Spare Chair Visitor · 50 stories

At the Spare Chair

I write about restaurant visits around Seoul, one meal at a time. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Things to do

PlaceJongno, SeoulBars

Hyehwa cocktail bar: Maker's Mark over rose-shaped ice at Dalkomhanjan

Dalkomhanjan (달콤한잔) Hyehwa main branch is a cocktail bar and pub serving food, about a 1-minute walk from Exit 1 of Hyehwa Station in Jongno, Seoul. At Dalkomhanjan the writer drank a Daiquiri and a Rusty Nail, then ordered Maker's Mark and Jack Daniel's served over ice, which came as rose-shaped ice cubes, alongside complimentary pretzels, tomato and cheesecake plus a free plate of Shine Muscat grapes. Verdict: Dalkomhanjan is a Hyehwa cocktail bar well suited to carrying on the mood after a show or sharing a quiet drink with a partner.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulBars

Plant-lined wine bar near Hyehwa Station: baked camembert, Hyehwarang

Hyehwarang is a wine bar on Daehak-ro 14-gil in Jongno, Seoul, near Hyehwa Station, reached through a garden-like entrance lined with plants. The writer sat indoors and ordered Cabriz Portuguese wine (55,000 won) and baked camembert topped with dates and pecans (15,000 won), and Hyehwarang added complimentary Shine Muscat grapes. Hyehwarang is a cozy date spot for a quiet glass of wine and conversation.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Sadang beef gopchang grill with Mongolian Eden vodka: Bareun Hwangso

Bareun Hwangso Gopchang (바른황소곱창) is a beef gopchang (grilled beef intestine) restaurant in the Sadang Station food alley in Dongjak, Seoul. The writer and a friend shared 2 servings of mixed gopchang (24,000 won per serving) and kkakdugi fried rice (4,000 won). They refilled the free fish cake soup in a spicy version and paired the meal with Eden vodka the friend brought back from Mongolia. With odor-free gopchang and friendly staff, Bareun Hwangso Gopchang is a gopchang spot worth recommending near Sadang Station.

Written Jun 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

24-hour pork soup spot in Gildong: hangover heotgae tea, Sinjuokmi

Sinjuokmi Gildong Direct Branch is a 24-hour sundaeguk (Korean blood sausage soup) and dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup) restaurant near Gildong Station in Gangdong, Seoul. The writer came late at night with a badly hungover younger sibling. They drank heotgae (oriental raisin tree) tea and ordered the spicy bracken sundaeguk (13,000 won) and the glutinous rice nurungji pork gukbap (11,000 won) with extra suyuk (boiled pork, 3,000 won), and received a free sirloin pork cutlet as part of the May Family Month event. Sinjuokmi is a good late-night choice at Gildong Station for a hearty meal and a hangover cure in one.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Soju pub at Gunja Station: gabeuri kimchi stew, Hwayo, Saechamjip

Saechamjip (새참집) is a Korean pub on the 2nd floor near Exit 5 of Gunja Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. The blogger paired gabeuri (pork collar cap) kimchi stew (19,900 won) with Andong soju (15,000 won), added 500-won ramyeon noodles and rice plus a bottle of Hwayo, and got a free mini bingsu (shaved ice) through the receipt event. Saechamjip is a good pick near Gunja Station for dinner and drinks in one stop.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Gunja Station izakaya for spicy seafood champon nabe and draft: Irow

Irow (이로우) is an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) on Myeonmok-ro near Gunja Station in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Its owner opened it in Gunja after running an izakaya on Yeonmujang-gil in Seongsu for 8 years. At Irow, the writer had the spicy seafood Nagasaki champon nabe (29,000 won), which comes with fresh udon noodles, with Suntory Premium Malts draft (9,000 won) and Hanmac draft (6,000 won). With beer lines the owner says he cleans every day, Irow is a good Gunja Station bar for a fiery seafood hot pot and fresh draft beer.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Frozen pork belly Korean BBQ in Jongno 3-ga: full at 5pm, Tapgol

Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch is a frozen pork belly Korean BBQ restaurant with an outdoor street-stall feel on Supyo-ro in Jongno, Seoul. The writer arrived for the 5pm opening, ordered 2 servings of frozen pork belly (₩18,000 per serving) and a bottle of soju (₩5,000), and grilled kimchi, bracken, bean sprouts and spring onion kimchi alongside the pork, and every table filled up as soon as the doors opened. Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch is worth arriving a little early for when you want frozen pork belly and soju at a busy outdoor-style table.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulBars

Bangi Korean pub for Songsongju and gochujang pork stew: Jojomomo

Jojomomo is a Korean pub serving traditional liquor in a basement in the Bangi food alley (Bangi Meokja Golmok) in Songpa, Seoul. The writer walked in without a wait and ordered gochujang pork stew (25,000 won), a favorite traditional liquor, Songsongju (14,000 won), and a first taste of Gangwon-do potato liquor (9,000 won), along with a complimentary welcome drink and potato salad and a drinking cup the writer picked out. Jojomomo is worth recommending in the Bangi food alley when you want a hearty stew with a range of Korean traditional liquors.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulBars

Songni-dan-gil 2nd-round pub: mackerel sashimi, Andong soju at Daegang

Daegang is a Korean pub with patio seating on Songni-dan-gil in Jamsil, Seoul, serving seafood such as Gampo flounder sashimi and aged sashimi alongside traditional Korean liquor. The writer stopped by Daegang for a second round with a younger sibling, sat outside and ordered mackerel sashimi (30,000 won) because raw shrimp was sold out, paired with Andong soju (15,000 won) and a soju called Oneul, and a receipt-review event added a free glass of Gyeongju Beopju. Verdict: Daegang is a great Songni-dan-gil second-round bar for sashimi and traditional liquor in the night air.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHanam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Pet-friendly pork BBQ in Hanam Misa with nurungji soup: Hanmaeum

Hanmaeum Jeongyuk Sikdang Hanam Misa Branch is a butcher-style Korean BBQ restaurant on Misa-daero in Hanam, Gyeonggi, with a kids' zone (playroom). On a return visit after an earlier good meal, the writer ordered the 500g half-pig set (42,500 won) with sides including acorn jelly soup, spicy chewy noodles and grilled mackerel, then finished with nurungji (scorched rice) soup for 4,000 won. With corkage, parking and dogs all allowed, Hanmaeum Jeongyuk Sikdang is an easy, reliable Misa BBQ pick for family meals and get-togethers.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHanam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Korean BBQ day drinking by Misa Station, Hanam: Jangheungjip Misa

Jangheungjip Misa (장흥집 미사점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Misa Station in Hanam, Gyeonggi, serving flash-frozen pork belly with a 13-dish banchan (side dish) spread. The blogger arrived around 2:30 pm for a late lunch, ordered 3 servings of frozen pork belly at ₩15,000 each, doenjang stew and rice, received a free salted octopus side (nakji jeotgal) for booking on Naver, and finished 1 bottle of soju and 5 beers before moving on to a second and third round. With generous side dishes and a friendly owner, Jangheungjip Misa is a great spot for frozen pork belly and daytime drinks near Misa Station.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulBars

Konkuk Univ. sake izakaya revisit: Harushika junmai and skewers, Haru

Haru Konkuk Branch is an izakaya near Konkuk Univ. Station in Gwangjin, Seoul, serving Japanese charcoal-grilled skewers, sashimi and à la carte dishes. On a return visit with a skewer-loving companion, the writer had Haru's 7 recommended skewers (₩23,500), Nagasaki champon (₩21,500) and Harushika Sakura junmai sake (₩45,000), then ordered extra single skewers and Shochikubai sake (₩15,000). Haru Konkuk Branch is a great izakaya for pairing skewers with sake, and the second visit was just as satisfying.

Written Oct 21, 2026Sponsored