Daehak-ro poke shop that won over a teen: brisket & steak, Sallering

Can one salad bowl in Daehak-ro really be this filling? If you want healthy food that doesn't compromise on flavor, I highly recommend Sallering!

Where to eat before a play when Daehak-ro restaurants have long waits?

Our small-theater play was getting close, but every restaurant was booked up or had a long line. We ended up at Sallering Daehak-ro (샐러링 대학로점), near Hyehwa Station. A bibim poke (Korean-style mixed poke bowl) comes out fast, so we had a little breathing room before the show.

It had been a really long time since I'd been on the Marronnier Park side of Hyehwa Station in Daehak-ro, and the street looks exactly the same! It's as if the same endless day were locked inside an invisible glass box. The overflowing energy of young people, plus the freshness of April, charged me up too.

We watched some buskers perform, and a fun crowd-gathering, recreation-style show too. We also looked for the red brick buildings by architect Kim Swoo-geun, which were featured last year on MBC's <Reasons Behind Architecture – Space Traveler>, and enjoyed a relaxed wander.

Of course we weren't the only ones who couldn't stay home in such perfect outing weather. It was packed everywhere. I really felt how many people were in Daehak-ro at mealtime. Every restaurant we tried was fully booked or had a long line. Our play tickets were nearly due, I was getting anxious... we needed somewhere for a quick bite right now. And that's how we ended up at Sallering Daehak-ro.

Since it's one bowl each, I figured turnover would be fast and, with nothing to cook, the food would come out quickly. I was right, and we had a bit of spare time before the play started.

How were the taste and portion at Sallering Daehak-ro?

The bibim poke at Sallering Daehak-ro was healthy yet tasty, and the portion was big enough to be a full meal. The staff were friendly too, so it was comfortable to stay.

There was a surprise, too. I'd assumed it would just be health food, but who knew it would taste this good?! If I could diet eating like this, I could do it 365 days a year without a single complaint or craving! It isn't the usual light salad; the well-balanced composition is enough for a meal. The portion is generous and satisfying, and the friendly staff added to the good experience.

A high school boy who normally refuses to eat even one cherry tomato in a salad kept saying "it's delicious" and scraped his bowl clean. That convinced me: this isn't food just for dieters, but a Daehak-ro restaurant I can recommend to anyone who wants a healthy lifestyle.

How to order bibim poke at Sallering

At Sallering Daehak-ro you order at the kiosk by the entrance, looking at photos and choosing a bibim poke, a base and a dressing in that order. You can also add ingredients, so it felt like building your own bowl.

• Choose a bibim poke salad
• Choose a base: brown rice and barley, whole wheat pasta, egg strips, or veggies only
• Choose a dressing to your taste
• Extra ingredients can be added

The ordering is kind of fun, too. Just use the kiosk at the entrance and order while looking at the photos.

Taste of the beef brisket and flame-grilled steak bibim poke

We ordered the beef brisket bibim poke and the flame-grilled steak bibim poke. We both love rice, so we chose brown rice and barley as the base, with "sweet soy" and "whole grain oil" dressings respectively. The first thing that struck me when the food arrived was the color.

The bowl, full of varied ingredients, made me feel healthier just looking at it, and that expectation carried through to the first bite. True to a Korean-style take on poke, the seasoning wasn't heavy, and the taste was familiar and comforting.

The brisket had a rich, sweet-salty flavor, while the grilled steak spread a subtle smoky char that balanced the whole bowl.

Add the mild nuttiness of brown rice and barley and you feel properly full. I only ate a salad, yet my stomach felt satisfyingly full, and I liked that a lot.

Salad ideas for my diet

Eating Sallering's bibim poke also gave me ideas for salads at home. I recently started PT (personal training) and am paying more attention to my diet. I'm always thinking about how to eat tasty food while staying healthy, so I might add imitation crab too. Above all, I'll definitely use onion flakes; their light crunch here and there is so appealing.

Atmosphere and prices at Sallering Daehak-ro

Sallering Daehak-ro has a clean interior in harmonious green and white, and the prices felt reasonable. The bright green and crisp white create a fresh mood that goes naturally with eating fresh food. It almost felt like my body was being purified, haha. I think it's just right when you want a light but proper meal in Daehak-ro.

We had to finish a meal in a short time before the play, but it turned out to be a good choice. We got flavor, health and fullness all in one meal. If you're looking for a filling, healthy meal in Daehak-ro, Sallering should satisfy you. Highly recommended!

Sallering Daehak-ro hours and parking

• Location: 24 Daehak-ro 10-gil, 1st floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Open every day
• Hours 11:00–20:00 (last order 19:30)
• Parking available