Shared Plate Fan · 72 stories

The Shared Dish

I write about meals and visits to restaurants in Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Dongdaemun shabu-shabu restaurant with a free vegetable refill coupon

Cheongdo Minari Sikdang Dongdaemun is a minari (Korean water dropwort) shabu-shabu restaurant at 7 Euljiro 43-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul, between Dongdaemun Station and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. During a Dongdaemun shopping trip, the writer had the clear-broth minari shabu-shabu for lunch, used a free extra-vegetable coupon for one more vegetable refill, and finished with kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) and fried rice. For a mild, easy-on-the-stomach meal, the clear-broth minari shabu-shabu at Cheongdo Minari Sikdang Dongdaemun is a satisfying choice.

Written Jun 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulCafés

Cookie & snack bar café in Sinnonhyeon: chicken sandwich, Selecto

Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon Branch 24 Auto Brew Cafe is a 24-hour bakery café in Seocho, Seoul, about a 3-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 1. It is staffed during the day and unmanned at night. At Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon, a chicken sandwich came with an iced Mocha Americano and a hot Geisha Americano to compare the beans, and the visit also covered the cookie and snack bar, the goods display and the unmanned print zone. Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon is worth a stop if you want a light meal and pick-your-beans coffee in one place near Sinnonhyeon Station.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Yongridan-gil tteokbokki, mild broth & crispy fried rice: Hyeonseonine

Hyeonseonine Yongsan Main Branch (현선이네 용산본점) is an instant tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) snack bar on Yongridan-gil in Yongsan, Seoul. On a Sunday evening the writer ordered mild instant tteokbokki for 2 plus fried rice, and the clean, gentle broth and the slightly scorched bottom of the fried rice were the highlights. Hyeonseonine Yongsan Main Branch is a back-to-basics tteokbokki spot that even spice-shy eaters can enjoy comfortably.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Gwanghwamun date gyukatsu behind a butcher-shop entrance: Ichigyu

Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant where you finish the beef on a tabletop grill, on basement level 1 of Le Meilleur Jongno Town in Jongno, Seoul. On a date there, the writer ordered Set 2, which comes with gyukatsu tenderloin, gyukatsu striploin and 2 drinks, and added 4 pieces of karaage (Japanese fried chicken) with a coupon. Switching between the tenderloin and the striploin showed off the best of both cuts, making Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch a Gwanghwamun date restaurant worth a return visit.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Chungmuro katsu spot for a lunch meeting: minari makguksu at Ondoon

Ondoon Chungmuro Main Branch (온도온 충무로본점) is a tonkatsu and makguksu (buckwheat noodle) restaurant near Chungmuro Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. On a lunch meeting, the writer ordered the owner's self-developed signature seaweed makguksu & tonkatsu set, where noodles with seaweed and minari (Korean water parsley) and a crispy pork cutlet bring out the best in each other. With a self bar and aprons on hand, Ondoon Chungmuro Main Branch is an easy pick for a solo meal or an office lunch.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Sadang Western spot: smoked salmon salad & ink risotto: Two Find Peter

Two Find Peter Seoul Sadang Branch is a Western restaurant focused on pasta and risotto, on the 3rd floor of a building near Exit 14 of Sadang Station in Seocho, Seoul. On a second visit, the writer ordered different dishes from last time: a smoked salmon salad and a whole-squid ink risotto. The fresh salad, the rich ink risotto and the wasabi mayo sauce went well together. For a light yet filling Western meal near Sadang Station, the salad-and-risotto pairing at Two Find Peter Seoul Sadang Branch is a satisfying choice.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulCafés

Ikseon-dong bakery takeout: garlic baguette & coffee bread, Munhwa

Munhwa Bakery (문화제빵) is a bakery near Exit 7 of Jongno 3-ga Station, at the start of the Ikseon-dong hanok street in Jongno, Seoul. The writer went back to Munhwa Bakery because of good memories and took home its signature garlic baguette and coffee bread to eat with an americano, finding that the flavor held up well after takeout. If you want an Ikseon-dong bakery that focuses on the taste of the bread rather than flash, Munhwa Bakery's garlic baguette and coffee bread are a satisfying pick.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulCafés

Self-serve printing café in Sinnonhyeon: kabocha egg sandwich, Selecto

Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon Branch 24 Auto Brew Cafe is a 24-hour café near Sinnonhyeon Station in Seocho, Seoul. On an afternoon well past lunchtime, the writer compared the Mocha Blend and Geisha Blend, ate a kabocha egg sandwich, and checked out the 24-hour unmanned print zone, the seats with outlets and the clean upkeep. Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon Branch 24 Auto Brew Cafe is worth returning to for late-night work or a break near Sinnonhyeon Station.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulCafés

Ikseon-dong bakery, third visit: garlic bread vs onion bagel, Munhwa

Munhwa Bakery (문화제빵) is a takeout-focused bakery in Ikseon-dong, Jongno, Seoul, near Exit 7 of Jongno 3-ga Station. On a third visit to Munhwa Bakery, the writer slowly browsed the bread on display and took home garlic bread and an onion bagel. Munhwa Bakery's two picks differ in flavor and texture, so alternating bites is half the fun, and the writer thinks of it on every trip to Ikseon-dong.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Seolleung sashimi izakaya: white vs blue-backed fish and ankimo, Sakai

Sushi Sakaba Sakai (스시 사카바 사카이) is a sushi and sashimi izakaya on Yeoksam-ro 67-gil, near Exit 1 of Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul. An order of white fish sashimi (36,000 won) and blue-backed fish sashimi (25,000 won) set the clean taste of flatfish and sea bream against the richer flavor of mackerel and horse mackerel. Ankimo (monkfish liver), bottled Kirin beer and a potato salad from a review event rounded out the table. Sushi Sakaba Sakai is a good Japanese spot in Seolleung for a drink while comparing fish one by one.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Korean duck BBQ in Apgujeong, whole roast duck and rice: Hwaju Yojeong

Hwaju Yojeong Apgujeong main branch (화주요정 압구정본점) is a duck BBQ restaurant with a retro pocha (Korean street-tent bar) vibe near Apgujeongnodeo Station in Gangnam, Seoul. On a weekday evening with a friend, the writer ordered the signature whole duck roast (ori-roseu, unseasoned sliced duck) and a bowl of rice. Staff grilled the duck at the table, it tasted clean, light and nutty with no gamey smell, and a free duck soup came out too. Hwaju Yojeong is a satisfying duck dinner in Apgujeong for anyone who wants good food, atmosphere and service together.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Hyehwa noodle restaurant: mushroom bulgogi perilla soba, Goeunjeong

Goeunjeong Daehangno Main Branch (고은정 대학로본점) is a clean, tidy Korean restaurant on Changgyeonggung-ro near Hyehwa Station in Jongno, Seoul. The writer had Goeunjeong's mushroom bulgogi perilla oil buckwheat noodles. The writer enjoyed the subtle nutty perilla oil, the springy buckwheat noodles, the tender bulgogi and the generous mushrooms. The writer also rated the private rooms, high chairs, table ordering, self-serve banchan bar and restroom stocked with mouthwash highly. For anyone who likes mild, gently seasoned Korean food, Goeunjeong is a solid pick for a meal before or after a Daehangno show.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored