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Cafés, restaurants and places in Seoul, written by bloggers who went there.
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.
Gamdol Yeontan-jip Seonyudo Station Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Seonyudo Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. After watching the sunset at Mangwon Hangang Park, my family enjoyed special pork neck, flat spicy noodles, soybean paste stew, and steamed egg with shrimp, avoiding the wait with a reservation. Verdict: the smoky, juicy pork neck and flat spicy noodles were a winning pair.
HEOD Gongdeok is a brunch café near Daeheung Station and the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail in Mapo, Seoul. I tried the kabocha cream gnocchi, truffle perilla-seed gnocchi, vanilla French toast, and a signature latte. Verdict: come prepared to order one gnocchi per person.
Cheonsanga Jangeoga Hagae Branch is a charcoal-grilled eel restaurant in Nowon, Seoul. Two adults and one child shared a two-person set, grilled sausage, rice, and a drink, with staff grilling and deboning the eel. Verdict: a satisfying, family-friendly eel meal with a generous spread.
Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, serving rice bowls, ramen, curry and katsu, soba, and udon. I enjoyed a warming kara ramen set and a smoky pork jowl rice bowl set with udon and fried chicken after drinks the night before. Verdict: Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is a great pick near Kkachisan Station when everyone wants different menu options.
Out of Order is a fusion Korean restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul, near Seongsu Station. Four friends booked its lunch course and tried doenjang carbonara sujebi, tteokgalbi barley risotto, crispy three-color lasagna, and napa cabbage salad. Verdict: book ahead for a memorable Seongsu lunch, especially for the lasagna.
Matam Fruit Store Mapo Gongdeok Branch is a premium fruit shop in Mapo, Seoul, offering pre-ordered fruit gifts and baskets. I sent my parents a Chuseok fruit gift set by quick delivery and heard praise for its freshness, generous selection, and packaging. Verdict: a gift that truly delighted my parents.
