Drink-First Diner · 58 stories

A Glass, Then Dinner

Writes about restaurants and bars around Seoul. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Burger shop at Gangnam Station: after-work burger face-off, Downtowner

Downtowner Gangnam is a handmade burger shop on Teheran-ro 1-gil, near Exit 11 of Gangnam Station in Seoul. After work, the writer took home a Downtowner Burger, a Classic Cheese Double and a side of sweet potato fries, but could not try Downtowner Gangnam's signature avocado burger because it was sold out. The verdict: the Downtowner Burger, with its sesame bun and clean-tasting patty, and the hefty Classic Cheese Double were both so good it was hard to pick a winner.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Salmon poke to go in Seolleung: Buldak salmon mixed in, Hola Poke

Hola Poke Seolleung Branch is a poke restaurant on Seolleung-ro 86-gil in Gangnam, Seoul. On a weekday evening the writer took home a raw salmon poke and Buldak salmon cubes (spicy fire-chicken-style cubed salmon) and was impressed by the big, generous salmon, the fluffy rice and the crisp vegetables. Mixing the Buldak salmon cubes into the poke turns it into a whole new dish, so salmon lovers should try the raw salmon poke at Hola Poke Seolleung Branch with a side of Buldak salmon cubes.

Written Jun 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Salad shop near Seolleung Station: beef vs pork salad pasta, Prepers

Prepers Diet Food Seolleung Station branch (프레퍼스 다이어트푸드 선릉역점) is a salad and diet-food shop on Teheran-ro near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul. The writer, who is not on a diet, took home a beef salad pasta and a pork salad pasta after work; the noodles had not gone soggy, the sauce was generous and the meat portions were hearty. Prepers Diet Food Seolleung Station is a filling salad pasta spot worth returning to for the taste alone.

Written Jun 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gangnam Station brow salon: fixing botched DIY brows, Nu Waxing & Brow

Nu Waxing & Brow is a waxing and brow salon near Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station in Seoul. The writer arrived with uneven, patchy brows after shaping them alone with a razor and tweezers, and had an eyebrow wax and a brow lifting perm in the same visit. Nu Waxing & Brow worked with the remaining brow line, evened out the asymmetry and set the hair direction, turning DIY-ruined brows into a neat frame that is easy to fill in.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Conveyor sushi at Seolleung Station: cheese-grilled conch, Sushi Ian N

Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant on the 2nd floor near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, where every plate costs 1,990 won. On a first visit recommended by a friend, the writer tried wagyu sushi, gamtae seaweed with ankimo (monkfish liver), salmon and onion, fresh raw fish with aged kimchi, and cheese-grilled conch sushi, both from the belt and ordered on the spot. Expected to be merely good value, Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station turned out to be the most satisfying sushi for taste, price aside.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station poke: extra steak + chili garlic mayo, Ola Poke

Ola Poke Gangnam is a poke restaurant on basement level 1 of 46 Teheran-ro 4-gil, near Gangnam Station in Seoul. After work, the writer ordered a steak poke to go at Ola Poke Gangnam with an extra steak topping and added chili garlic mayo, and was happy with the tender, lightly smoky steak and the generous portion. Verdict: if you order the steak poke at Ola Poke Gangnam, pair the wasabi mayo with chili garlic mayo.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGuro, SeoulBars

Sindorim pub with open windows and spicy chicken feet: Dongnae Sanjang

Dongnae Sanjang Sindorim Branch is a mountain-lodge-themed Korean pub on Saemal-ro near Sindorim Station in Guro, Seoul. At a window seat with the big windows open, the writer had fire-grilled soy pork ribs, which were not too sweet and had a good smoky flavor, then added fire-grilled boneless chicken feet, whose savory taste gave way to a fairly strong spicy kick. Dongnae Sanjang Sindorim Branch delivers on both atmosphere and food, making it a good Sindorim Station pick for dinner and a date.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Eel bowl restaurant by Yeoksam Station: Saturday solo ochazuke, Chisot

Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch (치솟 역삼본점) is a Japanese restaurant specializing in hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice) on Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. After working a Saturday shift, the writer came alone just after lunchtime for the Hitsumabushi Sang and an Okinawa draft beer. Despite never liking rice soaked in broth, the writer fell for the ochazuke and finished the whole bowl that way. Tender eel and perfectly seasoned sauce show why Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch is a favorite with Yeoksam office workers.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Gyodae gimbap shop: takeout dakgangjeong still crispy at home, Halls

Halls Gimbap Main Branch (홀스김밥본점) is a gimbap and Korean snack shop near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul. It was formerly Auto Gimbap Seocho, and only the name changed, with the same owner and staff. On the way home from work, the writer picked up the Halls gimbap, the wasabi gimbap and a small dakgangjeong (crispy sweet-glazed fried chicken) to eat at home. Both rolls, filled with spicy fish cake, were delicious, and the dakgangjeong stayed crispy long after. Even if you don't usually enjoy dakgangjeong, it is worth adding to any Halls Gimbap order.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Gyodae Station poke shop: extra-meat steak bowl & two mayos, Olla Poke

Olla Poke Seocho Gyodae Branch is a poke and salad shop on basement level 1 between Gyodae Station and Seocho Station in Seocho, Seoul. The writer ordered a steak poke to go with extra meat, an extra egg and two sauces, wasabi mayo and chili garlic mayo, and was happy with the tender, smoky grilled beef and fresh ingredients. For a salad spot near Gyodae Station that suits eating alone, the steak poke at Olla Poke Seocho Gyodae Branch is a good choice.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Poke shop near Gyodae Station: after-work steak bowl to go, Salering

Salering Gyodae Direct Store is a salad and poke shop near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul. After work, the writer took home a Meat All-in-One bibim poke with extra steak, gochujang mayo and seaweed sesame mayo sauces, and a sugar-free vanilla latte, and found the meat and vegetables generous and the chicken moist. The poke at Salering Gyodae Direct Store is worth ordering as a hearty meal rather than as diet food.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Gangnam Greek yogurt café takeout: chocolate ball Noir, Lazy Yogurt

Lazy Yogurt Gangnam is a Greek yogurt dessert café on Yeoksam-ro in Gangnam, Seoul. The writer took home a fruit-topped Beheu Double and a Noir Single with chocolate balls and banana, and the honey packed with the order made the thick Greek yogurt much tastier. The rich chocolate balls in the Noir Single turned out more satisfying than the Beheu Double the writer had been looking forward to.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored