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Cafés, restaurants and places in Seoul, written by bloggers who went there.
Naegohyang Jeju is a Jeju-style Korean restaurant in Seocho, Seoul. The 48,000 won Halla-san Special Set included seasonal sashimi, seafood, whole grilled hairtail, and a seafood hot pot with six abalones. Verdict: a generous choice for a restorative meal with parents.
BYWAY BAKERS Yeongdeungpo Branch is a bakery café in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. I tried the egg tart, Dubai chocolate salt bread, fresh blueberry yogurt Wakku salt bread, and olive cheese bagel, each with memorable textures and combinations. Verdict: a lovely place for a relaxed bread break timed to freshly baked batches.
Soottori Hongdae Hapjeong is an izakaya bar in Mapo, Seoul, for skewers and a wide range of drinks. Four of us shared the 3–4 person charcoal omakase Japanese pasta set, draft beer, sours, and dessert for 38,900 won. Verdict: a generously portioned spot for drinks and a second round without moving elsewhere.
Ieo Coffee Roasters Gongdeok Branch is a dessert café in Mapo, Seoul, near Daeheung Station and Gongdeok. My younger sibling and I ordered iced chamomile, a café latte, lemonade, and Basque cheesecake, then spent time by the sunny window. Verdict: the moist, richly flavored cheesecake was the standout.
Gungmin Nakgopsae Gangseo Branch is a nakgopsae restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, within walking distance of Balsan Station. After avoiding nakgopsae for three years, I tried the medium beef tripe nakgopsae for 34,900 won on a friend’s repeat-visit recommendation and loved the huge octopus, shrimp, and tender texture. Verdict: a place I’d happily revisit when I’m craving a generously loaded, gently spicy nakgopsae.
Petrico is a café in Mapo, Seoul, near Hapjeong Station. I tried its 17,000 won chocolate banana soufflé and 7,500 won basil tomato ade in a warm, wood-filled space with parking options. Petrico is a lovely pick for a sweet soufflé and refreshing ade together.
Riae Premium Olympic Park Branch is a tonkatsu restaurant in Gangdong, Seoul, serving thick cuts of aged pork. We had Jirisan aged sirloin cutlet, premium special loin katsu, and a small cold soba for dinner. Verdict: the generous portions and excellent pork flavor were especially satisfying.
Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Garak Flagship is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, serving Korean beef intestines with house-made kimchi. After a 30-minute weekday-evening wait, the writer had three portions of gopchang and yangbap for 66,000 won. Verdict: order generously from the start for the fragrant, sweet-tangy minari sauce and richly filled gopchang.
Pug Pizza House Sillim Branch is a pet-friendly pizza restaurant in Gwanak, Seoul, with a dedicated third-floor pet zone. I tried a half-and-half pizza with grilled pollock roe beef brisket and truffle shrimp scallop toppings, plus perilla-leaf Buldak rosé cheese pasta. A great pick for pizza and beer in a roomy space with your pet.
Bakerist Brown is a bakery café between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station in Seoul. I tried salt bread, egg tarts, an Alligator pastry, a Gangnam Sand cookie set, and lattes in its spacious, atmospheric space. Verdict: a lovely stop for crisp pastries and colorful cookies.
Yeonnam Jokbal 1987 Jonggak Branch is a Korean restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, serving a fried jokbal set and cold buckwheat noodles between Jonggak and Jongno 3-ga stations. I enjoyed its clean, same-day-boiled jokbal, crisp coating, and plentiful side-dish combinations. Verdict: a great stop when you want to try crispy fried jokbal in lots of different ways.
Naeil Didi is a nail salon in Gangnam, Seoul, offering syrup-color single-color gel nails. On short nails kept practical for parenting, I had basic care and a clear, softly tinted color applied, with valet parking available for 5,000 won during my visit. Verdict: a neat daily nail option with a quick finish.
