Half Bottle, Seoul Bars — Half Bottle Evenings

Hyehwa Indian curry with friends, butter chicken Set A: Meono Kkameona

Meono Kkameona Daehangno Branch is an Indian and Nepali curry restaurant on the 2nd floor of Ihwa Building, near Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station in Jongno, Seoul. Having only eaten Japanese and Korean curry before, the writer tried Indian curry for the first time with friends and ordered Meono Kkameona Set A (for 2 or more), which brought butter chicken curry, tandoori chicken, naan, turmeric rice and lassi. The butter chicken curry was soft and creamy, and the tandoori chicken was more smoky than spicy, making Meono Kkameona a satisfying place for a first Indian curry.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Flower-shop-front date restaurant in Yeonnam-dong: Hôtel de Couture

Hôtel de Couture (오뗄드꾸뜨) is a Western-style restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station. Behind a flower-shop-style exterior and an antique, living-room-like interior, the writer had the house steak (35,000 won) and the honey whole-bacon rosé pasta (18,000 won), and most guests at that hour were foreigners. Hôtel de Couture is an atmospheric Yeonnam-dong date restaurant, best followed by a walk along Gyeongui Line Forest Park.

Written Oct 7, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangbuk, SeoulBars

Kissaten-style Suyu izakaya with bar seats and overflowing sake: Bunko

Bunko Suyu is an izakaya on the second floor near Exit 7 of Suyu Station in Gangbuk, Seoul, serving sashimi and a range of dishes enjoyed like a course meal. The writer sat at the bar seats with a friend and had the Bunko Set for two (salad, menchi-katsu, sashimi, sushi, crab innard pasta and jjamppong) with a Bunko highball, plus sake poured to overflowing into a wooden cup through a review event. For anyone who loves a drink but dislikes noisy places, Bunko Suyu is a quiet date bar in Suyu.

Written Sep 29, 2026Sponsored