Bao set for two at Bao Seoul Chungmuro, a Jung-gu Taiwanese spot
In short
Bao Seoul Chungmuro is a Taiwanese restaurant a 3-minute walk from Exit 5 of Chungmuro Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. Its two-person set brings together the signature dishes at once — classic bao, a braised pork belly rice bowl, beef noodle soup and a drink — with chewy bao buns, soy-braised-style pork belly and a beef noodle broth carrying a subtle sour note. The set works out better value than ordering each dish separately, so Bao Seoul Chungmuro suits a casual meal for two.
Good to know
- Address
- 31 Toegye-ro 27-gil, 1F Unit 1, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Hours
- Daily 11:00–21:30
- Break time
- 15:00–16:00
- Last order
- 20:45
- Two-person set includes
- Classic bao, braised pork belly rice bowl, beef noodle soup, drink
- Individual prices
- Classic bao 12,000 won / braised pork belly rice bowl 15,000 won / beef noodle soup 17,000 won
- Seating
- 6–7 tables plus bar seats
- Getting there
- 3-minute walk from Chungmuro Station Exit 5; also Euljiro 3-ga Station Exit 9 or an 8-minute walk from Myeongdong Station
- Price reference
- ₩12,000 ≈ $8.9 · ₩15,000 ≈ $11 · ₩17,000 ≈ $12.5 (2026-09-15)
as written by the visitor on Sep 5, 2026
I had some business near Chungmuro Station after a long while, so I stopped by Namsangol Hanok Village like I used to and then headed to this restaurant. It's a Taiwanese place, and every time I've eaten here I've left in a good mood. It's close to Chungmuro Station and has that authentic Taiwan-local feel, so if you haven't been yet, it's worth a visit. (I've never actually been to Taiwan, but I imagine it feels just like this.) Here's my review of Bao Seoul Chungmuro, let's go.
Where is Bao Seoul Chungmuro, and what are its hours?
- Address: 31 Toegye-ro 27-gil, 1F, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Hours: Daily 11:00–21:30
- Break time: 15:00–16:00
- Last order: 20:45
Walking route from Chungmuro Station Exit 5
Coming out of Chungmuro Station Exit 5, it's just a 3-minute walk. You can also walk from Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station Exit 9, or from Myeongdong Station in about 8 minutes, so accessibility is great. The location is so transit-friendly that personally I think taking the subway here is the way to go.
Inside Bao Seoul Chungmuro: a Taiwanese street-food mood
The moment you open the door at Bao Seoul Chungmuro, you get a strong sense of stepping into a local Taiwanese eatery. There are Chinese-character signage on the walls and decor reminiscent of Taiwanese streets, with a mix of tables and bar seating.
The space isn't huge — it's a cozy spot with about 6-7 tables. There are bar seats too, so solo dining works, and it's a perfect size for a date or small gathering of 2-4. (Though 4 people might be a bit of a squeeze!)
Bao Seoul Chungmuro menu and the two-person set
Bao Seoul blends Taiwanese cuisine with Korean and Western touches to suit Korean palates. Maybe that's why, even after finishing a meal, I find myself thinking about it later.
The menu is quite varied: four kinds of bao (classic, chicken, shrimp, lamb), braised pork belly rice bowl, lamb rice bowl, Taiwanese beef noodle soup, gopchang (beef intestine) noodles, mazesoba, cold peanut noodles, ji-pai fried chicken cutlet, and Sichuan-style water dumplings, among others.
If you're overwhelmed by the choices, the set menu is a convenient option. The two-person set comes with a classic bao, braised pork belly rice bowl, beef noodle soup, and a drink, so you get to try all the signature dishes at once. The kiosk shows how to eat each dish, so even first-timers can figure it out naturally.
Classic bao: the Taiwanese take on a burger
The classic bao came out first, and it's adorable just to look at. Between white, flower-bun-like buns is a generous pile of shredded braised pork belly, topped with cilantro and crushed peanuts.
The bun is genuinely excellent. It's chewy yet fluffy, and it made me imagine this is probably what it tastes like in Taiwan itself. The pork belly is so tender that biting into it together with the bun feels like eating a Korean-style meat bun (gogi hoppang).
Braised pork belly rice bowl and Taiwanese beef noodle soup
The braised pork belly rice bowl comes with the pork piled on rice, tender enough to tear apart with chopsticks easily. (Think of it as similar to Korean jangjorim, soy-braised meat.) The pickled cucumber served alongside is crisp and tangy-sweet, which cuts through the richness nicely.
The beef noodle soup has a broth with subtle spice notes, and behind the saltiness there's a faint sourness that makes it distinctive. (Kind of addictive, honestly.)
The meat is cut thick and braised until soft and tender. The noodles are springy and chewy too.
Is the two-person set enough food for two?
The two-person set includes one bao, one rice bowl, one noodle dish, and a drink, so the portion is just about right for two. If you order everything separately, it's ₩12,000 for the classic bao, ₩15,000 for the braised pork belly rice bowl, and ₩17,000 for the beef noodle soup — so the set is clearly the better value.
They also have Taiwanese beer on the drinks menu, and pairing it with the food would probably make the whole experience even better. Located within easy reach of Chungmuro, Euljiro, and Myeongdong, with genuine Taiwanese local vibes on top, this place is great for a date or casual get-together. When you're craving something exotic for a meal, let's go to Bao Seoul Chungmuro.
Where it is
31 Toegye-ro 27-gil, 1F, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 중구 퇴계로27길 31 1층 1호
