Thai restaurant date for two in Seongsu: mu thod curry set at Thanon55

It had been a while since my husband and I had a date in Seongsu. This time I was craving Thai food instead of the usual, so I looked around and ended up at the Seongsu flagship of Thanon55.

The colorful sign at Thanon55 caught my eye right away.

Where is Thanon55 and how do you get there?

Thanon55 sits down an alley inside Seongsu, so there was some fun in hunting it down, and the moment I walked in the exotic atmosphere made me feel like I'd stepped into Thailand for a second.

The distinctly Thai colors and signage at the entrance stood out enough that I could spot it easily while walking through the Seongsu alleys. It felt totally different from the cafés and restaurants I usually see around Seongsu, so I was curious even before going in. The restaurant is on the second floor, so we went up the stairs and headed inside.

Inside Thanon55: yellow-and-blue tiles and the self-service corner

The inside of Thanon55 really nails the Thai vibe. Vivid yellow-and-blue patterned tiles and decorations were placed all around, so it was fun just to look around, and traditional Thai-style props stood out too.

There's a separate SELF corner off to one side, where you can grab plates, bowls, and side dishes yourself as needed. Even the display of colorful bowls fit perfectly with Thanon55's overall mood.

The space itself isn't big, but you can really feel the Thai-inspired interior throughout.

Every table has a tablet set up so you can order directly from your seat.

Heading further in, the yellow walls and antique tile decorations were the first thing that caught my eye.

There were window seats too, so the seating options were more varied than I expected.

Thai-style dishware, small props, and even elephant decorations were scattered around, giving the whole space quite an exotic feel. Built around yellow and blue, the space was layered with colorful tiles and vintage-style props, making it fun just to browse. In the kitchen, Thai staff were doing the actual cooking.

What two people ordered at Thanon55: mu thod curry and the noodle-and-rice set

We ordered the signature mu thod curry along with the Thai pho and shrimp fried rice set. Rather than ordering dishes separately, going for the set let us try several things together, which worked out well for choosing a menu as a couple.

Mu thod curry (fried pork curry) at Thanon55

The mu thod curry (fried pork curry) came generously topped with crispy fried pork, served with rice and curry sauce on the side. The signature fried pork was incredibly chewy, and dipping it in the sauce made it a real standout. It was also surprisingly good dipped in curry sauce and eaten with rice — a dish I kept reaching for.

Thai rice noodle soup and shrimp fried rice set

The Thai pho was loaded with bean sprouts, pork, shrimp, and tofu, and the broth was rich yet clean-tasting. Eating it alongside the shrimp fried rice let us go back and forth between noodles and rice, which was great for trying a variety of things together.

What's the difference between Thai and Vietnamese rice noodle soup?

Thanon55's Thai pho felt a bit different from the Vietnamese pho I usually eat. Unlike the clear, clean broth of Vietnamese pho, this one carried the distinct spice and savory depth of Thai cooking, and with bean sprouts, pork, shrimp, and tofu all mixed in, one bowl felt quite filling on its own. The broth wasn't overpowering either, so it was easy to finish without feeling heavy. The flavor was unfamiliar at first but kept pulling me back in, and comparing it to the more familiar Vietnamese pho made the difference even clearer.

Thanon55 is a great spot to hit up in Seongsu whenever you're craving Thai food. You can really taste the distinct spices and flavors of Thailand here, making it a nice change-of-pace meal. It was a good day out — a Seongsu date with my husband, eating Thai food together after a long while, and sharing a bunch of tasty dishes.

Thanon55 Seongsu main branch: hours and details

• Address: 16 Ttukseom-ro 9-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30-15:00 / 17:00-22:00, Sat 12:00-22:00
• Closed: Sundays