Gangnam Doorstep Lunch · 33 stories

Lunch at the Threshold

I write about restaurants I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Samseong Station burger joint: weekday last order for two, Bas Burger

Bas Burger Samseong Station Branch is a handmade burger restaurant on Teheran-ro 114-gil in Gangnam, Seoul. On a weekday visit just before last order, the writer and her husband shared the classic Bas Burger, a wasabi mayo shrimp burger, onion rings, sweet potato fries and coleslaw, and also enjoyed the free potato chips from the self-serve bar and drinks in cold cups. If you prefer sweet potato fries to regular fries, the sweet potato fries at Bas Burger Samseong Station Branch are a must-try.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Namwirye shabu-shabu buffet: Shin Ramyun-spicy broth & kalguksu, Dadam

Dadam Shabu Shabu & Wolnamssam Wirye Branch is an all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu and wolnamssam (rice paper wrap) restaurant on the 3rd floor of G&G Plaza near Namwirye Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, where even the meat is unlimited. On a weekday lunch the writer ordered a clear broth and a spicy broth about as hot as Shin Ramyun, ate beef chuck, thin-sliced beef brisket, rice paper wraps and the included kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), then finished with coffee and ice cream. With a tidy self-serve bar and unlimited meat, Dadam Shabu Shabu Wirye Branch is a satisfying choice for a family get-together.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Garak-dong gopchang grill: husband hooked on garlic soy, Jinseong

Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship is a Korean beef gopchang (small intestine), daechang and makchang grill in Garak-dong, Songpa, Seoul. A couple who come whenever they crave gopchang visited on a late weekday evening, ordering 2 servings of gopchang plus an extra order and anchovy noodles. They especially loved the garlic-aged soy sauce with water dropwort, Cheongyang chili and minced garlic, the free steamed egg, and staff who keep an eye on how well the meat is cooked. After several years of visits, Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship keeps getting better.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Yeoksam Chinese: eggplant-hater's fried eggplant, Jjamppong Jijon

Jjamppong Jijon Yeoksam Branch is a Chinese restaurant on Teheran-ro 10-gil near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. Expecting a baby, the writer visited on a weekend with her husband and ordered jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles), sticky-rice tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) and fried eggplant; her husband called the tangsuyuk the best of his life and ate more than half the fried eggplant despite disliking eggplant. With parking, unlimited rice at the self-service bar, a microwave and high chairs, Jjamppong Jijon Yeoksam Branch is a great spot for fried dishes and suits company dinners and family gatherings.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Early-dinner beef gopchang in Bangi-dong, no wait before 6pm: Jinseong

Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Bangi Direct Branch is a restaurant on Ollimpik-ro 32-gil in Bangi-dong, Songpa, Seoul, that specialises in Hanwoo beef gopchang (grilled small intestine). The writer and a companion who needs gopchang regularly walked in with no wait for an early dinner before 6pm. They started with 2 portions of gopchang and added anchovy noodles, then ordered 2 more portions for 4 in total. After visiting Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang more times than she can count over several years, the writer says the gopchang tastes the same every time.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Siksa-dong Korean restaurant: 6 giant mandu, full till dinner, Arirang

Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch is a Korean restaurant specializing in handmade mandu (Korean dumpling) hot pot in Siksa-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. At a late lunch, the Gaeseong handmade mandu hot pot and beef shabu-shabu set for 2 came with 6 giant mandu, shabu-shabu beef and kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), and the portion kept us full until dinner. Even a companion who isn't a big mandu fan called it delicious, making Arirang a solid Siksa-dong pick for a hearty, filling meal.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Garak-dong gopchang grill with potatoes a potato-hater loved: Midang

Midang Hanwoo Gopchang is a Hanwoo (Korean beef) gopchang restaurant in Garak-dong, Songpa, Seoul, between Garak Market Station and Police Hospital Station. On a late evening, a couple ordered 2 servings of gopchang (beef small intestine) and 1 of daechang (large intestine). Free omasum and honeycomb tripe, heart grilled by staff, gopchang packed with filling and the potatoes underneath were all tender and savory. For fresh gopchang that doesn't lean on heavy seasoning, Midang Hanwoo Gopchang is easy to recommend.

Written Oct 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Seohyeon spicy rib stew spot with a rainy weeknight wait: Gimcheongja

Gimcheongja Maeun Galbijjim Seohyeon Station Branch (김청자매운갈비찜 서현역점) is a spicy galbijjim (braised short rib stew) restaurant near Exit 4 of Seohyeon Station in Bundang, Seongnam. The writer, who can't handle much spice, visited with her husband on a rainy weekday evening and ordered mild pork rib stew for two with flat glass noodles and steamed egg; the portion was so big they never got to order fried rice. Verdict: wrapping seasoned bean sprouts, flat noodles, pork and corn salad in seaweed was the tastiest way to eat Gimcheongja's spicy rib stew.

Written Jul 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongin, GyeonggiRestaurants

Shabu-kalguksu on Gogi-ro, Suji: flat noodle wraps for 4, Yun Ujae

Yun Ujae Shabu Kalguksu Gogidong Branch is a shabu-kalguksu (hot pot with knife-cut noodles) restaurant on Gogi-ro in Suji-gu, Yongin, where one portion costs 11,500 won and includes meat, vegetables, mushrooms, kalguksu noodles and fried rice. On a rainy day, four people shared four portions of shabu-shabu and a crispy seafood pajeon (savory pancake); the highlight was wrapping meat and minari (Korean water parsley) in flat noodles made in-house, and the leftover fried rice went home as takeout. With satisfying taste, price, portions and service, Yun Ujae Shabu Kalguksu Gogidong Branch is a family dining spot in Yongin worth becoming a regular at.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Weekend conveyor sushi in Daechi-dong: mentaiko negitoro, Sushi Ian N

Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant on Seolleung-ro 86-gil in Daechi-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, with a flat price of 1,990 won per plate. On an early weekend evening, the blogger and her husband ate 20 plates at Sushi Ian N, including premium cuts such as ankimo (monkfish liver) wrapped in gamtae seaweed, mentaiko negitoro (pollock roe with minced tuna), fin cuts and sea urchin, plus the new red crab gratin. She also found free basement parking in the same building and phone chargers at the tables. Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station is a solid pick when you want to fill up on sushi without overspending.

Written Jul 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Seohyeon spicy rib restaurant: corn salad seaweed wraps, Gimcheongja

Gimcheongja Maeun Galbijjim Seohyeon Station Branch (김청자매운갈비찜) is a spicy braised rib restaurant on the 2nd floor of Cheonji Officetel, near Exit 4 of Seohyeon Station in Bundang, Seongnam. The writer, who can't handle much spice, visited with her husband around 7:30 pm on a weekday, ordered mild pork galbijjim for two with extra flat glass noodles and steamed egg, and shares how to wrap seasoned bean sprouts, noodles, meat and corn salad in seaweed. The portion at Gimcheongja was so generous they had no room for fried rice, and one visit was enough to make them regulars.

Written Oct 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Jeongja Mexican restaurant: mini-brazier fajitas while pregnant, Elato

Elato Bundang is a Mexican restaurant on Naejeong-ro 129beon-gil in Jeongja-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam. A pregnant writer who loves Mexican food visited Elato Bundang with her husband on a public holiday evening. They ordered the signature fajitas with extra cilantro, and the fajitas stayed warm to the last bite on a mini brazier, while her husband, who is picky about Mexican food, praised them throughout. With good food, service and atmosphere plus convenient dedicated parking, Elato Bundang is a Jeongja-dong Mexican spot the couple left fully satisfied with.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored