Seongsu Thai restaurant for beef pho and tom yum talay: Thanon55

I was trying to decide what to eat for lunch in Seongsu, got a craving for Thai food, and ended up at Thanon55.

I'm pretty into Thai food, and the moment I tasted this place, it genuinely reminded me of the flavors I had in Thailand. It wasn't too unfamiliar for a Korean palate, but the distinctive character of Thai food was still fully there, which made it really satisfying.

Where Thanon55 is in Seongsu and what's on the menu

Thanon55 is located at 16 Ttukseom-ro 9-gil in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. It's a convenient spot to stop for lunch while wandering around Seongsu, so it should work well for anyone looking for Seongsu lunch spots. The menu ranges from pho to tom yum, so it's also a good pick for a group where everyone wants to order something different.

Does Thanon55's Thai food taste authentic without heavy spices?

What I liked most here was that I could really taste something close to authentic Thai flavor. Thai food can be divisive because of its spices, but Thanon55 kept its distinctive character while staying easy to eat. Personally, I prefer this over Thai food that's been overly adapted for Korean tastes, so I enjoyed it even more.

How is the beef pho broth at Thanon55?

I ordered the beef pho. The first sip of broth was deep and rich — good stuff. There was a hint of garlic too, which suits Korean tastes well, and there was no strong spice flavor. Clean.

The noodles and broth went well together, and with the beef on top it was hearty enough to count as a full meal. If you like pho and you're in Seongsu, this is worth trying.

Tom yum talay seafood pho: sour, spicy and full of seafood

The other dish we ordered was the tom yum talay seafood pho, and honestly, this one had real charm.

The sour, spicy flavor and aroma that's characteristic of tom yum were fully alive, and it kept pulling me back for more with every spoonful. With the seafood in it, the broth felt even richer. If you're a tom yum fan, this is a dish I'd personally recommend.

31,000 won for two at Thanon55

We ordered the beef pho and the tom yum seafood pho for two people, and the total came to ₩31,000.

Considering what a lunch in Seongsu usually costs, it wasn't a burden at all, and more than anything, I was happy with how much I liked the food. It was even better since the two of us ordered different dishes and shared.

Pho at Thanon55 that tastes like Thailand

This was the part that impressed me most about Thanon55. There are a lot of Thai restaurants these days, but plenty of them taste pretty different from what you'd actually eat in Thailand. Here, though, one bite naturally brought back the pho I'd had in Thailand. The aroma and flavor in the broth in particular were great.

Deciding where to eat lunch in Seongsu-dong

There are so many great restaurants in Seongsu, but if you keep eating pasta or meat every time, there are days you crave something different.

That's the kind of day this place is good for — a bowl of Thai pho. There's the beef pho, which is relatively easy to eat, and the tom yum, which really shows off the charm of Thai food, so it's easy to pick depending on your mood.

The Thanon55 pho combo worth ordering again

Having tried it myself, I get why Thai food lovers seek this place out. I especially loved the combo of the rich beef pho and the sour-spicy tom yum.

If you're looking for a good pho spot in Seongsu or want something different for lunch in Seongsu-dong, give Thanon55 a try. The taste reminded me so much of what I ate in Thailand that I think I'll be back whenever a Thai food craving hits in Seongsu.