Tin Alley Sipper · 7 stories

Tin Cup, Seoul Bars and Restaurants

Writes about neighbourhood restaurants and late-night bars around Seoul. · Writes about: Food & snacks · Restaurants · Bars

PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ dinner with a friend in Bangbae: rib cuts at Seonhwa's Meat

Seonhwa's Meat Bangbae Main Branch (선화의고기 방배본점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Bangbae-dong, Seocho, Seoul, within walking distance of Naebang Station. Over dinner with a long-unseen friend, the writer ordered a half plate of fresh rib-finger meat (250g), a half plate of fresh flat bone-in rib (300g) and mulnaengmyeon (cold noodle soup) for dessert, and was pleased with the calm atmosphere and the quality of the trimming and grilling. Seonhwa's Meat is a Bangbae-dong BBQ spot for days when you want hard-to-find rib cuts in a stylish setting.

Written Apr 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Isu Station Western restaurant: mild spicy pasta for two, Dooblock Isu

Dooblock Isu is a Western restaurant near Isu Station in Seocho, Seoul, known as a go-to spot for wedding-invitation dinners with friends. Two friends ordered polpo (octopus) ink risotto and steak cream pasta, both at spice level 1, plus a passion fruit ade, for 49,600 won in total. At Dooblock Isu, the gentle heat balances the rich squid ink and cream, so this dinner for two never gets heavy.

Written May 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulBars

Quiet pasta pub near Sadang Station: tomayro and mushroom cream at Ui

Ui Sadang Branch is a gastropub (yori jujeom) at Dongjak-daero 3-gil near Sadang Station in Dongjak, Seoul, where you can eat pasta in a quiet, cozy setting. The writer visited Ui Sadang Branch with a friend for dinner, ordered tomayro, a tomato pasta, plus mushroom cream pasta and a Sprite, and was most impressed by the mushroom-rich cream pasta and the lightly scented tea served as water. Ui Sadang Branch is a Sadang Station pasta spot that suits friends' gatherings, dates, blind dates and solo drinking alike.

Written May 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Konkuk Univ. Station booth bar: yukhoe & highballs, Yukhoe Gongjakso

Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch is a yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) and salmon bar on Gunja-ro in Gwangjin, Seoul, between Children's Grand Park Station and Konkuk Univ. Station. The writer and a friend sat in a partitioned booth and paired Australian beef yukhoe and beet-cured salmon with highballs; the yukhoe was tender with no gamey smell, and the salmon had a deep flavour. Yukhoe Gongjakso is a good Konkuk Univ. Station bar for private seating and fairly priced bar food with highballs.

Written Jun 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Isu octopus restaurant, mild garlic dinner with a friend: Isu Jjukkumi

Isu Jjukkumi Main Branch (이수쭈꾸미 본점) is a hot plate baby octopus (jjukkumi) restaurant near Isu Station in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Over dinner with a friend, the writer ordered 2 servings of mild garlic bomb hot plate baby octopus and 2 servings of cheese fried rice, and staff stir-fried everything on the hot plate at the table. Even the mild garlic bomb baby octopus at Isu Jjukkumi had a strong garlic flavor, and the cheese fried rice is what makes the meal complete.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Korean BBQ with friends at Isu: whole pork skirt, Hwaseol

Hwaseol Isu Branch is a company-run beef and pork Korean BBQ restaurant near Chongshin Univ. (Isu) Station in Dongjak, Seoul. Two friends ordered five dishes (flower-cut beef, fresh beef rib meat, marinated beef rib meat, whole pork skirt and mul naengmyeon) and finished every one, with the whole-cut pork skirt the most memorable. Staff grill the meat and tables are well spaced, making Hwaseol Isu Branch a solid Isu Station BBQ pick for friends or a company dinner.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Isu Station makchang with corn cheese and steamed egg, Seoul: Chammak

Chammak Isu Station Branch (참막 이수역점) is a makchang (grilled beef large intestine) restaurant near Exit 2 of Isu Station in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. On a weekday evening with an old friend, the writer ordered mixed makchang, self-serve rice balls, corn cheese and steamed egg. Staff grilled the makchang, which had no gamey smell, and each side dish had a clear role. Chammak Isu Station Branch is a solid first choice when you and a friend are craving makchang near Isu Station.

Written Jul 27, 2026Sponsored
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