Vietnamese restaurant in Sangsu, Seoul for group dinners: Rua Zin

Some days you suddenly crave Vietnamese rice noodle soup, with its hot broth and spices, don't you?

I was looking for a good place for a group dinner in Hapjeong, and ended up at Rua Zin (루아진). The whole building has a distinctive feel, it's roomy, and each floor has a slightly different charm, so it looked easy for a bunch of people to get together.

Where is Rua Zin and how do you get there from Hapjeong Station?

Rua Zin is a 5-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 7. It sits between Hapjeong Station and Sangsu Station, so it's easy to reach from either side.

It's right on the street, and the whole building is lit in red, so you can spot it from far away.

Rua Zin floor by floor: atmosphere and interior

Stepping inside, the props and lighting reminded me of a local restaurant in Vietnam, so it felt a bit like being there.

The 1st floor felt clean and relaxed, with a free-spirited Vietnamese vibe.

Is Rua Zin's 2nd-floor group room good for a company dinner?

Going up the stairs, the 2nd floor of Rua Zin was calmer than the 1st floor,

and it suited dates as well as group gatherings and company dinners.

Rua Zin's 3rd-floor rooftop terrace

The 3rd-floor outdoor rooftop terrace in particular has tables well separated from each other, so it looked great for a private feel. I liked the terrace, but it's reachable by stairs only, so I played it safe and took a seat on the 1st floor.

Instead of leaving your charger at the counter, you can borrow a power bank, so I could use my phone comfortably during the meal. Nice!

Rua Zin hours, parking and visitor information

• Location: 1F, 9 Dongmak-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Hours: daily 11:00–23:00 (be sure to check the hours before visiting)
• Restroom: inside the restaurant, separate for men and women
• Parking: not available; use nearby public parking lots
• Transit: 5-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 7
• Wi-Fi: available

What's on the Rua Zin menu and how much does it cost?

You order on a tablet at the table, which was convenient.

The menu covers everything from popular dishes to authentic Vietnamese ones.

• [Sets] Mu kata (Vietnamese-style hot pot and grill) for 1 person ₩18,000 / Chả cá ₩38,000
• [Rice noodles] Beef brisket rice noodle soup ₩10,000 / Mixed rice noodle soup ₩12,000 / Tripe rice noodle soup ₩13,500 / Bún chả ₩14,000
• [Rice dishes] Beet fried rice ₩14,000 / Pineapple fried rice ₩13,500 / Cơm tấm ₩15,500
• [Bánh mì] Beef bánh mì ₩10,500 / Pork bánh mì ₩9,500 / Chicken and egg bánh mì ₩8,500
• [Vietnamese dishes] Tom yum goong ₩28,000 / Vietnamese sausage ₩15,500 / Kanpung chicken (sweet and spicy fried chicken) ₩18,000 / Fried fish ₩15,500 / Bánh xèo ₩7,500 / Chả giò ₩5,500 / Extra rice noodles ₩3,000
• [Drinks] Saigon draft beer ₩7,000 / Cass ₩6,000 / Soju ₩5,500 / Coca-Cola ₩3,000 / Taiwanese mango soda ₩4,000

What we ordered at Rua Zin

At Rua Zin that day I ordered the mixed rice noodle soup (₩12,000), Vietnamese-style braised pork belly, thịt kho tàu (₩25,000), plus draft beer and a highball.

Once you sit down, you get nutty barley tea instead of plain water, and crunchy-looking pickled radish and carrot comes as a side.

Rua Zin mixed pho: how big is the portion and how does it taste?

The mixed rice noodle soup (₩12,000) came out first, and the portion was quite generous, more than I expected. Personally I like lots of bean sprouts, and I felt their crunch went really well with the hot, deep broth.

It's nice to use the chili and the pickled soybean sauce on the table. The soybean sauce, which tastes like braised black beans, really brought out the savory depth of the noodles. By the way, they bring cilantro separately if you ask, so you can adjust it to taste.

What does thịt kho tàu (Vietnamese braised pork belly) taste like?

I'd never had Rua Zin's Vietnamese braised pork belly, thịt kho tàu (₩25,000), so I ordered it with half anticipation, half excitement. It looked different right from the start.

It was a bit different from the typical soy-sauce braise we usually see: the broth was slightly pooled and mild in seasoning, closer to tender boiled pork (suyuk).

When it got a little greasy, I topped it with the crunchy onions served alongside, and my mouth felt clean again. Cleansing your palate now and then with the tangy pickled radish and carrot keeps it from getting heavy, so you keep eating. It also paired well with a cold drink, so it was a Hapjeong Vietnamese spot that's great for chatting and enjoying slowly.

Is Rua Zin a good group dinner spot in Hapjeong and Sangsu?

With a different mood on every floor and exotic Vietnamese food, Rua Zin seemed good for gatherings and company dinners, and for dates too.

With roomy seating and a special space like the 3rd-floor rooftop terrace, it's comfortable even with a big group, and the mixed rice noodle soup and Vietnamese braised pork belly are easy dishes to share. If you're looking for a group dinner spot in Hapjeong, or want Vietnamese pho and an exotic atmosphere near Sangsu Station, it's worth a visit.