Poke picnic takeout in Seocho, Seoul: extra-salmon bowl at Olla Poke

The weather's been so nice lately, right? The heat has finally broken and it's just perfect for a picnic. So I went on a picnic for the first time in a while. I was looking for something light but tasty to eat outdoors, and I ended up at Olla Poke Seocho Gyodae Branch, which people have been talking about as a go-to spot near Gyodae Station. I usually love eating healthy and often enjoy poke, and Olla Poke's portions are generous with solid ingredients, making it perfect for takeout.

How to find Olla Poke Seocho Gyodae Branch

Olla Poke Seocho Gyodae Branch is on the basement floor (B1) at 54 Banpo-daero 28-gil, Seocho-gu, right next to the red Mara Gongbang sign. Walking down the alley, I spotted an eye-catching orange banner along with a clean, booth-style storefront. Even on a first visit, it was easy to find without getting lost.

Standing signboards lined up in front of the store showed that you can enjoy fresh poke during the day and pizza-and-beer at night. I never would have guessed a poke place also served that! A tip for anyone wanting a quick beer after work.

I slowly made my way down the stairs to the basement store. The stairs are fairly steep, so you'll want to hold the handrail and take it carefully.

Inside the basement space: mood and seating

Walking into Olla Poke Seocho Gyodae Branch, the first thing I noticed was the cute cat logo on the wall. It felt way more trendy and hip than I expected — honestly fits the pizza-and-beer vibe haha.

The interior is so clean that it seems just as good for eating in as for takeout, and the tables are spaced generously apart, making it comfortable whether you're eating alone or with company. Each seat even has a thoughtfully installed outlet, which would be great for office workers or students.

Ordering at the kiosk: bases, toppings and poke menu

Orders are placed easily through the kiosk near the entrance. There's a notice about using eco-friendly organic vegetables, along with a clearly organized country-of-origin display board that felt reassuring haha.

I also picked up a cute leaflet by the counter and opened it up — turned out to be the menu haha.

I slowly looked over the menu, happily agonizing over what combination to order haha. You can choose between buckwheat noodles, salad, or oat brown rice as your base, and adjust the ratio to your taste. From the varied poke lineup — tuna, shrimp, steak, and more — I picked the best-selling fire chicken salmon poke. And since I wanted to enjoy plenty of salmon, I added extra salmon on top..! A total salmon lover move.

On the wall was a friendly guideline made easy for first-time visitors to understand, covering takeout tips, group reservation info, and even a QR code for Wi-Fi — all laid out thoroughly. You could really feel the careful attention to customer convenience in every little detail, and that kind of care made me even more excited for the food.

Self-serve bar and tray return at Olla Poke

On one side was a neatly organized self-serve bar area. It was stocked generously with hygienically managed soy sauce, cold water, napkins, and straws. It's nice being able to grab what you need directly instead of asking staff every time.

The dish return and kitchen area also had a clean, open layout, feeling airy and spacious — the dish return spot and recycling bins were spotless with nothing out of place. It's the kind of place where careful cooking happens in a hygienic environment, making it a Gyodae Station restaurant you can trust!

Eating the fire chicken salmon poke on the grass

I spread a pretty mat out on the green grass and finally opened up the fire chicken salmon poke I'd packed to go. With the extra salmon, it was piled generously on top, haha, happiness level 1000%. Chickpeas, lentils, corn, flying fish roe, and fresh vegetables filled the bowl to the brim. Honestly, nothing beats poke as a light picnic food to enjoy outdoors.

I drizzled the included spicy fire chicken sauce generously all over the poke, and when the fresh, mild salmon met that fiery, savory sauce, it completely won me over without ever feeling greasy, ㅠㅠ. Filling but healthy, and not overly intense — it was so, so good ㅠㅠ.

Who should get poke takeout near Gyodae Station?

Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and a sauce that perfectly rounds it all out — Olla Poke near Gyodae Station delivered on every front. You can freely customize toppings and bases to your taste, making it a great picnic food to pack lightly for an outing. The store is clean and the menu well thought out, so I think I'll be back often. If you're near Gyodae Station looking for a filling, fresh salad or poke, definitely stop by.