Hapjeong Old Teacup · 20 stories

Worn Saucer, Seoul Cafes and Restaurants

Writes about neighborhood cafes and small restaurants across Seoul, mostly places within walking distance of home. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong Korean BBQ: pork neck, belly and volcano egg, Gim Sukseong

Gim Sukseong Hapjeong Branch (김숙성 합정점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant with a retro, old-school feel on Yanghwa-ro 8-gil near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer had 2 servings of pork neck and 1 serving of pork belly, grilled at the table by staff, plus an Okonomi volcano bomb steamed egg and self-serve fried rice, and the mild, nutty pork neck beat expectations. If you prefer leaner cuts, the pork neck at Gim Sukseong Hapjeong Branch is well worth ordering.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong Korean BBQ date with my boyfriend: owner-grilled set, Ijjok

Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal (이쪽 김치삼겹살) is a kimchi pork belly restaurant on basement level 1 of 20 Dongmak-ro 3-gil, near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer and her boyfriend shared the 2–3 person set of 2 servings of kimchi fresh pork belly, 1 serving of pork jowl, steamed egg and doenjang (soybean paste) stew, with the owner grilling everything from start to finish in a clean restaurant with a tidy restroom. Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal is a satisfying Hapjeong Station Korean BBQ spot where even two people leave stuffed, with well-ripened kimchi and steamed egg in an earthenware pot.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu shabu-shabu, peanut sauce veggies & pork neck: Shabu in Seoul

Shabu in Seoul Seongsu is an upscale shabu-shabu restaurant on the first floor of Yuwonji Knowledge Industry Center near Seongsu Station in Seongdong, Seoul. Returning to Shabu in Seoul after visiting the Hapjeong branch, the writer had clear mushroom broth with wagyu rib-eye, 1++ hanwoo rump cap and black pork neck, finished with egg porridge, and was especially impressed by the fresh vegetables, the sweet, nutty peanut sauce and pork neck with no gamey smell. Each cut has its own appeal, so the meal never gets boring, and with the stylish atmosphere, Shabu in Seoul Seongsu is a Seongsu shabu-shabu spot worth returning to.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong Indian curry date with butter naan & Set B: Deli India

Deli India is an Indian restaurant on the 2nd floor of Dongmak-ro 9-gil in Mapo, Seoul, serving the Hapjeong and Sangsu area. The writer and her boyfriend ordered Deli India's Set B (salad, chicken tikka, butter chicken curry, butter naan, rice and lassi) plus a samosa, and the honey-butter-like naan and the butter chicken curry served in a small brazier were the highlights. At 17,000 won per person with good flavor and generous portions, Deli India is a great-value Indian curry spot she plans to revisit.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Conveyor sushi lunch date in Seolleung, basil steak sushi: Sushi Ian N

Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant near Seolleung Station in Daechi-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, where every plate costs a flat ₩1,990. On a lunch date, the writer and her boyfriend shared about 30 plates, including salmon, skin-on red sea bream (masukawa), ankimo (monkfish liver), basil steak sushi and salmon buldak steak sushi, and kept eating because the rice portions are small and the fish and meat toppings are generous. Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station suits a Seolleung Station lunch date when you want to try many kinds of sushi without worrying about the bill.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong Thai restaurant date: soft-shell crab curry, Saeng Augustine

Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch is a Thai restaurant on basement level 1 of Mecenatpolis at Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a date, the writer ordered the recommended Set A for two: 2 pieces of tod mun kung (fried shrimp cakes), poo pad pong curry (crab curry), rice and king prawn pad thai. The highlights were the curry's soft-shell crab, fried crisp and eaten shell and all, and the savoury king prawn pad thai finished with a squeeze of lemon. Verdict: pad thai cooked fresh at Saeng Augustine tastes clearly better than the delivery version the writer had always ordered.

Written Jun 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Folk-village Korean duck restaurant date in Mapo: Gongjung Dodeok

Gongjung Dodeok is a Korean duck restaurant between Daeheung Station and Gyeongui Line Forest Park in Mapo, Seoul. The writer booked Gongjung Dodeok on Catch Table with her boyfriend and ordered the Gongjung half-and-half set for two (marinated duck jumulleok, roast duck, minari and gonggamtang duck potato stew), plus a barley shrimp and minari pancake; the duck had no gamey smell, and the sweet-spicy marinated duck was the highlight. If you're craving marinated duck, Gongjung Dodeok's half-and-half set is well worth ordering.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sangsu pizzeria, Manjo & Croccante halves: Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza

Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is a wood-fired pizza and pasta restaurant on Dongmak-ro 7-gil near Sangsu Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer ordered the Gamberi Crema shrimp cream pasta with penne and a half-and-half Manjo and Croccante pizza; the cream pasta's spicy kick that keeps it from feeling heavy and the sauce-loaded Manjo pizza stood out most. Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is a satisfying choice if you want to try two pizza flavors in one order.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae Korean BBQ, five-layer pork belly for fat-haters: Gogikkun

Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch (고기꾼김춘배 홍대본점) is a charcoal-grill Korean BBQ restaurant on the 3rd floor of a building on Hongik-ro 3-gil near Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer and her boyfriend ordered the hanwoo (Korean beef) and handon (Korean pork) set for two, half-and-half naengmyeon (cold noodles) and kkakdugi (radish kimchi) fried rice with meat in it, and although she rarely eats pork fat, the five-layer pork belly at Gogikkun Gim Chunbae was chewy and not greasy. Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch is worth recommending to anyone looking for good-quality pork belly in Hongdae.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae gukbap restaurant for a post-movie date and makguksu: Yukjeon

Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch (육전국밥 서교점) is a 24-hour gukbap (rice soup) restaurant in Seogyo-dong, Mapo, Seoul, near Hongik Univ. Station. After a movie, the writer and her boyfriend ordered the gukbap set with meatballs and the beef jeon makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles topped with pan-fried beef); the gukbap stayed hot to the end in its brass bowl, and the beef jeon paired unexpectedly well with the cold noodles. Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch is a tidy gukbap spot that started as a casual stop and became a place to return to as a regular.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong Station pork galbi BBQ and spicy cheese galbijjim: Jeongyukdo

Jeongyukdo is a charcoal Korean BBQ restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building on Yanghwa-ro 6-gil near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer and her boyfriend ordered 2 servings of pre-grilled marinated pork galbi (ribs), hanwoo (Korean beef) doenjang stew, mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth) and spicy cheese galbijjim (braised ribs), and the spicy cheese galbijjim was so good they ordered an extra bowl of rice. Jeongyukdo's marinated pork galbi is good, but anyone who loves spicy galbijjim should make a point of trying the cheese version.

Written Jun 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong shabu-shabu, chuck flap with peanut mayo dip: Shabu in Seoul

Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch is a shabu-shabu restaurant on basement level 2 of Delight Square Lot 1 by Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer and her boyfriend ordered spicy mushroom broth with 2 servings of chuck flap, added 1 serving of chuck eye, and finished with spicy rosé risotto; the broth was tasty on its own, and the meat and vegetables were in good condition. With its ivory-and-wood interior, friendly staff and good risotto, Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch is a Hapjeong Station shabu-shabu spot worth revisiting.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored