Seongsu restaurant with table-bell ordering: steak at Seongsu Darak

I've had a lot on my mind lately and get down sometimes, so as a bit of a mood-lifter Bin and I went on a Seongsu date and stopped by Seongsu Darak, a Seongsu pasta spot everyone talks about.

It's famous as a Seongsu blind-date and date spot, and honestly I got it immediately. Great atmosphere, gorgeous plating, friendly staff, and the food was solid too.

• Exterior: converted house
• Interior
• Menu
• Steak & pasta
• Overall verdict

So let me give you my honest review of Seongsu Darak.

Where is Seongsu Darak? A red-brick house converted into a restaurant

A 5–10 minute walk from Seongsu Station and you spot Seongsu Darak, easy to notice with its red brick and white walls. Apparently it's a converted residential house.

It looks like it used to be a villa, and they've done a really special job decorating it.

Waiting is essential on weekends, and apparently people wait on this staircase. That's probably why the stairwell and hallway had their own air conditioning installed — impressive. Guess that shows how much they think of their guests?

Inside Seongsu Darak: first floor full on a weekday evening, second-floor and group seats

Seongsu Darak has two floors.

The white tones and floor-to-ceiling windows give it a clean, calm feel.

Even though it was a weekday early evening, the first floor was full, so we were shown to the second floor — which actually felt more spacious.

There are group tables and group reservations are possible, so it could also work as a Seongsu brunch gathering spot.

Soft background music, a cute interior, and a clean atmosphere — perfect for a date.

The in-house restroom was clean too, and mouthwash was provided.

The self bar had filtered water, cold water, disposables, and aprons, so it was easy to use.

The Seongsu Darak menu and the table bell: how ordering works

Seongsu Darak gives you a bell along with the menu. Ring it and someone comes to take your order.

It's kind of like a princess experience...?

The pork collar steak was in the ₩20,000s, which felt reasonable for Seongsu prices, and distinctive items like corn gnocchi and perilla pasta stood out.

After ordering, they set out pretty cutlery, and the food came out pretty quickly.

How the pork collar steak, brisket perilla pasta and Darak ade tasted

We ordered the signature Darak ade.

The cup alone was totally signature...! The pineapple-shaped glass was memorable. Refreshing and sweet pineapple flavor, perfect for cutting through richness.

The steak came with grilled vegetables and mashed potato, and it looked genuinely great.

The meat wasn't tough at all, it was tender, and the grilled vegetables were a nice kick. The mash paired well too.

Since the price was reasonable I expected a small portion, but it was actually generous.

The pasta had an unusual topping of perilla leaf and perilla seeds, so I was really curious how it would taste.

The brisket was chewy but not tough, and even though it's an oil-based pasta with brisket, the spiciness kept it from feeling greasy. It's a pasta, but it had a slight Korean-food feel to it, so I'd recommend it to foreign guests too.

Verdict: is Seongsu Darak a good date spot in Seongsu?

The food and atmosphere were both great, but what made me even happier was how kind the male staff member who served us was that day.

Great atmosphere, tasty food — I'd recommend it if you're looking for a date spot.

Date at Seongsu Darak and you might just come off as the girlfriend (or boyfriend) with good taste!

Seongsu Darak, our Seongsu date was a success