Pho restaurant at Isu Station with thin-noodle bun cha: Bangbaedong
In short
Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch is an open-kitchen Vietnamese pho restaurant a 3-minute walk from Exit 10 of Isu Station in Dongjak, Seoul. The writer had spicy beef-belly pho (12,000 won), bun cha with thin noodles (14,000 won) and 4 summer rolls (6,000 won); bar seats and tables for two made eating alone easy, and rice was free. Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch is a clean, generous pho restaurant near Isu Station.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Chongshin Univ. (Isu) Station Exit 10 · 2-min walk (store listing, Oct 6, 2026)
- Location
- About 3 minutes on foot from Exit 10 of Isu Station (1F, 50 Dongjak-daero 25-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul)
- Spicy beef-belly pho (우삼겹얼큰쌀국수)
- 12,000 won
- Bun cha (분짜)
- 14,000 won
- Summer rolls (월남쌈, 4 pieces)
- 6,000 won
- Cola
- 2,000 won
- Seating
- Bar-style seats and tables for two
- Self-serve bar
- Pickled onions, danmuji (yellow pickled radish) and rice, all free
- Table sauces
- Hoisin sauce, chili sauce and chili seed powder
as written by the visitor on Jul 11, 2026
Today I'm sharing my visit to Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch (방배동쌀국수 이수점), a place that will take care of a tasty meal near Isu Station. I really love pho and have tried plenty of places, and this one won me over: the taste is a given, but I was also very happy with the shop's condition and the owner's generosity. Okay, let's get into this mouthwatering review!!!!!
Where is Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch near Isu Station?
Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch is just a 3-minute walk from Exit 10 of Isu Station, so it's easy to get to :) You'll see the sign as you walk along.
Open kitchen and bar seats: an easy place to eat alone
The kitchen is open so you can see right into it, and my first thought when I walked in was, "It's so pleasant here!" Since you can watch the cooking with your own eyes, you can trust the hygiene.
The bar-style seats and tables for two are laid out very efficiently. Even if you come alone, you don't feel self-conscious at all, and the relaxed atmosphere lets you focus completely on your own meal. I'd strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a good-quality solo dining spot near Isu Station.
How to mix the pho sauce: 3 parts hoisin to 1 part chili sauce
On the tables at Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch, sauces like hoisin sauce and chili sauce for your pho are set out neatly. You don't have to call a staff member or feel awkward; you can help yourself and spoon out as much as you like to suit your taste, which was really convenient. (My personal recommendation: mix hoisin and chili sauce at 3 : 1 in a small dish and dip the meat and noodles in it!)
Next to the sauce bottles, there was also spicy-looking chili seed powder! I'd already ordered the spicy pho that day, so I didn't add any, but if you're a spice lover having the regular pho and want an extra kick, it would be really good sprinkled on.
While waiting for my food, I spotted the drinks fridge on one side of the shop, lined with beers. I really wanted one, but I held back with tears in my eyes.
Self-serve bar and free rice
The tidy self-serve bar on one side of Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch has pickled onions and danmuji (yellow radish) pickles.
And the biggest highlight! In these days of high prices, the rice is free T_T Dunking rice into rich, spicy pho broth is basically the golden rule, right?!?! Thanks to the owner's overflowing generosity, I filled my belly properly haha
Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch menu and prices
The menu has pho hot pot (쌀국수전골), which I thought was interesting. But here's what I happily devoured today.
- Spicy beef-belly pho (우삼겹얼큰쌀국수) ₩12,000
- Bun cha (분짜, grilled pork with noodles and dipping sauce) ₩14,000
- Summer rolls (월남쌈, 4 pieces) ₩6,000
- Cola ₩2,000
How spicy is the spicy beef-belly pho?
The spicy beef-belly pho is topped with tender, nutty beef belly, so the rich meat flavor and the spicy broth are nicely balanced. It's a pleasant kind of spicy that even people who can't handle heat can enjoy, going "ssss-haaah" as they eat.
The bun cha at Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch has thin noodles
Bun cha is the dish where you dip charcoal-scented meat, vegetables and noodles in a sweet and sour sauce!!!! What sets the bun cha here apart is the thin noodles. Because they're thin, the sauce doesn't just slide off; it soaks in between the strands and the savory flavor felt doubled. Slurping down the thin noodles felt great too.
Summer rolls (4 pieces), a great side for your main
The summer rolls (월남쌈) were the perfect side to go with a main! Fresh, crunchy vegetables and fillings come packed tightly in rice paper, and just looking at them made me feel healthier. Dipped in chili sauce, they refresh your mouth so cleanly that I could eat them endlessly T_T💕
Would I recommend Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch for solo pho near Isu Station?
If you're looking for a clean restaurant near Isu Station that's good for eating alone, or a tasty pho place you can't go wrong with, I recommend Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch!!!!! It's close to the station, with a pleasant shop, a trustworthy open kitchen, and the generosity of free rice..🥰 I'll be back soon when I'm craving spicy broth😎
Where it is
1F, 50 Dongjak-daero 25-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 동작구 동작대로25길 50 1층
Bangbaedong Pho Isu: hours, menu and prices →
