Thai restaurant in Euljiro, Seoul for rib pho: Kkai 9

Kkai 9, an Euljiro lunch spot that has truly won over office workers with rib pho in a rich broth and spicy-sour tom yum pho. The Thai-style braised pork leg rice bowl, khao kha mu, melts tenderly away, while tod mun kung is packed with bouncy shrimp meat—the perfect combination. With its cool, local night-market vibe, this is an Euljiro office-worker favorite worth the wait.

Where is Kkai 9 in Euljiro, and what is it like?

In the Hipjiro alleys that fill with office workers every weekday lunchtime, there is a place where you can get a real taste of Thailand. It is Kkai 9 (까이9), a Thai-food specialist that has gained serious word-of-mouth as an Euljiro lunch spot.

From the door onward, the exotic neon sign and interior recalling a Thai night market caught my eye. The dining room is compact, but tables turn over quickly, and the table spacing and flow are neatly arranged, so there was no inconvenience at all for a busy lunch. Euljiro's distinctive vintage-alley atmosphere blends naturally with the feeling of a local Thai restaurant; the moment I opened the door, it felt as though I had set off for Bangkok.

What we ordered at Kkai 9

Kkai 9's menu is well rounded, with pho, rice bowls, and fried sides. It is set up nicely for sharing according to everyone's preferences when you visit with coworkers or friends.

• Tom yum pho: a hangover-curing powerhouse with its distinctive tartness and spice
• Rib pho: thick cuts of meat in a clear, deeply flavorful beef broth
• Khao kha mu: tender Thai-style braised pork leg rice bowl, carefully simmered for a long time
• Tod mun kung (4 pieces): a side of thick shrimp patties, fried until crisp

Thinking the two of us should eat a properly filling meal, we laid out a generous spread of three mains plus a fried side.

The broths in the rib pho and tom yum pho

Not long after ordering, the first dishes to arrive were two steaming bowls of pho.

Rib pho with tender meat

The rib pho my companion chose had an overwhelming visual presence. The lean meat had been simmered long enough to melt softly in the mouth, with none of that tough texture. The broth was deeply infused with the savory flavor of beef stock without going overboard on spices, creating a deep yet clean taste that Koreans of all preferences can enjoy. The crisp scallions and bean sprouts on top brought the broth's rich flavor even more to life.

Bright and spicy tom yum pho

The tom yum pho I ordered immediately stirred my appetite with its red broth. The first spoonful brought a balance of lemongrass's bright fragrance, pleasantly sharp heat, and a subtle nuttiness. It was not greasy and finished cleanly, making it an excellent hangover meal for a stomach tired from the previous night's company dinner. The noodles stayed springy rather than turning soft, soaking up plenty of broth and making it hard to put down my chopsticks. This was not heat for heat's sake, but an elegant tartness that neatly refined authentic Thai flavor.

How were the khao kha mu and tod mun kung?

The dishes served alongside the soups were also very well executed. First, the khao kha mu (Thai-style braised pork leg rice bowl) had a sweet-and-salty soy-based seasoning that had seeped deeply into the meat. It was so tender that it pulled apart along the grain with only the slightest pressure from a spoon, balancing the chewy skin with the clean flavor of the lean meat. Place a thick piece of meat on white rice, moisten it with a little of the sauce, and add a touch of the tangy, spicy sauce served alongside—it finishes cleanly, without any heaviness.

The tod mun kung (4 pieces) we added as a side arrived freshly fried, with a gorgeous golden crispness. The coating was thin and crunchy, while the inside was completely filled with minced whole shrimp. One bite delivered the shrimp's springy bite along with its juices. Dip it generously in sweet chili sauce and the nutty fried flavor and sweetness come together, making it a wonderful highlight between the mains. With four pieces, it is just the right amount for two people to share two each.

Tips for a lunchtime visit to Kkai 9 in Euljiro

After 11:40 a.m., nearby office workers begin arriving for lunch and there may be a wait, so I recommend an early lunch arrival around 11:20 a.m. if you would like a relaxed meal. Its approachable balance of flavors is comfortable even for people unfamiliar with spices, while its deep flavors preserve the local feel, making it highly recommendable as an Euljiro lunch spot. Choose the rib pho when you crave a filling meaty broth, or the tom yum pho when you want to wake up your appetite and need a spicy hangover cure. Add the crisp-outside, tender-inside tod mun kung and the flavor-packed khao kha mu, and you will have a satisfying lunch.