Afternoon Ledger, Seoul Cafes and Restaurants — Afternoon Cafe Log

Gwanghwamun gyukatsu late lunch: tantanmen and mini curry, Ichigyu

Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on basement level 1 of Le Meilleur Jongno Town in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Two adults had a late lunch there around 3pm, ordering the sirloin gyukatsu (19,000 won) with tantanmen (11,000 won) and a mini curry (5,000 won), as the tenderloin gyukatsu was sold out. Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch is worth recommending for lunch near Gwanghwamun and Jonggak: the sirloin gyukatsu, grilled in melted butter on a personal brazier, is tender, and the tantanmen and curry are good value.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulCafés

Gwanghwamun café for a decaf oat latte and financier: Center Coffee

Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is a Blue Ribbon café on the first basement floor (B1) of SFC Mall in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. The writer ordered an oat latte switched to decaf, an iced americano and a financier (small French butter cake), and called the decaf oat latte the best decaf latte they had ever tasted. Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is a good pick for anyone sensitive to caffeine who doesn't want to give up real coffee flavor.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Okonomiyaki restaurant in Mullae with heaped bonito flakes: Jojo

Jojo Mullae Branch is a Japanese teppan restaurant on Dorim-ro in Mullae, Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, where staff cook okonomiyaki, yakisoba and monjayaki on the griddle built into your table. On a Thursday evening, two adults ordered the Signature set for two (39,000 won) with a beer and a strawberry ade, eating tonpeiyaki, Jojo yakisoba and Jojo okonomiyaki in turn. Verdict: the Jojo okonomiyaki, heaped with bonito flakes, was the best okonomiyaki the writer has ever eaten.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored