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Tin Cup, Seoul Restaurants

Writes about neighborhood restaurants across Seoul, one modest meal at a time. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars

Gwanghwamun sushi, engawa add-ons & shrimp tempura: Elephant Sushi

Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun is a sushi restaurant on basement level 1 of KT Tower, connected to Gwanghwamun Station in Jongno, Seoul. The Elephant B set (28,000 won) came with mini cold soba, monkfish liver and swordfish cheese sushi, and single orders of engawa, sea bream, salmon and egg sushi plus 6 pieces of plump shrimp tempura were added. Because you can add only the sushi you want, Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun made a satisfying sushi lunch in Gwanghwamun.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored

PlaceDongdaemun, SeoulRestaurants

Hoegi, Seoul galbitang spot with double takeout broth: Hoegi Wang

Hoegi Wang Galbitang (회기왕갈비탕) is a galbitang (beef short rib soup) restaurant in Dongdaemun, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Hoegi Station. After waiting behind 2 groups at a weekend lunch, the writer had the Stamina Recovery Galbitang for 2 (₩32,000): ribs that come off the bone with one snip of the scissors, a deep broth, and free misugaru (roasted grain drink) and barley snacks at the entrance. For a family meal in Hoegi, Hoegi Wang Galbitang is well worth recommending.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gongdeok salad shop for meat lovers: duck & tofu noodles, Why Starve

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is a salad and protein box shop on the B1 level of Lotte Castle President, connected to Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer took out a Smoked Duck Light with honey mustard and a teriyaki Chicken Tofu Noodles box at ₩9,900 each, and liked the generous portions, wide variety of vegetables, well-seasoned chicken and nutty tofu noodles. Why Starve Diet is a solid Gongdeok salad shop for anyone who won't eat a salad without meat.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored

PlaceDongdaemun, SeoulRestaurants

Oedae Station taco spot revisit: combo platter & cream pasta, Eaters

Eaters Mexican HUFS Branch is a Mexican restaurant on the 3rd floor of a new building on Hwigyeong-ro in Dongdaemun, Seoul, a 2-minute walk from Oedae Station. The writer liked the tacos and chipotle cream pasta enough to return and ordered the combo platter for two (36,900 won). Even for someone who struggles with rich, creamy food, the chipotle cream pasta at Eaters Mexican HUFS Branch was savory and delicious, and the nacho chips with buffalo wings are a must-order.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Mangwon date bar: peach spirit and brazier-warmed jeon, Jeongju Ilga

Jeongju Ilga (정주일가) is a Korean gastropub with a converted-house feel on the main street of Mangwon in Mapo, Seoul, 8 minutes on foot from Mangwon Station. On a weekday evening, the peach distilled spirit Dowon Gyeorui (13,000 won) and the half-and-half jeon (20,000 won), half bulgogi chive pancake and half Yeosu gat kimchi (mustard-leaf kimchi) cheese pancake, came on a brazier that kept the jeon warm and crisp to the last bite. With soft lighting and a wide range of traditional Korean liquors, Jeongju Ilga is worth recommending for a final drink on a Mangwon date.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Striploin gyukatsu near Seoul Station for a Namsan Tower date: Ichigyu

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch (이치규 서울역점) is a Japanese gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on B1 of the LG Seoul Station Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, a 2-minute walk from Seoul Station. On a weekday evening the blogger ordered striploin gyukatsu for two (₩38,000), brushed it with butter and grilled it on the mini brazier at each seat, and found the wasabi and chili sauce pairing especially good. With mostly two-person seating, Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a solid pick for a couple's meal before or after a Namsan Tower date.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Blue Ribbon Indian restaurant in Dongmyo: two thali sets at Namaste

Namaste Dongmyo Branch is an Indian and Nepali restaurant at Dongmyo Station in Jongno, Seoul, and has held a Blue Ribbon for 9 years since 2018. A Nepali thali (chicken) for 14,000 won, an Indian thali for 15,000 won and a strawberry lassi for 5,000 won made a full spread of samosa, curry and naan, finished with lemon tea. Namaste Dongmyo Branch is a good curry stop after shopping on the Dongdaemun toy street.

Written Aug 3, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

24-hour Itaewon Korean restaurant: sujebi bone soup for two, Nuri

Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch is a 24-hour gamjatang (pork bone stew) and bone hangover soup restaurant on the second floor, right in front of Itaewon Station in Yongsan, Seoul. The writer ordered sujebi bone hangover soup (sujebi means hand-torn dough) for two at 24,000 won and ate the chewy dough and tender pork backbone meat with pickled onions and kimchi from the self-serve bar. Open 24 hours with a spacious dining room, Nuri Maeul Gamjatang is a dependable choice for hangover soup or a group meal in Itaewon.

Written Aug 7, 2026Sponsored

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