Dim Sign Wanderer · 27 stories

Under the Dim Sign

I write about bars I visit around Seoul and the evenings they hold. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Cafés · Things to do

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Japanese rice bowl date near Yeoksam Station: eel & salmon, Yangsando

Yangsando Yeoksam (양산도 역삼점) is a Japanese rice bowl restaurant on Nonhyeon-ro 85-gil, between Yeoksam Station and Gangnam Station in Seoul, known for hitsumabushi (Nagoya-style freshwater eel over rice) and sakedon (salmon rice bowl). On a Gangnam date the writer ordered hitsumabushi (27,000 won), sakedon (17,000 won) and extra salmon (6 pieces, 6,000 won); both the sweet-salty glazed eel and the fresh raw salmon satisfied, and the set came with salad, chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) and cold soba. For a clean Japanese rice bowl date or office lunch near Gangnam Station and Yeoksam Station, Yangsando Yeoksam is a good choice.

Written May 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Hot pot restaurant, Euljiro 3-ga: group dinner & rib suyuk, Paldal

Paldal Neoguri Haejang Euljiro 3-ga Station branch is a Korean restaurant specializing in hangover soup and hot pot, right outside Exit 8 of Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. For a dinner with friends, the group ordered the Paldal beef hot pot (spicy, medium, 38,000 won) and the Paldal bone-in rib suyuk (boiled beef ribs, for 2-3 people, 55,000 won), and both came with generous meat and a deep yet clean broth that went well with drinks. When you want a hearty hot pot and a drink in Euljiro 3-ga, Paldal Neoguri Haejang is a solid pick.

Written May 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jongno 3-ga Korean BBQ, Nokdon belly & milk thistle with soju: Cham

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch is a black pork and Boseong Nokdon pork BBQ restaurant on the 1st floor of the CGV Piccadilly Theater at Jongno 3-ga Station in Seoul. At Cham Dwaejitgan, staff grilled the Boseong Nokdon pork belly and flower neck (16,000 won per 150g each), the 5,000-won soju came with milk thistle, and the meal also included oil-soaked potato wraps, doenjang stew and Jirisan kudzu bibim naengmyeon. With smoky staff-grilled pork and roomy seating, Cham Dwaejitgan is a solid pick for group dinners in Jongno 3-ga.

Written May 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulRestaurants

Date-night Korean BBQ in Yeonsinnae: 500g galbisal platter, Golmokjip

Golmokjip Galbisal Yeonsinnae Main Branch (골목집갈비살 연신내본점) is a retro-style Korean BBQ restaurant specializing in beef rib meat (galbisal), tucked in an alley off Yeonsinnae Rodeo Street in Eunpyeong, Seoul. On a date, the writer grilled the 500g beef rib platter (68,900 won) over real charcoal and added the doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) included with the platter, plus a 5,900 won bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles). Between the juicy rib meat, the generous portion and the bibim naengmyeon, which turns into a brothy mul naengmyeon once you pour in the broth, Golmokjip Galbisal made for a satisfying meal.

Written May 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulRestaurants

Eungam Korean BBQ date: pork sampler and press-grilled skin, Yukjjip

Yukjjip is a Jirisan black pork Korean BBQ restaurant right beside Bulgwangcheon stream, near Exit 4 of Eungam Station in Eunpyeong, Seoul. On a Bulgwangcheon walking date, we had staff grill the Yukjjip sampler (600g, 54,000 won) of gabeurisal (pork neck cap), pork neck and pork belly in turn, then finished with handmade pork skin (7,000 won) that we pressed and grilled ourselves and dipped in soybean powder. Juicy thick cuts, a pleasant dining room and even a fabric deodorizer on the way out made Yukjjip a satisfying pork BBQ spot near Eungam Station.

Written May 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam sashimi restaurant with beef tendon suyuk: Guwol-ui Socheol

Guwol-ui Socheol (구월의 소철) is a mungtigi (thick-cut fresh raw beef) and sashimi restaurant on the B1 floor of 343 Hakdong-ro, Gangnam, Seoul, right outside Exit 3 of Gangnam-gu Office Station. The writer ordered the sashimi set for two (59,000 won) with mungtigi, Korean beef sashimi, Korean beef minari yukhoe and salmon sashimi, plus Korean beef tendon suyuk (boiled sliced tendon, 32,000 won) and a Burnt Barley highball, and was happy with the chewy mungtigi, well-marbled beef sashimi and meat-packed tendon suyuk. With basalt interiors and private rooms, Guwol-ui Socheol is a Gangnam-gu Office Station restaurant worth recommending for dates, company dinners or a first meeting between families.

Written May 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Rice bowl takeout, Yongsan Station: pre-KTX lounge meal, Ppareuju

Ppareuju Deopbap & Gangjeong (빠르쥬 덮밥&강정) is a takeout-focused rice bowl and dakgangjeong (sweet glazed fried chicken) shop on the 3rd floor of Yongsan Station in Seoul, on the way to the KTX platforms. With an awkward wait before the train, the writer took out a spicy pork rice bowl, a chicken tempura rice bowl, a small dakgangjeong and cream shrimp. The writer ate them in the Korail lounge next door, and even the 7,500-won bowls were generous. For a filling, good-value meal before a KTX at Yongsan Station, Ppareuju Deopbap & Gangjeong is a good fit.

Written May 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulThings to do

Neon forest indoor camping date on Hongdae's club street: TAGE

TAGE Indoor Camping Hongdae Main Branch is an indoor campsite on basement level 1 along Hongdae's club street in Mapo, Seoul, where you grill meat and hang out inside a tent. On a date at TAGE Indoor Camping, the writer paid the table fee, ordered 2 servings of fresh pork belly (₩14,500 per serving), ate the pork belly with beer while watching Netflix, then filled 3 hours with the karaoke machine, board games and Nintendo. Verdict: TAGE is an unusual Hongdae date spot that delivers a real camping mood in the middle of the city, whatever the weather.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Station shabu restaurant: clear broth and 180g beef, Deungchon

Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Seoul Station branch is a shabu-shabu and kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant on the first floor of Gateway Tower in Yongsan, Seoul, right outside Seoul Station Exit 11. The writer ordered the clear-broth mushroom kalguksu (11,000 won per person) with an extra 180g of shabu beef, then ate minari (Korean water parsley) and mushroom shabu, then kalguksu, then fried rice, finding the broth refreshing and the beef tender. For a filling meal that is easy on the stomach near Seoul Station, Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu is good value.

Written May 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulBars

Ikseon-dong hanok alley bar for hibiscus lychee beer: Bogle House

Bogle House (보글하우스) is a craft beer and pizza bar in the hanok alley of Ikseon-dong, Jongno, Seoul. On a date night, the writer started with an Asahi Mulico welcome drink, then had Bubble Bogle Hibiscus & Lychee, Daerongdaerong IPA, Hoppytoppy NE IPA and Asahi draft with a 25,000-won pepperoni pizza. With dim lighting and a wide range of draft beers, Bogle House is a good Ikseon-dong date spot for pizza and beer.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Sangsu board game bar with Da Vinci Code and mocktails: BLab Hongdae

BLab Hongdae is an unlimited-cocktail board game bar on Jandari-ro, between Sangsu Station and Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a date for round two, the writer had BLab Hongdae's ₩18,000 unlimited cocktails with butter popcorn, sfogliatine and Hangang ramyeon, and played the free board game Da Vinci Code for two. With plenty of non-alcoholic cocktails, BLab Hongdae is a good Hongdae date bar for a partner who doesn't drink much.

Written Jun 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Yangjae takeout pie shop, Premium Assorted Pie: Hodu Kkakki Brothers

Hodu Kkakki Brothers (호두까끼형제) is a takeout-only handmade pie shop in a Dogok-dong alley near Exit 4 of Yangjae Station in Gangnam, Seoul. The writer took home the Premium Assorted Pie (34,900 won, 8 slices in 4 flavors) and tasted the hazelnut cacao, pecan, signature walnut and macadamia cheese pies one by one. With its neat box and good looks, Hodu Kkakki Brothers is a strong pick for a dessert gift near Yangjae Station.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored