Order List Keeper · 19 stories

What I Ordered

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

PlaceDongdaemun, SeoulRestaurants

Galbitang restaurant near Hoegi Station, 120kg ribs a day: Hoegi Wang

Hoegi Wang Galbitang (회기왕갈비탕) is a galbitang (beef short rib soup) restaurant on Imun-ro near Hoegi Station in Dongdaemun, Seoul. On a low-energy day, the writer went with a close younger friend just after the lunch rush and ordered the Giryeok Hoebok Special Wang Galbitang (18,000 won) and the Wongi Hoebok Galbitang (16,000 won). The clear, deep broth, ribs that come off the bone at a touch of the chopsticks, house-made seokbakji (radish kimchi), unlimited rice and free dessert all satisfied. Hoegi Wang Galbitang is worth recommending when you need a hearty, restorative meal near Hoegi Station.

Written Jun 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Eel restaurant at Seoul City Hall: hitsumabushi with Mom, Tawa

Tawa is a Nagoya-style hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice) Japanese restaurant on basement level 1 of the Hansan Building, near Exit 10 of City Hall Station in Seoul. The writer and their eel-loving mom shared a small hitsumabushi (30,000 won) and a kaisendon (seafood rice bowl, 25,000 won). Both were delighted by the open kitchen, where eel is grilled over a traditional charcoal hearth, and by the fresh sashimi. For anyone taking parents out for an eel rice bowl near City Hall Station, Tawa is a good fit.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Chilly-day ramen shop in Euljiro: spicy shoyu, horumon-don, Mentsuru

Mentsuru Euljiro Branch (멘츠루 을지로점) is a ramen and rice bowl shop in an alley near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. On a chilly day, two friends ordered one spicy shoyu ramen and one horumon-don (beef intestine rice bowl) to share, about ₩13,000 each, and the deep, rich spicy broth balanced the sweet intestine sauce well. Mentsuru Euljiro Branch is an easy ramen stop in Euljiro when you crave something soupy, with a friend or solo.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gyukatsu at Mapo Station with a friend: autumn décor & curry, Gyudo

Premium Gyukatsu Gyudo Mapo Gongdeok Main Branch is a smoked gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on basement level 1 of the Obelisk shopping arcade near Mapo Station in Seoul. Two friends shared the gyukatsu set for two (₩47,000) plus a bite-size curry, grilling smoked sirloin gyukatsu on personal brass hearths, then finished with sweet pumpkin pot rice and sungnyung (scorched-rice tea), with thoughtful touches like a self bar and personal drawers. Gyudo Mapo Gongdeok Main Branch gets meat quality, atmosphere and service right, making it a great Mapo Station gyukatsu spot for an autumn meal.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong pasta dinner for two, Cajun rosé & duck risotto: Hey Joji

Hey Joji (헤이죠지) is a Western and pasta restaurant with an American-home feel, tucked into an alley in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul. Over dinner with a close friend, the writer shared a Cajun shrimp rosé pasta and a duck truffle cream risotto for ₩34,000 in total, and the soup-thick rosé sauce and the duck, crispy outside and tender inside, stood out most. For fans of rich, creamy pasta and risotto, Hey Joji beats expectations.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Yeonnam-dong café: staff-picked drip to match your taste, Central Site

Central Site Yeonnam (센트럴사이트 연남점) is a three-floor hand drip café on Yeonhui-ro in Mapo, Seoul. The writer, who doesn't enjoy acidic coffee, described their taste to the staff and was recommended Guji Haro Wachu and Entre Volcanes 2026 Washed hand drip, which they had with a classic tiramisu by the window with a friend on a weekday evening. Central Site Yeonnam is a Yeonnam-dong café where even people who know little about coffee can easily find a specialty brew that suits them.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJungnang, SeoulRestaurants

Sagajeong Station Korean BBQ, 540g set for two at ₩52,000: Daepan

Daepan Sotddukkeong Kimchi Samgyeopsal (대판솥뚜껑김치삼겹살) is a Korean BBQ restaurant on Dongil-ro in Myeonmok-dong, Jungnang, Seoul, that grills pork on cast-iron cauldron lids. Two friends shared the 540g Daepan Set (for 3) of pork belly, pork neck and thin-sliced pork brisket with grilled cheese and steamed egg for ₩52,000, adding self-serve kimchi pancakes and albap (fish roe fried rice). The meat was a little short for two, but the generous sides left everyone full, making Daepan Sotddukkeong Kimchi Samgyeopsal a good pick for group dinners.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Noodle restaurant by Yangjae Citizens' Forest: ₩17,000 lunch, Seonbawi

Seonbawi Memil Jangteo Yangjae Branch is a 100% buckwheat noodle Korean restaurant near Yangjae Citizens' Forest in Seocho, Seoul. Over lunch, the writer and a close younger friend shared two servings of buckwheat clam kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup, ₩26,000) and king mandu dumplings (₩8,000), paying ₩34,000 in total, or about ₩17,000 each. With a rich broth piled high with clams and a spacious second floor, Seonbawi Memil Jangteo is a good fit for lunch with family or friends.

Written Oct 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Amsa tonkatsu bar: watching the owner slice special loin katsu, Tonka

Tonka is a Japanese-style tonkatsu restaurant with an open-kitchen bar counter, tucked down an alley near Amsa Station in Gangdong, Seoul. Two friends ordered two plates of Tonka's limited-quantity special loin katsu (₩18,000 each) and watched the owner trim, fry and slice the pork with a big knife right in front of them. Crispy outside and moist and pale pink inside, Tonka's special loin katsu is worth more than its price.

Written Oct 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Wangsimni bakery café escape from the heat: Matilda cake, Eojil In

Eojil In Wangsimni Station Branch (어질 인 왕십리역점) is a two-floor bakery café one minute from Exit 6 of Wangsimni Station in Seongdong, Seoul. On a hot day, the writer and a close younger friend shared the signature Café Milk Bowl, an Americano, a Matilda chocolate cake and an egg tart for around ₩10,000–19,000 per person, and both the library-like first floor and the roomy, partitioned second floor stood out. Eojil In Wangsimni Station Branch is a good café near Wangsimni Station for a dessert sugar fix without worrying about finding a seat.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Gyukatsu restaurant in Euljiro 3-ga with a high-heat grill: Hurato

Hurato Sikdang Euljiro (후라토식당 을지로점) is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant in the first basement level of Tower 107 Building near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Seoul. Two friends shared Set 2 (38,000 won): a gyukatsu set meal, Japanese-style omurice and 2 drinks. The personal grill ran so hot that the fuel never needed changing, and the beef browned in moments. If you are tired of gyukatsu places with weak grills, Hurato Sikdang Euljiro is a good choice.

Written Oct 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seoulsup okonomiyaki for weekday dinner with a friend: Oshi Black

Oshi Black Seongsu is an okonomiyaki and yakisoba teppanyaki restaurant on basement level 1 of 22-18 Seoulsup 4-gil, Seongdong, Seoul. On a weekday evening with a friend, the writer had the 2-person selection for 37,000 won (Oshi Classic okonomiyaki, a yakisoba pork belly roll and Potesarabeans, a potato salad with beans), and the wall of guests' answers on question notes and the bear candle stood out most. With good food, atmosphere and prices all round, Oshi Black Seongsu is an easy recommendation for a dinner meetup near Seoulsup.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored