Noon Spoon Guest · 32 stories

A Spoon at Noon

I write about restaurant meals around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Shopping

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sangam-dong eel restaurant: post-workout hitsumabushi lunch, Ryeok

Ryeok Minmul Jangeogui Jeonmunjeom (력 민물장어구이전문점) is a freshwater eel restaurant in Sangam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, near Exit 9 of Digital Media City Station. For lunch the writer ordered 2 special eel bowls (hitsumabushi), each topped with moist eel that looked like a whole fish, served as a full set with seaweed soup, chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard), pickled side dishes and a chocolate cake dessert. Ryeok's special eel bowl made a hearty, satisfying stamina lunch after a workout.

Written May 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Pot rice restaurant in Sangam: steak, hot yolk and nurungji, Solsot

Solsot Sangam Branch (솔솥 상암점) is a pot rice (sotbap) restaurant in Sangam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, about a 10-minute walk from Digital Media City Station. At lunch the writer ordered the steak pot rice and the sea bream scallop pot rice, mixed the egg yolk in while the rice was hot for an egg-fried-rice flavor, and scraped up the leftover rice as crispy nurungji (scorched rice) instead of pouring broth over it. For mild, satisfying rice you won't tire of, Solsot Sangam Branch is a good choice.

Written May 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Seolleung Korean BBQ: Busan-style brazier and diced galbi at Uno

Uno is a hanwoo (Korean beef) charcoal BBQ restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, a 7-minute walk from Seolleung Station Exit 2. The writer ordered the 800g Uno Galbi Platter, which staff grilled on a Busan-style brazier over hardwood charcoal and a square wire grill: diced galbi, LA galbi, beef tongue and marinated galbi. The meal ended with seonji haejangguk (beef blood hangover soup), doenjang rice made at the table and old-fashioned patbingsu. With partitioned tables and several private rooms, Uno suits work dinners, gatherings and dates alike near Seolleung Station.

Written May 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ for three in Eungam, Seoul: 800g Jirisan pork, Yukjjip

Yukjjip (육쯥) is a Korean BBQ restaurant specializing in aged Jirisan pork, right next to Eungam Station at the start of Bulgwangcheon stream in Eunpyeong, Seoul. After a run along Bulgwangcheon, three friends ordered Yukjjip's 800g special sampler, and a server grilled it from start to finish. The gabeuri-sal (pork shoulder cap), pork neck and pork belly were all juicy with a good aged flavor, and a side set of doenjang stew and wasabi rice balls rounded out the meal. Verdict: Yukjjip is an Eunpyeong pork belly spot where three people can eat their fill over drinks.

Written May 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Late sushi lunch in Yeouido: 10-piece sushi of the day & udon, Ilpum

Ilpum Yeouido Branch is a kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) and sushi restaurant on basement level 1 of the Anwon Building on Eunhaeng-ro, Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. On a weekday, the writer booked a 1 PM table and ordered the sushi of the day and the basic kaisendon, served with miso soup, white kimchi, chawanmushi (savory egg custard), sanuki udon, futomaki (thick sushi roll) and dessert. With its well-textured aged sashimi and polished nigiri, Ilpum Yeouido Branch is a strong recommendation for sushi or kaisendon in Yeouido.

Written May 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulBars

Haebangchon sports pub with big-screen football: Ddobongi Tongdak

Ddobongi Tongdak Seoul Huam (또봉이통닭 서울후암점) is a fried chicken restaurant and sports pub on Huam-ro in Yongsan, Seoul, around Haebangchon and Huam-dong, open until 4 a.m. On Halloween night the writer stopped by for a second round of garlic fried gizzards and slushy draft beer while watching Chelsea vs Manchester United on the big screen, and the tender gizzards paired well with the whole fried garlic. For late-night football with a drink, Ddobongi Tongdak Seoul Huam is a perfect fit.

Written Nov 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Huam-dong pork bone stew with mustard dip: Cheongnyeon Gamjatang

Cheongnyeon Gamjatang Sundaeguk Seoul Station branch is a gamjatang (pork bone stew) and bone hangover soup restaurant in Huam-dong, Yongsan, near Seoul Station. On a bitterly cold day the blogger ordered the small gamjatang, stirred in perilla seed powder and black pepper, and dipped the meat in a sweet mustard sauce before adding potato sujebi (hand-torn dough) and finishing with fried rice. Even the small size has enough meat for three and the broth is rich without being salty, making Cheongnyeon Gamjatang a strong winter pick near Seoul Station.

Written Nov 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gongdeok sashimi restaurant for groups: large aged sashimi set, Neoul

Neoul Gongdeok Direct Branch is an aged sashimi and seafood restaurant a 1-minute walk from Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. A group of six ordered the large aged sashimi set, which came with complimentary fresh clam soup, paired it with Hallasan soju, and added a spicy seafood jjim (braised seafood) when the food ran short. Neoul Gongdeok Direct Branch has an old-school feel, but its aged sashimi is excellent, which makes it a great fit for group drinking nights.

Written May 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae noodle shop: katsu curry and beef rice noodles, Myeon Sikdang

Myeon Sikdang Hongik University Branch is a Japanese-style noodle and tonkatsu restaurant on Wausan-ro near Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. Just before closing, the writer ordered a tonkatsu mini curry set and a rice noodle set with a smoky mini butadon (pork rice bowl); the big, full bowls, tender tonkatsu and rich beef-broth rice noodles were worth more than the price. Myeon Sikdang Hongik University Branch is a great-value Hongdae restaurant for eating alone or sharing two sets.

Written Oct 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Busan-style gukbap restaurant in Jamsil, spice on the side: Boseung

Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch (보승회관 방이점) is a Busan-style pork rice soup (dwaeji gukbap) restaurant near Jamsil Station, Lotte Tower and Seokchon Lake in Songpa, Seoul. Before going shopping, the writer and a friend ordered 2 pork jowl suyuk gukbap sets for lunch, asked for the seasoning paste (dadaegi) on the side, and enjoyed a rich broth with no porky smell, plus boiled pork (suyuk) and 3 kinds of sundae (Korean blood sausage). The pork jowl suyuk gukbap set at Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch is a satisfying stand-in in Jamsil when you miss Busan's pork rice soup.

Written May 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong pizzeria, Pizza World Cup-winning salmon pizza: Pizzeria O

Pizzeria O Hapjeong Station is an Italian wood-fired pizzeria near Exit 2 of Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul, where the pizzas are baked by a chef who took first place at the 2019 Pizza World Cup in Rome. At Pizzeria O Hapjeong Station, the writer had the world-champion salmon pizza, the Patate e Wurstel pizza topped with fries and frankfurter sausage, and fresh-pasta ragu, with cola and ade. With chewy dough full of wheat flavor and a bright, fresh salmon pizza, Pizzeria O Hapjeong Station is worth recommending to anyone after top-quality wood-fired pizza.

Written May 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Gwanghwamun sushi restaurant: 10-piece set, udon & chawanmushi, Ilpum

Ilpum Gwanghwamun is a kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) and sushi restaurant on basement level 2 at 19 Jongno, near Gwanghwamun Station in Seoul. The writer booked through Naver Place and ordered the basic kaisendon and the daily sushi set: 10 pieces including red shrimp, greater amberjack and tuna, plus fish cake tempura udon, chawanmushi (savory egg custard) and mango panna cotta. Having tried several other Ilpum branches, the writer rates Ilpum Gwanghwamun as noticeably fresher and tastier.

Written May 30, 2026Sponsored