Thai lunch in Dohwa-dong, Mapo: pad thai & som tam at Drunken Thai

A Thai restaurant that feels like Bangkok near Gongdeok Station: Drunken Thai Gongdeok

Drunken Thai Gongdeok is a Thai restaurant in Dohwa-dong, Mapo, near Gongdeok Station, rumored to be a hot lunch spot among office workers. With this gloomy weather, don't you just want to run away somewhere? Hop on a plane to the back alleys of Bangkok, slurp some rich noodle soup, and wash it down with a cold beer, and I'd have no wishes left. But reality is a cruel bank balance and a mountain of work...

But don't lose hope yet, everyone! I found a magical Dohwa-dong restaurant that teleports you into the heart of Bangkok in just 5 minutes, no passport needed. It's already famous among nearby office workers as a Gongdeok Station lunch hotspot, and today I'm serving up a piping hot review of Drunken Thai Gongdeok.

The moment you open the door, you think, "Wait, am I in Bangkok right now?" It really feels like you've gone on a trip to Thailand. I took a very short trip to Thailand!

How do you get to Drunken Thai Gongdeok, and where do you park?

Drunken Thai Gongdeok is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 10 of Gongdeok Station. It's practically right next to the subway station, so the location is fantastic. Come out of Exit 10 and head down to the right, and you'll see shops selling fruit and vegetables.

Turn into the alley between them and go straight toward Mapo Samseong Apartments! At the three-way intersection, turn left and walk about 50 m more, and a pink, hip shop on the left side of the first floor will jump right out at you.

It takes around 5 minutes on foot, and even I, who have no sense of direction, found it on the first try, so don't worry.

Parking in front of the restaurant is possible at lunchtime

You can park in front of Drunken Thai Gongdeok from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A lunchtime perk! But at other times, a merciless camera flashes away and enforces the rules, so I recommend using the public parking lot at the Dohwa-dong community center nearby (Dohwa Public Parking Lot: 37 Dohwa-gil, Mapo-gu) for peace of mind. Get a ticket and it'll cost you lobster money instead of noodle money, you know? (tears)

What's the atmosphere like at Drunken Thai Gongdeok?

From the exterior to the interior, Drunken Thai Gongdeok looks like a Thai back alley lifted and set down right here. It's full of hip props that look swiped from a Thai night market or a local alley eatery, plus moody lighting, and it's honestly a work of art.

I heard even the tableware and bowls were brought in directly from Thailand, and I have to slap my knee at the owner's attention to detail.

Perfect for your Instagram feed, right? It's also a great date course in Gongdeok for scoring points with your partner. Oh, and of course there are cozy seats for pro solo diners like me, so you don't need to feel awkward coming alone!

Skip the line with remote waiting

Drunken Thai Gongdeok is so popular that there may be a wait, so before you go, check the queue with the Now Waiting remote waiting service and register remotely. It saves time and is a total win! You can also scope out the vibe first on the official Instagram.

What did we eat at Drunken Thai Gongdeok?

At Drunken Thai Gongdeok I ordered four mostly signature dishes: pad thai, beef rice noodle soup, shrimp khao pad (fried rice) and som tam. Food comes first, as they say, and isn't a trip to Thailand all about eating? Everything on the menu looked so good I nearly got decision paralysis, but as a pro eater, I picked like a champ.

1. Pad thai (order it, no question, and order it twice)

Drunken Thai's pad thai was the very picture of Thailand's sweet and sour stir-fried noodles, with all the charm of tamarind sauce. It's the undisputed icon of Thai stir-fried noodles! Chewy noodles, crunchy bean sprouts, and toppings that pop in your mouth... The sauce soaks right into the noodles, and I couldn't stop my chopsticks.

The balance of sweet, sour and salty is incredible. Sprinkle on some peanut powder and a squeeze of lemon to taste, and your ticket on the express train to paradise is officially issued.

2. Beef rice noodle soup (spice level 1)

The beef rice noodle soup at Drunken Thai Gongdeok was the highlight of the day, a savior for office workers desperate for a hangover cure, and the number one rice noodle dish in Gongdeok. I ordered it at spice level 1.

It's a traditional Thai beef noodle soup with a rich broth, and a slight spicy kick lingers, so the moment you take a sip you can't help but go "Aaah~" (channeling a middle-aged boss...). The tender, slow-simmered beef melted away after barely a few chews.

The broth is deep and hearty, and I had a hard time resisting the urge to dump rice in it. On a day like this, a steaming bowl as a Gongdeok Station lunch would wash away the afternoon fatigue.

3. Shrimp khao pad (a hit with kids and adults alike!)

Drunken Thai's shrimp khao pad is a mild egg fried rice stir-fried without spices, so if you're a bit sensitive to spices or came with a child, this is the answer. It's really nutty and soft.

It's generously loaded with plump shrimp, so there's plenty to chew on. Eaten plain, it's mild and clean, but mix in the chili fish sauce the owner gives you on the side and the savory flavor explodes by 200%, turning it into a spicy-salty Southeast Asian dish that hits the adult-kid palate. If it tastes a bit bland, never forget to mix in the fish sauce!

4. Som tam (Thai-style kimchi that cuts through the grease)

Drunken Thai's som tam is a spicy, sour and sweet Thai-style kimchi papaya salad, your secret weapon for refreshing your mouth in between bites! The crunchy papaya with its tangy spicy dressing cuts through the greasiness of meat dishes or stir-fried noodles in 0.1 seconds.

Take one bite, start over, and you can inhale it infinitely. I think it might be the best guilt-free side dish for people on a diet, too.

Verdict: a Dohwa-dong gem I'd revisit 500%

Maybe because Drunken Thai Gongdeok uses fresh Thai ingredients like cilantro, lime and galangal without holding back, it felt less like imitation Thai food and more like the real deal, with deep, genuine flavor. I instantly understood why office workers line up here every lunchtime.

I hear they also deliver via Baemin, Yogiyo and Coupang Eats, so if you can't be bothered to leave home, you can enjoy a Bangkok trip from your living room.

I strongly recommend Drunken Thai Gongdeok to anyone looking for an exotic, perfect Gongdeok Station lunch, or for couples who want to enjoy a Gongdeok date in a special atmosphere. I'm planning to go back soon in the evening for tom yum goong and a Singha beer!

Drunken Thai Gongdeok store information

• Address: 27 Dohwa 4-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1st floor)
• Hours: 11:00–21:00
• Break time: 15:00–16:30