Jongno burger spot near Sejong Center before a show: Reel Burger

A rainy-day solo meal near Sejong Center before a show

Before seeing the musical Beethoven at Sejong Center, I had dinner alone at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun (릴버거 광화문점), a handmade burger place in Jongno that's a short walk away. It was pouring, so I didn't want to go far and picked the nearby Reel Burger.

Sometimes I miss having a little time all to myself. Now that I'm a veteran at parenting, I'm occasionally allowed such time. On this rainy day I had a tasty Jongno handmade burger at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun and then saw a musical for the first time in a long while. It's been ages since I saw a show, and I went to Sejong Center alone. I had time before Beethoven started, so I planned a relaxed meal first, but with the rain this heavy I couldn't face going far.

So I looked for somewhere close and found Reel Burger Gwanghwamun, a great handmade burger spot in Jongno.

I wanted a place near Sejong Center where I'd get less wet and could eat and rest without rushing. Reel Burger was a quick walk away, which was a relief, and since it was before the show I could eat at a leisurely pace.

What's the atmosphere like at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun?

The shop isn't big, but it feels very COZY.

The moody rainy weather probably made it look even better. Lunchtime is surely busy, but it was a slightly early evening and the rain made it very relaxed.

Like the rest of Gwanghwamun and Jongno, it's probably very crowded during the day. It's near offices, so keep that in mind. Despite the heavy rain, the evening looked lovely through the window. Maybe it felt that way because I was heading to a musical.

A self-serve bar with mouthwash, too

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun has a self-serve bar with water, sauces and even mouthwash. It's thoughtfully stocked.

What a thoughtful touch! Perfect for a date, right? I went straight to the restroom in the building and used it myself.

What I ordered alone: El Taco Burger, maple sweet potato fries, Sprite

Posters of the various menu items were on display. I ordered the El Taco Burger, whose name caught my eye, plus maple sweet potato fries and a Sprite.

The drink and pickles were prepared quickly.

The pickles were very mild and tasty. The olive pickles were delicious.

Is the El Taco Burger okay if you can't eat cilantro?

The El Taco Burger at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is a Mexican-style burger with a brioche bun, a thick beef patty, nachos and cilantro. The cilantro can't be removed, so if you can't eat it, skip this one.

I heard it was created by Chef Lee Won-il?? Anyway, the looks... wow. A thick beef patty sits in a soft brioche bun, and I added veggies, but the filling is seriously hefty, right?

There are nachos inside too! The Mexican flavor really comes through! The cilantro can't be removed, so if you can't eat it, pass!!!

The downside of the El Taco Burger is that it's hard to eat in one bite. It's so thick, right? Cilantro is in there by default, so from the first bite it feels like eating exotic food.

A subtle spiciness builds up, and I instantly thought of beer, but I couldn't drink because of the show, which was such a shame. It pairs so well I wanted a solo beer. Next time I definitely want to come back for a light meal with a glass of beer.

What do the maple sweet potato fries taste like?

The maple sweet potato fries at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun are a sweet side of low-temperature-fried sweet potato with maple syrup. They're said to be inspired by the sweet potato fries loved in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan.

I ordered them because Joo Woo-jae reportedly recommends them. As described, the carefully low-temperature-fried sweet potato with rich maple syrup tasted sweet and upscale. But I don't actually like sweet potatoes... ^^ I think people who like sweet sweet potatoes will love them.

Overall, I feel I got my combination wrong... it would have been better with a beer. I had a Sprite, and the fizz left my mouth feeling clean. But with the spicy seasoning and that refreshing yet punchy Mexican flavor, I recommend pairing it with beer!!!

Verdict: when you can't decide what to eat in Gwanghwamun or Jongno

When you're unsure what to eat around Gwanghwamun and Jongno, Reel Burger Gwanghwamun was a satisfying pick for location, taste and atmosphere. It's good for a solo meal before a Sejong Center show, and for a date too.

Gwanghwamun and Jongno aren't areas I visit often, so I always agonize over what to eat. Instead of searching around for Gwanghwamun restaurants, you could just visit Reel Burger Gwanghwamun, a leading Jongno handmade burger place. I found it among several burger spots because of the sudden rain and my show schedule, and it was better than expected. Location, taste, atmosphere, it's great for a date too. I'll be back when I crave a handmade burger.