Areas · 3267 stories
Cafés, restaurants and places in Seoul, written by bloggers who went there.
Jindoken Seongsu Branch is an izakaya in Seongdong, Seoul, serving Japanese bar snacks in a calm, wood-toned space. On a weekday evening, we ordered Blue Lemon Highballs, mackerel pressed sushi, abalone innards pasta, and charcoal-grilled chicken thigh. Jindoken Seongsu Branch is a place I would revisit for a mood-filled date night.
Eulji Darak Gangnam Station is an Italian-style restaurant near Gangnam and Sinnonhyeon Stations in Seoul. Four former coworkers shared pasta, omelet rice, pork neck steak, and butter highballs at a reserved table. A generous, easygoing pick for a Gangnam get-together.
Fluffy Bake Shop is a small bake shop near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. After lunch, I tried its many madeleines, and the chestnut madeleine with a whole chestnut and chestnut cream, plus the nutty, full-bodied Americano, were my favorites. Verdict: I’d return whenever I’m craving a chestnut dessert.
Naemyeonui Balgyeon is a seasonal, experience-focused café in Mapo, Seoul. On a late Sunday afternoon, I explored Season 2, “Rest and Sprout,” and had a Forest Cloud and Milliphilly Milky Oolong Tea. Verdict: a lovely Hongdae date spot for quietly pausing and sharing a feeling.
BAS Burger Euljiro Branch is a burger restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul. I paired a BAS Burger set with coleslaw instead of fries, Buffalo chicken wings, truffle mayo, potato chips, and draft beer. Verdict: a satisfying choice for a solo lunch set or shareable sides with friends.
Jongga Mandu is a Korean restaurant near Jongno 3-ga Station in Jongno, Seoul, serving a half-and-half broth dumpling hot pot. For 28,000 won, the set included four meat dumplings, four kimchi dumplings, shabu meat, vegetables, and kalguksu noodles, plus many refills of tasty geotjeori kimchi. Verdict: a hard-to-choose split-broth hot pot where both sides were delicious.
Weizenhaus Bangbae Branch 1 is a craft beer bar by Exit 11 of Sadang Station in Seocho, Seoul. After board games and dinner, we settled into a roomy, cozy seat with ale, stout, and arugula pizza. Weizenhaus Bangbae Branch 1 is a great pick for an easy second round near Sadang Station.
Noju is a contemporary dining restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, serving a 10-course seasonal dinner for 89,000 won. From fig-butter focaccia to charcoal-grilled abalone, Black Tiger shrimp, truffle gnocchi, and steak, every course came with thoughtful chef explanations. Verdict: a memorable choice for a special meal with wine pairing.
One Play Jamsil Branch is a comic café in Songpa, Seoul, where guests can enjoy manga, OTT streaming, board games, and console games. We chose the 10,900-won evening shower rate, upgraded our drinks, and settled into an OTT room with Death Note. Verdict: a lovely indoor-date spot with plenty of ways to spend the time.
Deo Bareun Jeongyuk Sikdang Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Station Main Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul. Two friends ordered two portions of pork neck and one portion of pork belly, plus nurungji and doenjang-jjigae. Verdict: a great choice for an easygoing dinner where you can chat while staff grill thick, juicy meat.
Yeseoban is a Korean restaurant in Gwanak, Seoul, between Sillim and Seowon Stations. I had the 2-person small braised skate set with freshly cooked pot rice, neat side dishes, bean sprouts, and radish. Verdict: the tender skate and addictive sauce made this a meal I won't forget.
Mil Tteok Factory Main Branch is an instant tteokbokki restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul. The M-size brisket tteokbokki with jjolmyeon noodles, assorted fritters, and butter garlic fries was a generous meal for two for under 20,000 won. Verdict: Mil Tteok Factory Main Branch is a must for a satisfying, great-value tteokbokki feast.
