Lantern Coaster · 9 stories

Coaster by the Lantern Door

Writes about restaurants and bars around Seoul, recalling what was on the table and how each evening felt. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Things to do

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulBars

Euljiro pub for round two: skirt steak yukhoe sashimi at Yukhoegwan

Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro (육회관포차 을지로점) is a Hanwoo beef yukhoe (Korean raw beef tartare) pub near Exit 11 of Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, filling an entire three-story building with 120 seats. On a second round with friends, the writer ordered skirt steak yukhoe sashimi, Hanwoo yukhoe and the uni (sea urchin) set with soju and a Suntory highball, and the beef was so tender, never chewy, that the table finished everything despite already being full. The signature same-day-slaughtered mungtigi (thick-cut fresh raw beef) was sold out late in the evening, but Yukhoegwan Pocha Euljiro is a good second-round stop for fresh yukhoe and beef sashimi.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Thai restaurant in Euljiro: extra noodles in leng saep sauce, Kkai 9

Kkai 9 (까이9) is a Thai restaurant on Chungmuro 5-gil near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. Arriving with friends around 8 PM, the writer waited about 15 minutes. The group ate spicy beef rib pho (₩15,000), moo ping pork skewers and the signature leng saep spicy pork spine stew (₩35,000), then finished with extra noodles (₩3,500) tossed in the leftover leng saep sauce. Verdict: if you order leng saep at Kkai 9, add the noodles too.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu okonomiyaki bar, 2-person selection with a friend: Oshi Black

Oshi Black Seongsu is an okonomiyaki bar and Japanese teppanyaki restaurant on the basement level of 22-18 Seoulsup 4-gil in Seongdong, Seoul. Two friends sat at the bar and ordered the 2-person selection: potesara beans, a yakisoba pork belly roll, and a teppan omelet with cheese topping in place of the classic oshinomiyaki, plus a 200ml Kirin draft beer. The fluffy teppan omelet and small extras like a bear-shaped candle and mint candies make Oshi Black Seongsu a teppanyaki spot worth returning to.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulThings to do

Seongsu ring-making class date: first Ether couple rings, Robenta

Robenta Seongsu is a ring workshop near Seongsu Station Exit 3 in Seoul that runs one-day classes where you hand-finish a pre-shaped silver ring into a couple ring. A couple getting their first couple rings chose the Ether design, made each other's rings with no plating and only lettering engraving added, and after about 1 hour of hands-on work received the finished rings in under 50 minutes. At around ₩200,000s for two, Robenta Seongsu is a Seongsu date idea that leaves you with store-quality couple rings and a shared memory.

Written Oct 15, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu Station attic restaurant full at 3:30pm weekday: Seongsu Darak

Seongsu Darak (성수다락) is an attic-themed Western restaurant on the 2nd floor of the building next to the Musinsa Megastore, near Seongsu Station in Seoul. On a weekday visit at 3:30pm with her boyfriend, the writer found Seongsu Darak full even at that in-between hour and ordered the Darak omurice (omelette over fried rice), a katsu sando (Japanese cutlet sandwich) and a brisket perilla oil pasta. All three dishes satisfied, with the Darak omurice the top pick and the 4-piece katsu sando at 12,000 won good value for Seongsu prices.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJungnang, SeoulRestaurants

Myeonmok eel restaurant with an owner-grilled set for 2: Cheonsangae

Cheonsangae Jangeoga Myeonmok Sagajeong Branch is a charcoal-grilled freshwater eel restaurant on Myeonmok-ro in Jungnang, Seoul, between Myeonmok Station and Sagajeong Station. The writer and her boyfriend ordered the charcoal-grilled snow fungus and wild ginseng freshwater eel set for 2 (79,000 won) as a stamina meal. The owner grilled the eel for them, and they ate it with cultivated wild ginseng root, snow fungus, stone-pot sushi and Tongyeong salted oysters (eoriguljeot), finishing with a charcoal-roasted potato. Cheonsangae Jangeoga suits a date or family meal when you want to skip the grilling and focus on the eel.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Hangul Day eel buffet in Seongsu with a friend from Gimpo: Songnim Bok

Songnim Bok Jangeo Seongsu Branch is an all-you-can-eat charcoal-grilled freshwater eel restaurant on Seongdeokjeong-gil in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. On the Hangul Day holiday, the writer and a friend from Gimpo ordered the adult all-you-can-eat set for two, which costs 29,900 won per adult for 2 hours. The owner and staff grilled the domestic eel and duck and chicken neck for them, and they also got free black raspberry wine. With plump, non-fishy eel and 2 hours of eating, Songnim Bok Jangeo is a recommended value eel restaurant in Seongsu.

Written Oct 9, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeocho, SeoulBars

Gangnam jazz bar for a 900-day anniversary: Kim Daeho Trio, Flat Nine

Flat Nine is a live jazz dining bar between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station in Seocho, Seoul. For a 900-day anniversary, the writer and her boyfriend sat in the front row for a Thursday Kim Daeho Trio set and ate the Classic Course (78,000 won for two). The show and dessert were a delight, while a possibly missing course dish and a roughly 50-minute wait for the main were letdowns. Flat Nine is an anniversary date spot where the live jazz is more memorable than the food.

Written Oct 10, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYongsan, SeoulBars

Hannam-dong hookah bar with house music: lemon mint hookah, EOD Hannam

EOD Hannam is a hookah bar and cocktail bar on the 3rd floor on Daesagwan-ro in Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Seoul. A non-smoker and friends ordered a Beginner lemon + mint hookah (₩50,000) with a Long Island Iced Tea, a Virgin Piña Colada and a Zero Coke. They loved the house music, dark, moody lighting, blankets and clean restroom, though hookah plus alcohol left the writer a little dizzy. EOD Hannam suits anyone who wants hookah and cocktails with music and atmosphere instead of a rowdy pub.

Written Oct 1, 2026Sponsored

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