Kid-friendly brunch bistro in Anguk for a child's birthday: Debbie's

Last weekend was my child's birthday, so we made an outing of it: we made our own music box in Insadong and wandered through a nearby exhibition, and it was a really fun day. To finish off this perfect outing, we headed to a restaurant I'd long wanted to try, one I had saved with a firm heart-tap on my map app.

It's Debbie's, a well-known Anguk brunch spot right beside the Changdeokgung wall!

Where is Debbie's in Anguk, and what is it like?

Debbie's is a homemade bistro in Wonseo-dong, next to Changdeokgung near Anguk Station, in a converted 1960s two-story house. The quiet, calm, old-world feel of Wonseo-dong is really charming.

When we arrived, the big lilac tree at the entrance was in full bloom. The sweet, fragrant lilac scent hit us on the way in, and I was in a lovely mood from the very start. It would also make a perfect first impression for a couple's date around Anguk Station.

I heard Debbie's is a homemade bistro launched by Debbie, the designer behind the fashion brand Andy & Debb. It was made by renovating an old 1960s house, and maybe that's why it has a special atmosphere, a stylish mix of East and West, past and present.

Should you reserve Debbie's for a weekend visit?

We visited on a weekend, so we booked ahead just in case.

Inside, we saw a bright, lively open kitchen,

and pretty props full of the designer's taste were displayed everywhere. It was a treat for the eyes just looking around.

Can you go with a child to Debbie's second floor with the Changdeokgung view?

Debbie's is very well known as an Anguk brunch restaurant with a great view looking down over Changdeokgung.

However, the second floor, where the view is most open, is run as a no-kids zone. Since we came with our child, we sadly took a table on the first floor, and just popped upstairs briefly to look around :-)

Once we sat down, even the first floor was so cozy, and the quiet scenery outside the window was so pretty that my disappointment about missing the second floor vanished! Even the restroom was lovely, haha.

What did we eat at Debbie's? Four homemade brunch dishes

Debbie's serves sincere, warm, homemade home-style dishes alongside a wide champagne collection. To fill our stomachs properly, we ordered four dishes.

Zucchini chips with tzatziki sauce

The first dish that made the whole family's eyes light up was the zucchini chips! Thinly sliced zucchini coated in a special crumble mix and fried until very crispy, a Mediterranean-style dish. Dipping the salty, crunchy chips into the fresh tzatziki sauce was even more delicious than I'd expected.

Afternoon gravlax, a salmon sampler tower

The afternoon gravlax was impressive from the look alone: a salmon sampler tower of Scandinavian-style cured salmon, beautifully arranged. Putting the fresh, chewy salmon on crisp toasted baguette filled my mouth with a rich flavor, and I could feel the class of a proper Anguk brunch.

Scotch egg, the British fried soft-boiled egg

And then the Scotch egg, the British fried soft-boiled egg! A soft-boiled egg wrapped in a thick, juicy meat patty and fried. When you cut it in half, the rich yolk spills out, and the match with the meat was perfect. The bitter, fresh frisée salad served alongside balanced the heaviness of the fried food just right.

Meatball spaghetti for the kid

Lastly, the meatball spaghetti I ordered for my child came on a whole-tomato base, topped with plenty of big meatballs. The soft meatball sauce with its slightly spicy note went so well with the noodles that both child and adult scraped the plate clean.

So we added some more baguette :-)

How was Debbie's by Changdeokgung as the end of a family outing?

It had been a long time since a day delighted both my eyes and my mouth with a pretty space and tasty food. Enjoying a calm, relaxed time with my beloved child, breathing in the fragrant lilacs, made me really happy.

A warm, stylish interior, food cooked with care, and a beautiful view too! If you want a romantic time with someone precious, Debbie's, the Anguk Station brunch restaurant near Changdeokgung, will surely be a happy meal with no regrets!