Tiled Wall Diner · 7 stories
I write about restaurants I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars
Daegang is an aged sashimi pub on Songni-dan-gil in Jamsil, Songpa, Seoul. Two friends shared one Daegang platter of sea bass, flounder, sea bream and salmon with abalone, sea urchin and konowata (salted sea cucumber innards), made their own sushi with a side of sushi rice, and drank rice soju. With thick cuts and a generous portion, Daegang is a solid pick for a night out with friends, a date or a blind date.
Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch is a Korean restaurant in Bangi-dong, near Jamsil in Songpa, Seoul, best known for gukbap (rice soup). The writer, a gukbap regular, visited with a friend on a sweltering summer day and ordered the naengmyeon (cold noodle) set with charcoal-grilled meat, one mul naengmyeon (in cold broth) and one bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed). Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch is a gukbap spot, but in summer its naengmyeon and charcoal-grilled meat set is well worth ordering.
Yeokjeon Pojangmacha Sinchon Branch is a Korean bar on the second floor at 26 Yonsei-ro 7-gil in Seodaemun, Seoul. A couple ordered boneless dakdoritang (spicy braised chicken) at Shin Ramyun spice level, yukhoe (raw beef tartare) and a rice ball, then stacked the yukhoe on the rice ball for instant yukhoe sushi, and the bar also has one private room for groups. For beer and a full dinner in one stop in Sinchon, this three-dish combination is the answer.
Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, serving gyukatsu and steak bowls near Seoul Station. A friend visiting from Daejeon and I grilled the meat to our own preferred doneness over mini braziers, then filled up on neatly served gyukatsu and shrimp tempura. Verdict: a fun, tidy choice for lunch or a casual date near Seoul Station.
The Jokbal Sindorim Main Branch is a jokbal restaurant in Guro, Seoul, about 10 minutes on foot from Sindorim and Guro stations. My sister and I had a ₩50,000-range set and makguksu for lunch, and the jokbal stayed tender and at a good eating temperature right to the last piece. Verdict: a satisfying choice for a hearty lunch or jokbal date.
Yu Iksang Sushi is a sushi restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, known for extra-long sushi. We tried Couple Set B with shrimp tempura, cold soba, salad, extra-long sushi and futomaki; the generous portions and dramatic plating made it a date-night event. Verdict: go hungry for a fun Hongdae date meal.
Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, near Hapjeong Station. A couple seven days into dating ordered pork belly, pork jowl, grilled kimchi, soybean paste stew, and spicy mixed noodles without worrying about garlic breath. Verdict: an easygoing, satisfying date-night meal with expertly grilled pork.
