Sunlit Apgujeong Western restaurant for weekday lunch: Eulji Darak

This was my second visit to Eulji Darak (을지다락) Dosan Park. I'd been happy since three o'clock the day before, just thinking about eating Apgujeong pasta here. Last time I came on a date, and this time it was a weekday lunch, and once again I was super satisfied with the meal. Done and dusted!

Where is Eulji Darak Dosan Park, and what are its hours?

Eulji Darak Dosan Park is on the 2nd floor at 25 Eonju-ro 168-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and it's open daily from 11:30 to 21:15. Wi-Fi, group seating, reservations, takeout, delivery, high chairs, a waiting area and easy payment are all available.

It's in Apgujeong Rodeo, close to Gentle Monster and Nudake, so you can just stroll over. There's a standing sign at the bottom of the building, so it's not hard to find!

The bookshelf door and the daytime atmosphere

The entrance is a door that looks like a bookshelf. Even the second time, I find that bookshelf door so fascinating. Just push it and walk in.

Inside, 2-person and 4-person tables are nicely mixed, and it's clean, with wide gaps between tables, so the meal was comfortable. It filled up fast, probably because it was weekday lunchtime. The restaurant also gets lots of natural light, so it feels bright and airy, and coming in the daytime was so nice.

Water, tissues and pickles are self-service, and you can grab an apron yourself too.

Eulji Darak menu: what I ordered on my second visit

This weekday lunch I ordered three things: corn gnocchi (옥수수뇨끼), katsu sando (pork cutlet sandwich) and Darak omurice (omelet rice). Honestly, looking at the menu, there was SO much I wanted to eat. I had the Darak rosé pasta last time, so I picked the corn gnocchi this time. Whatever you order, this place wins!

FYI, if you write a Naver receipt review or a Google Maps review, you get a free drink~~

How is the Darak omurice? Runny eggs halved by the staff

The Darak omurice is Eulji Darak's signature dish, with soft, runny eggs fluffily wrapped over the rice. Moist from the very first bite, an insanely good omurice!!

The staff cuts it in half for you like this. It feels gentle on the stomach rather than harsh or heavy? The portion is generous too, and the eggs make it even more filling. The omelet is super soft with a runny inside, which makes it go even better with the omurice.

The fried rice inside is ketchup-based, but it isn't overly sour and the subtle sweetness comes through, so it's an easy flavor anyone can enjoy. Scoop it up with the egg and the creamy texture really comes alive, making the whole dish soft and mellow. The sauce isn't heavy either, so people like me who aren't sauce hogs will probably love it?!

Is the corn gnocchi too rich?

Eulji Darak's corn gnocchi comes in a corn-based cream sauce, with gnocchi that's lightly seared outside and chewy inside, so it's sweet and creamy at once. That chewy gnocchi texture is legendary. The seared outside adds nuttiness, and the gnocchi is sweet, nutty and thick and rich!

The corn gives you pops of sweetness as a texture highlight, and the cream and corn are both nutty, so it tastes even better. I didn't find it too heavy, either. There's plenty of bacon on top too.

Eulji Darak's katsu sando: why I finished it even when full

The outer bread of the katsu sando is toasted crisp while the inside stays soft, so the texture contrast is clear. The pork cutlet is thick but not tough, moist and juicy. The breading isn't overly thick, so you really taste the meat, which is a plus!

The sauce served with the katsu sando is like coleslaw, a mix of cabbage and cream sauce. It's a great combo with the sando. Tomato and pickles come out too, but they felt like decoration so I didn't eat them, haha.

Along with the Darak omurice, the katsu sando is one of Eulji Darak's signature dishes, so please do order it... We were stuffed, but we finished the katsu sando to the very end.

Even better the second time: Eulji Darak Dosan Park

Eulji Darak Dosan Park tasted even better on the second visit. If you're on a date in Apgujeong Rodeo or looking for Apgujeong pasta, give it a try. There's a reason it's been famous for so long! Highly recommend Eulji Darak, a top Apgujeong pasta spot 🎀🎀