Weekday Sip Notes · 22 stories

Weekday Small Orders

I write about restaurant meals I try around Seoul on ordinary weekdays. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Cafés

PlaceGwangmyeong, GyeonggiRestaurants

Soha-dong Korean BBQ: charcoal pork belly and side dishes, Sodam Galbi

Sodam Galbi Gwangmyeong Soha Branch is a charcoal-grill galbi and Korean BBQ restaurant on Ori-ro in Soha-dong, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. The writer grilled fresh pork belly (180g, 16,000 won) over charcoal with doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew), alongside side dishes such as bean sprout and scallion salad, yeolmu kimchi (young radish kimchi), seasoned tofu, cabbage salad and seasoned persimmon salad, plus a self-refill bar with lettuce wraps and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). Sodam Galbi is a Soha-dong pork belly spot for anyone who wants as many sides as meat.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae kaisendon Set A for two, eaten in 4 steps: Makise Hapjeong

Makise Hapjeong (마키세 합정) is a kaisendon (Japanese seafood rice bowl) restaurant in the Hapjeong and Hongdae area of Mapo, Seoul. The writer ordered Set A for two (drinks included), a kaisendon topped with salmon, tuna, shrimp, white fish and uni plus crisp, flaky tempura. Following the shop's guide, the writer ate the kaisendon like sushi by piling rice and wasabi on a spoon, then got the most memorable sashimi, winter yellowtail, served once more as sushi. If you like tasting many kinds of seafood a little at a time, the kaisendon at Makise Hapjeong is a great fit.

Written Nov 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hapjeong aged sashimi bar for extra-large yellowtail: Titan Hapjeong

Titan Hapjeong is an aged sashimi and fusion bar on Dongmak-ro 7-gil, between Hapjeong Station and Sangsu Station in Mapo, Seoul. During yellowtail season, the writer ordered the extra-large yellowtail, abalone liver pasta and an ice cream cup for dessert, eating the thick-cut yellowtail with seaweed, sauces and rice alongside the warm pasta. For an atmospheric aged sashimi bar in Hapjeong, Titan Hapjeong is worth considering.

Written Nov 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hapjeong fusion izakaya for yukhoe gimbap with egg yolk: Goen Hapjeong

Goen Hapjeong is a fusion izakaya (Japanese-style pub) on the basement level of 57-16 Yanghwa-ro 6-gil, near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul, with a ceiling filled with cherry blossom decorations. The writer ordered mentaiko cheese potatoes and 1++ grade beef tartare (yukhoe) with aged kimchi gimbap (seaweed rice roll), pairing a creamy bar snack with a hearty beef tartare gimbap. Goen Hapjeong is a good pick for anyone who wants more unusual fusion bar food than the usual pub snacks in a photogenic setting.

Written Nov 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae Korean BBQ sampler: 3 pork cuts and 5 dishes, Chopilsal

Chopilsal Pork Grill Hongdae Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Exit 1 of Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul, where you grill several pork cuts, including thick five-layer pork belly, jinjja dwitgogi and pilsal pork skin. The writer ordered five dishes to compare the cuts' textures: salted five-layer pork belly (₩12,000), jinjja dwitgogi (₩10,500), pilsal pork skin (₩9,500), a double cheese steamed egg (₩4,500) and a ₩2,000 radish salad rice bowl. Chopilsal Pork Grill suits groups in Hongdae who want to try a range of pork cuts rather than pork belly alone.

Written Nov 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Sangsu bar for charcoal chicken neck and DIY hot dogs: Kkoko Land

Kkoko Land Sangsu is an outdoor-style Korean pub between Sangsu Station and Hongdae in Mapo, Seoul. The writer started with an orange welcome drink and drumstick-shaped crackers, then ordered the signature charcoal-grilled Kkoko chicken neck with salt, wrapped in tortillas, and Super Pig homemade grilled sausages (US military style), tucked into morning buns as DIY hot dogs. Kkoko Land Sangsu suits groups of friends and big drinking nights better than a quiet date.

Written Nov 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hapjeong izakaya for yukhoe, beef sashimi and salmon: Soui Pumgyeok

Soui Pumgyeok (소의품격) is an izakaya-style Korean pub in an alley near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul, best known for the Pumgyeok Hanpan, a platter of yukhoe (Korean beef tartare), raw beef sashimi and salmon. The writer ordered the Pumgyeok Hanpan (47,000 won) and tried brisket sashimi, mungtigi (fresh-cut raw beef), yukhoe and salmon with a range of sauces, plus a hot beef and radish soup. If you want yukhoe and salmon in one go rather than the usual skewers and fried food, the Pumgyeok Hanpan at Soui Pumgyeok is a good fit.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

String-lit Hapjeong pizzeria date night: Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza

Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza (홍대화덕피자) is a wood-fired pizzeria on Dongmak-ro 7-gil in Mapo, Seoul, between Hapjeong and Hongdae. On an evening visit under twinkling string lights, the writer ordered the four-flavor Quattro Stagioni pizza and the Gamberi Crema, a shrimp cream pasta made with shell pasta, and was most impressed by the candle pizza warmer that keeps the pizza hot at the table. For an atmospheric Hapjeong date dinner where you can try several wood-fired pizzas at once, Hongdae Hwadeok Pizza is a great fit.

Written Oct 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangmyeong, GyeonggiRestaurants

Galbi house near Gwangmyeong Market, self-serve side bar: Seoseo Galbi

Gwangmyeong Seoseo Galbi is a marinated galbi (short rib) restaurant near Gwangmyeong Market in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. The writer ordered 2 servings of seoseo galbi and a mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth) for 5,000 won. On top of the basic side dishes, unlimited refills from the self-serve side bar included marinated crab. Gwangmyeong Seoseo Galbi is a laid-back local barbecue spot that works well for an affordable family galbi meal.

Written Oct 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Sports pub near Yeongdeungpo Market Station with wall screens: Jirbak

Jirbak is a BBQ beer bar and sports pub between Yeongdeungpo Market Station and Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. Under a giant screen that fills a whole wall and more screens on every side, the writer had wood-fire charcoal chicken and Spanish fried shrimp with an Unjjang Pilsner and a hefeweizen. Jirbak is a good Yeongdeungpo bar for watching the World Cup or any game over a beer.

Written Jun 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Rainy-day Mangwon pub: half-and-half jeon and makgeolli, Jeongju Ilga

Jeongju Ilga (정주일가) is a Korean pub serving bossam, jeon (Korean savory pancakes) and hotpot, tucked into an alley off Poeun-ro in Mangwon, Mapo, Seoul. On a rainy day we sat by the window and ordered Jipyeong makgeolli, a half-and-half jeon (chive and kimchi cheese) and brisket doenjang hotpot through Catch Table QR, and the evening started with a laugh at the 'Five Prohibitions' on Jeongju Ilga's menu. Jeongju Ilga is more than a pub with a nice atmosphere: the food in this Mangwon Korean pub was satisfying too.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Sangsu Station date pub for chestnut makgeolli: Dambaek Jujeom

Dambaek Jujeom (담백주점) is a Korean pub tucked down an alley about a 5-minute walk from Sangsu Station in Mapo, Seoul, serving yukhoe, suyuk (boiled pork) and gochujang stew alongside a wide range of traditional liquors and makgeolli. On a drizzly date night, the writer ordered pollock roe and gamtae (thin seaweed) rice balls, pork jowl suyuk and gochujang stew with chestnut makgeolli, and the tender suyuk, spicy stew and quiet atmosphere all hit the mark. For anyone looking for a Sangsu Station pub built for conversation rather than noise, Dambaek Jujeom is a good fit.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored