Coffee Mapper · 75 stories

Seoul Coffee Map

I write about cafes I visit in Seoul and my impressions of each place. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sangam-dong pho restaurant for a spicy hangover lunch: Pho 36 Street

Pho 36 Street Sangam is a Vietnamese pho restaurant on basement level 1 of Nurikkum Square in Sangam-dong, Mapo, Seoul. Before a football match at Seoul World Cup Stadium, the writer ordered spicy beef pho, a pork rice bowl with soba sauce and bun thit nuong (mixed rice noodles); the spicy beef pho, made with Vietnamese chili and cheongyang chili (a hot Korean pepper), had a sharp heat that settled the stomach. On a day you crave a spicy broth, Pho 36 Street Sangam is worth recommending for lunch or a hangover meal near Digital Media City.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulBars

Gangnam bar for a family get-together: ales and stouts at Beer Room

Beer Room is a two-floor beer bar with lots of beer taps, located behind the CGV at Gangnam Station in Seoul. A beer-loving family of five chose Beer Room's 1-hour unlimited alcohol and soft drinks deal at 15,000 won per person, drinking ales, a sour beer and stouts alongside calamari, nacho chips and onion rings. Beer Room suits anyone who picks a bar by its beer selection, groups, and people looking for a quiet second round.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulBars

Sharosu-gil neon bar: dakdoritang with rice and somaek, Hwarong Jujeom

Hwarong Jujeom (화룡주점) is a Korean pub on Sharosu-gil near Seoul National University Station in Gwanak, Seoul, built around dakdoritang (spicy braised chicken). After leaving work on time on a weekday, the writer stopped in for dinner and drinks, mixed a bowl of rice into the boneless pressure-cooker dakdoritang, and added a katsu sando with somaek (soju mixed with beer). Hwarong Jujeom pairs the taste of a classic dakdoritang spot near campus with a neon Hong Kong-style bar mood, making it a good first stop after work.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Family-gathering Korean BBQ in Bangbae: flower rib at Seonhwa's Meat

Seonhwa's Meat Bangbae Main Branch is a Blue Ribbon Korean beef BBQ restaurant in front of Naebang Station in Seocho, Seoul. The writer ordered half plates of sirloin (33,000 won), flower rib (45,000 won) and garlic-aged marinated rib-finger meat (36,000 won), plus the Uiroun Set (15,000 won) and mul-naengmyeon (cold noodles). The chilled beef tasted clean with no gamey odor, and staff grilled and explained each cut at the table. For a family gathering or company dinner near Bangbae-dong or Isu Station, Seonhwa's Meat is a recommended beef BBQ spot.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Yongsan hot pot, ₩53,000 lunch set & eggplant: Mamalala Hotpot

Mamalala Hotpot (마마라라 훠궈) is a hot pot restaurant on the 2nd floor at Hangang-daero, near Sinyongsan Station and Yongsan Station in Seoul. During a shopping trip to Yongsan I'Park Mall, the blogger ordered the 2-person lunch set (₩53,000) with red broth and cream white broth, then added fish-fragrant eggplant and bunmoja (wide sweet potato noodles); the cream white broth and the sauce bar included in the set were the standouts. Mamalala Hotpot's lunch set is a solid pick for good-value hot pot in Yongsan.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulCafés

Trip-planning café at Gyodae: Tomaneid, s'mores cookie — Mini Male

Mini Male Coffee Roaster Gyodae Court Branch is a black-interior coffee roastery café right in front of Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul. On a weekend evening after dinner, the writer stopped by to plan a trip and tried the signature Helsinki Latte, Tomaneid (a tomato-lemon drink), an apple crumble financier and a s'mores cookie; the bakery selection was small near closing time, but the café was quiet and cozy. Mini Male Gyodae Court Branch is worth recommending as a calm evening café and a place to pick up baked goods as gifts for the office.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Half-day-off Hapjeong pizzeria, ricotta on salmon pizza: Pizzeria O

Pizzeria O Hapjeong Station is a wood-fired pizza restaurant near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a weekday afternoon half day off, the writer had ricotta cheese salad, salmon pizza and Gamberi rosé crema pasta with Stella draft beer, and especially loved the light, naturally fermented dough and topping the salmon pizza with ricotta from the salad. A fan since the Daehak-ro original, the writer found Pizzeria O Hapjeong Station just as satisfying after a long break.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Konkuk Univ. BYOB bar: Japanese whisky with yakiniku set, Yukhoe

Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch is a yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) bar in Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin, Seoul, between the Sejong University back gate and Children's Grand Park Station, open until 6 a.m. On a Friday evening with friends, the writer ordered the yakiniku, salmon, yukhoe and 2-highball set plus rice balls, fries and extra yukhoe, and used the free corkage to drink whisky bought on a trip to Japan. With fresh yukhoe and ₩3,900 side dishes, Yukhoe Gongjakso Sejong University branch is a good-value bar for both dinner and a second round in one place.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Gyodae work-dinner Korean BBQ: basil sauce and ₩3,900 soju, Galgol

Galgol Yeontanjip Seocho Gyodae Branch (감골연탄집 서초교대점) is a retro, old-school Korean BBQ restaurant near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul. On a weekend evening the writer had 2 servings of special pork neck, 1 serving of pork belly, chicken feet and doenjang (soybean paste) stew, and the basil sauce, the scallion salad refilled three times and the juicy pork neck stood out. With soju at ₩3,900, Galgol Yeontanjip is a solid pick for a Gyodae work dinner or a first round of drinks.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGuro, SeoulBars

Guro izakaya with open-air window seats and spicy jjamppong: Hoyo Gudi

Hoyo Gudi Branch (호요 구디점) is a teppanyaki and highball izakaya on the 2nd floor of a building near Exit 3 of Guro Digital Complex Station in Guro, Seoul. After work, the writer and a friend sat at a window seat with the windows wide open and ordered Jim Beam highballs, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and spicy jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup). Hoyo Gudi Branch also brought free zucchini jeon and homemade potato chips. On a cool evening, Hoyo Gudi Branch has an open-air feel that makes it a good after-work izakaya near Guro Digital Complex.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Yeouido after-dinner cocktail bar with a Godfather: Chil Coffee Bar

Chil Coffee Bar National Assembly Station branch is a café by day and a whisky and cocktail bar by night, near National Assembly Station in Yeouido, Seoul. After dinner, the writer sat at an outdoor table at Chil Coffee Bar and had a Godfather cocktail, Arran 10 whisky and a Japanese highball. The free onion-seasoned popcorn was refilled without asking. With jazz and pop, a DJ and big speakers with great sound, Chil Coffee Bar National Assembly Station branch is a Yeouido bar worth recommending for a date or a second round.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwacheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Free-corkage duck BBQ in Gwacheon, roast & jumulleok set: Deo Chadol

Deo Chadol (더차돌) is a duck restaurant near Seonbawi Station in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, close to Seoul Land, Seoul Grand Park and Gwacheon National Science Museum. On a weekday evening after work, the writer ordered the Deo Chadol 2-person set: duck roast with minari, duck jumulleok (duck in house-made marinade), crispy pan-pressed fried rice and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew). Portions were generous and the staff were friendly. With free corkage and no bottle limit, Deo Chadol is a spot the writer would return to for family gatherings and work dinners.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored