Guro Late Sip · 5 stories

Late Pour, Seoul Bars and Cafes

Writes about bars, cafes, and restaurants around Seoul, usually visited after work. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulCafés

Yeonnam-dong bakery, evening squid ink bread & onion bagel: Mandong

Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch is a retro-style bakery at 32 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun, Seoul, and the writer, a longtime regular at the original Mandong Jegwa in Gangneung, has returned to it many times. On this evening visit only a few breads were left, but the writer bought 2 garlic baguettes (₩7,000 each), an onion bagel (₩5,500) and a squid ink bread (₩4,100). Verdict: Mandong Jegwa doesn't skimp on cream or sauce, so even a late visit with little choice was satisfying.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Japanese pub for Hapjeong dates: sea bream sashimi and mero, Ppaeret

Ppaeret (빼레) is a Japanese-style izakaya on Dongmak-ro 5-gil near Hapjeong Station Exit 6 in Mapo, Seoul. The writer ordered sea bream and flatfish sashimi (58,000 won) and charcoal-grilled mero (Patagonian toothfish, 33,000 won). The sashimi slices were neither too thin nor too thick, with no chewy bits, and the mero was dripping with rich oil. Verdict: with its atmosphere, wide menu and range of drinks, Ppaeret is a good pick for a Hapjeong date or a blind-date drinking night.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored

PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Japanese udon restaurant in Sadang, compared after an Osaka trip: Kosi

Kosi Isu Branch is a Japanese udon and tonkatsu restaurant with house-made noodles near Isu Station Exit 9 in Dongjak, Seoul. A week after a summer trip to Osaka, where the writer queued at a popular udon shop, the writer visited Kosi Isu Branch and ordered toriten bukkake udon (11,000 won) with extra tonkatsu (5,000 won) and tenbukkake udon (11,000 won) with the set add-on (4,000 won) to compare the taste with Japanese udon. The noodles at Kosi Isu Branch are chewy and springy, much like Japan's, making it a Sadang udon spot worth visiting when you miss Japanese udon.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Private-room Korean BBQ by Hongik Univ. Station, 11 sides: Chopilsal

Chopilsal Pork Grill Hongdae Branch is a two-floor pork BBQ restaurant on Donggyo-ro in Mapo, Seoul, 273m from Exit 1 of Hongik Univ. Station, with private spaces at the back of the first floor and on the second floor. The blogger ate 2 servings of salted pork belly (₩24,000), jinjja dwitgogi (pork trimmings, ₩10,500) and Chopilsal mixed naengmyeon (cold noodles, ₩8,000) with 11 side dishes and 4 personal sauces in a quiet, comfortable room. Chopilsal Pork Grill Hongdae Branch suits anyone looking for a calm Hongdae Korean BBQ or a spot for a team dinner or group gathering.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGuro, SeoulBars

Bibibig bingsu and pastry milk sticks at Monthly Beer, a Guro bar

Monthly Beer Guro Digital Complex Station Branch is a Korean food-and-drink bar 213 meters from Exit 2 of Guro Digital Complex Station in Guro, Seoul. The new pastry condensed milk sticks cost ₩17,900 and the bingsu (shaved ice dessert) topped with a whole Bibibig ice cream bar costs ₩13,900, with 500ml of Monthly draft beer at ₩4,900 and soju at ₩4,000. Wide seats and strong air conditioning make Monthly Beer easy for both group nights out and dates.

Written Aug 12, 2026Sponsored

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