Tile Wall Luncher · 7 stories

Lunch by the Tile Wall

I write about restaurant meals I come across in Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

Poke bowl spot by Seolleung Station: thick-cut extra salmon, Hola Poke

Hola Poke Seolleung Branch (올라포케 선릉점) is a salad and poke restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building in the food alley near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul. On a second visit this year, the writer checked the calorie chart above the kiosk, chose the raw salmon poke over the Super Protein poke, added extra salmon and went half brown rice with oats, half vegetables. With salmon cut as thick as at a sashimi restaurant and about 40 seats, Hola Poke Seolleung Branch made a satisfying solo lunch in Seolleung.

Written May 27, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGwangjin, SeoulCafés

Evening café near Gunja Station, Seoul: oat milk Malbec at Palco

Palco is a large café with a wood-and-white interior in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Gunja Station. On an evening visit, Palco's Malbec coffee made with oat milk aged for 24 hours, the Berry Tango packed with grapefruit pulp and the Basque tiramisu were all satisfying. For a spacious, atmospheric café with good desserts in Gunja, Palco is a solid choice.

Written May 28, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Staff-grilled pork BBQ at Yangjae Station: galbi, gabrisal, Gukgojip

Gukgojip is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, 3 minutes from Yangjae Station, where staff grill fresh pork galbi (pork ribs) and gabrisal (pork shoulder cap) over charcoal for you. Two diners ordered 2 servings of fresh pork galbi and added 1 serving of gabrisal; the thick-cut galbi dipped in salt was the best bite, and the spicy kongbiji (soybean pulp) stew served with meat orders was good too. For neatly staff-grilled pork near Yangjae Station, Gukgojip is a solid choice.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored

PlaceNowon, SeoulRestaurants

Taereung Station French restaurant: seaweed salmon tartare, LA RUELLE

LA RUELLE is a French restaurant on the 2nd floor near the Gongneung railway path and Taereung Station in Gongneung-dong, Nowon, Seoul. At LA RUELLE the writer ordered salmon tartare, bisque pasta and forestière mushroom risotto, tasted caviar for the first time as a complimentary topping, and named the salmon tartare with gamtae (thin roasted seaweed) a must-order for next time. With atmosphere, flavor and friendly service all in place, LA RUELLE is a strong pick for a blind date near Taereung Station or a date along the railway path.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored

PlacePocheon, GyeonggiCafés

Hot-day Pocheon café, shaded patio & matcha milk tea: Geurine Oasis

Geurine Oasis is a dog-friendly bakery café facing Gomo Reservoir near Gwangneung Arboretum in Soheul-eup, Pocheon, Gyeonggi. On a weekday afternoon close to 30°C, the writer ordered two Valrhona mocha lattes, a matcha milk tea, an ube latte and a tiramisu cake, then relaxed on the shaded patio watching the reservoir and its musical fountain. With dogs allowed in the annex and outdoor seats, an off-leash dog run and a 30-minute fire pit option for 9,900 won, Geurine Oasis suits family outings and group trips to Gwangneung Arboretum.

Written Jun 30, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangneung, GangwonRestaurants

Gangneung cockle bibimbap restaurant with free corn: Yeonhwa Maeul

Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap is a restaurant serving cockle bibimbap and mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) on Pungho-gil in Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung, facing a lotus field. For the first meal of a Gangneung trip, the writer ordered the 2-person cockle bibimbap and mulhoe set. The rice felt like more than 3 servings, and the mulhoe seasoning was a gentle savory flavor that let the ingredients come through. The zucchini stir-fry, made with fish sauce and dried shrimp instead of minced garlic, and the free corn also stood out. Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap is a generous, filling spread for starting a Gangneung trip.

Written Jul 23, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Grilled lamb ribs and perilla oil makguksu near Olympic Park: Dangsan

Dangsan Odol Bangi Branch is a charcoal grill restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Olympic Park Station and Bangi Station. Lamb ribs for two (200g per portion) came with a side of perilla oil makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles), and the gently glowing charcoal cooked the meat through without scorching the outside while the noodles refreshed the palate between rich bites. Dangsan Odol Bangi Branch is an easy first taste of lamb ribs, especially dipped in cumin.

Written Sep 6, 2026Sponsored

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