Lunch by the Window — Windowside Lunch Sitter

Yeouido IFC Mall snack bar: Hyeonseoni Set + rice ball, Hyeonseonine

Hyeonseonine Premium IFC Mall Branch (현선이네 프리미엄 IFC몰점) is a tteokbokki and bunsik (Korean snack food) restaurant on the B2 level of IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. On a day of tteokbokki cravings, the writer ordered the Hyeonseoni Set with an added jumeokbap (rice ball) to try a spread of snack dishes, and the tteokbokki and rice ball pairing made a filling meal. For a familiar snack-food meal before or after shopping at IFC Mall, the Hyeonseoni Set plus a rice ball at Hyeonseonine Premium is a good choice.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Korean BBQ near Jongno 3-ga Exit 5 with a 40-party wait: Chowon

Chowon Restaurant Jongno 3-ga Branch (초원식당) is a Korean BBQ restaurant with outdoor street tables, 2–3 minutes' walk from Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 5 in Jongno, Seoul. The writer had about 40 parties ahead on a weekend evening but got seated sooner than expected. The writer grilled thick frozen pork belly (18,000 won) with kimchi, bean sprouts and garlic, then moved on to makchang (grilled pork intestines) and fried rice. Chowon Restaurant suits anyone who wants Jongno's outdoor BBQ scene a little away from the busiest alley.

Written Oct 8, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Yongsan tteokbokki, 30-minute wait at 7pm on Saturday: Hyeonseonine

Hyeonseonine Yongsan Main Branch is a tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and Korean snack restaurant near Sinyongsan Station Exits 5-6 in Yongsan, Seoul. Visiting on a Saturday at 7pm meant a 30-minute wait behind 7 parties before digging into the Hyeonseoni Combo Set on medium spice, with the self-serve fritter crumbs turning out to be the best part to dip the tteokbokki in. Worth going a bit before peak time on weekend evenings.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored