I walked out happily patting my full belly! Let's get into the honest review now.

Where is Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch, and how far from Isu Station?

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch is a 2-minute walk from Exit 10 of Chongshin University (Isu) Station. The way there isn't far at all, so it was very easy to find! Difficulty level: maybe one ⭐️?

If the way there is confusing, please refer to the owner's kind directions! Bangbaedong Ssalguksu also has a first branch in Sadang, so I nearly typed the wrong address into my navigation ^^;

Walk just a little and you'll find a slice of Vietnam sitting right in the middle of Seoul.

As befits an Isu Station favorite, they even have separate waiting seats set up!

Inside Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch: atmosphere and the self-service bar

Inside, Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch has the charming, cozy vibe of a real Vietnamese eatery! If I had to name one difference from actual Vietnamese restaurants, it'd be the cleanliness level haha. The tables were plenty spacious and well spaced out, so it was a very comfortable place to eat b

The interior was decorated in every corner, so much that it felt like a brief trip to Vietnam haha (that Saigon beer I drank in Phu Quoc came flooding back…)

The self-service bar had plates, side dishes, and rice — they even keep a big rice pot on the side so you can serve yourself as much rice as you like.

On the table were colorful tableware and all kinds of sauces to boost the flavor of the food.

What two of us ordered: spicy brisket pho, bun cha and cha gio

At Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch, the two of us ordered spicy beef brisket pho, bun cha, and cha gio. Spoiler alert: the portions were truly, truly generous, and we walked out of the restaurant unable to fully straighten our backs haha.

Spicy beef brisket pho

First, the spicy beef brisket pho! This showed off a spicy, refreshing broth flavor you simply can't get in actual Vietnam. It had that addictive taste you just can't stop slurping down~

Bun cha (grilled pork with rice noodles)

And the bun cha came stacked high with noodles, vegetables, and meat with nothing skimped on, and dipping it in the tangy sauce was a real treat! I think it deserves to be ranked as one of the best bun cha spots near Isu Station haha

Cha gio (fried spring rolls)

I've never in my life seen cha gio this plump… The filling was hearty too, and it went really well with the chili sauce!

Honest verdict on Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch

• ✔️Best accessibility for a pho restaurant
• ✔️Portions are totally generous and the taste is great too
• ✔️Nailed both the atmosphere and Korean tastes — definitely coming back!

I especially liked that the prices weren't a burden at all. Seeing a lot of nearby office workers stop by during lunch hour, it seems to be known as an Isu Station favorite among the local workforce too haha. The layout is better suited to sharing a variety of dishes with a group than eating alone, so next time I plan to come back with friends and try some other menu items~!