Gangnam Station date restaurant, petal-plate corn gnocchi: Eulji Darak

What does the hidden entrance of Eulji Darak Gangnam look like?

Eulji Darak Gangnam (을지다락) is a Western restaurant near Gangnam Station with a hidden-door concept: 'This is not an Elevator' beside the elevator and 'This is not a Door' above a wooden door. I was hunting for a Western place with good atmosphere near Gangnam Station. There are so many restaurants there that picking a meeting spot is always a dilemma. This time I wanted tasty food and a mood that's good for photos, so I ended up at Eulji Darak.

The entrance was a little special from the start. When you first arrive you wonder if you're in the right place. It doesn't feel like an ordinary restaurant door but like finding your way into a hidden space, so it was fun even before I went in. From the moment I opened the wooden door by its handle, it felt like entering a secret room, which I thought would suit a date near Gangnam Station.

Is Eulji Darak good for a date or blind date near Gangnam Station?

The overall mood inside Eulji Darak Gangnam was clean yet warm. It isn't stuffy like a formal restaurant, but it isn't too casual either, so dates, blind dates and get-togethers with friends all looked fine.

When choosing a blind date spot near Gangnam Station, the food matters, but so does whether you can talk comfortably, and Eulji Darak is a safe pick on that count. The lighting and interior are calm, so photos come out nicely, and the whole atmosphere came alive even more once the food landed on the table.

What's on the Eulji Darak menu, and what we ordered

At Eulji Darak Gangnam that day I ordered three dishes: corn gnocchi, chop pork steak and Darak omurice. The menu had a wide range of signature dishes.

• Signature: Darak omurice, Darak rosé pasta, spicy crab risotto, chop pork steak, corn gnocchi, brisket and perilla pasta, spicy cream pasta, flat carbonara
• Sides: katsu sando, cream onion fries, truffle fries
• Drinks: cola, Pepsi Zero, Sprite, Seagram's, Eulji lemon ade, Darak pineapple ade, Gangnam yuzu ade

There's a range of drinks too, which goes nicely with a meal. The menu combinations are good overall, so it felt satisfying for two people, and it would also work for a bigger group sharing several plates.

Corn gnocchi: nutty cream on a petal-shaped plate

The corn gnocchi caught my eye first: golden-seared gnocchi, corn and plenty of cheese on a generous bed of cream sauce, served on a petal-shaped plate. It looked rich and mellow at first sight, and the pretty plate made the dish look more upscale, so it was great for photos too.

The cream sauce was smooth and nutty. As the name says, the corn's sweetness came through softly, which made it feel a bit more special than an ordinary cream dish. The gnocchi was lightly browned outside and chewy inside, with a nice texture, and I liked how the cream clung gently when I lifted a piece with my fork. The cheese on top added flavor, so every bite felt richly savory. If you're looking for a good pasta place near Gangnam Station, I'd say consider this corn gnocchi as well, not just the pasta.

Chop pork neck steak: the dish that cuts the cream's richness

The chop pork steak (찹목살스테이크) is bite-sized pork neck served with grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes. The plating was neat and colorful, and the pork came cut into easy pieces, which made it convenient to share. A light sprinkle of cheese on top made it look even more appetizing, and the grilled cherry tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant and bell pepper made the plate much fuller.

The meat wasn't tough and had a good chew. The outside was nicely seared with a savory flavor, and dipping it in the sauce that came with it made it even softer. Personally I loved alternating a bite of meat with a bite of grilled vegetables. Cream dishes alone can get a little heavy, but with the steak on the table the whole meal felt balanced. If you feel that pasta or omurice alone isn't enough on a Gangnam Station date, adding the chop pork steak seems like a good choice.

Darak omurice: a crowd-pleasing signature dish

Darak omurice, the restaurant's signature, is a yellow omelet laid softly over rice with rich sauce around it, and its look stood out most of the three plates. The egg color was so pretty that I took photos the moment it arrived. It's good for blog reviews or social media, so if it's your first visit to Eulji Darak it's worth ordering once.

The egg was soft and moist. Scoop it with a spoon and the fluffy egg, rice and sauce come together in a gentle, comforting flavor that isn't harsh. The sauce had real depth and suited the soft omurice, and I thought it's a dish people of all ages would enjoy. It's just right when you want a tasty meal near Gangnam Station without anything too heavy.

Who should visit Eulji Darak Gangnam?

Eulji Darak Gangnam is a Western restaurant that suits people looking for a place to eat and talk, such as a date near Gangnam Station, a blind date or a wedding-invitation meetup. Beyond the food, the concept and atmosphere of the space stayed with me. The hidden-door entrance added fun to the visit, and inside you can eat in a calm, stylish mood. The plating was neat and pretty, so taking photos was fun, and the varied menu makes it easy to order to your taste.

I'd recommend it to people who prefer a place to eat and chat over something loud or chaotic. It also looked fine as a spot for a wedding-invitation meetup, when you're preparing for marriage and sharing the news over a meal with friends. The menu isn't difficult and mostly pleases everyone, so I think it's low-pressure even for a larger group.

This post is an honest review written after receiving a service from the restaurant.