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Cafés, restaurants and places in Seoul, written by bloggers who went there.
Baekok Myeongdong is a pork gomtang (pork bone soup) restaurant tucked into an alley in Myeongdong, Seoul. The writer ordered the clear pork gomtang, the spicy yeolgomtang with cheongyang chili, and cabbage dumplings side by side to compare, and found the pork smell mild and the broth far from greasy. It's a solid pick in Myeongdong when you want a bowl of soup that isn't too heavy or spicy.
Anhung Galbi Main Branch is a pork ribs restaurant in Jangan-dong, Dongdaemun, Seoul, run by the same family for four generations since 1981. Diners grill handmade marinated pork ribs over charcoal, wrap them in lettuce, and finish with free doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) and a free naengmyeon (cold noodles) per person. The chewy texture, achieved without relying on tenderizer, is the highlight.
Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch is an izakaya on Munnae-ro near Yeongdeungpo Time Square in Seoul. The visit covered the wall-divided private seats and group seating upstairs, plus an order of cabbage salad (the default side), clam soup, and seasoned cucumbers. A solid pick for coworkers or friends who want to actually talk instead of shouting over a noisy bar.
Yangeunine Samseong Station Branch is a Korean restaurant near COEX and Samseong Station in Gangnam, Seoul, specializing in spicy pollack soup and squid bossam. The 48,000-won Yangeunine set comes with squid bossam, pollack soup and water naengmyeon, plus unlimited rice and radish green soup during lunch hours and a sujeonggwa dessert to finish. If you're near COEX and want a hearty Korean lunch, Yangeunine Samseong Station Branch is the answer.
Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch is a 24-hour gukbap (Korean soup with rice) restaurant on the corner of the Hongik University Station intersection in Mapo, Seoul. On a chilly rainy day, this spicy yukjeon gukbap—topped with a freshly pan-fried beef pancake and loaded with radish and meat—made a hearty, warming bowl. Anyone craving a filling meal near Hongdae, day or night, will find Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch worth the stop.
Hoyo Hongdae is a teppanyaki-focused izakaya near Hongik University Station in Mapo, Seoul. Sitting at the long dachi counter, you can watch the beef mushroom chop steak cook right in front of you, complete with a fire show, alongside yakisoba loaded with extra toppings and a grapefruit highball. With its open kitchen layout, it's a great pick for a date or small group hangout in Hongdae.
Hamaru Hoegi is a Japanese-style izakaya near Kyung Hee University's front gate, by Exit 1 of Hoegi Station in Dongdaemun, Seoul. A couple ordered butter-grilled shrimp and scallops, chicken thigh skewers, tsukune, and enoki mushroom pork belly rolls with Asahi draft beer, and staff quickly moved them to an outdoor table when the AC felt too cold. With late-night hours and patio seating, it's a great pick for a cool-evening date night.
Pip Espresso Bar is an espresso bar in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, an 11-minute walk from Hongik University Station. The Pip Coffee, an Earl Grey base topped with espresso and cream, along with the Con Panna Mascarpone and the tiramisu banana crumble, plus a nice touch where staff will turn on whichever wall light you like. The Pip Coffee exceeded expectations, so a repeat visit is planned.
Hanseong Yang Kkochi Gyodae Branch 2 is a lamb skewer and Chinese restaurant within walking distance of Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul, with parking right in front. A weeknight 6:30pm reservation with a friend still landed in a nearly full house, with lamb tenderloin skewers and lamb skewers at ₩23,000 and ₩17,000 plus mala xiangguo (spicy stir-fried vegetables and meat) and rice on the side. With an auto-rotating grill doing the work, it's a solid pick for a group dinner or work dinner.
Ari Gyegok Jonggak is a bar near Jongno Station, Seoul, known for chicken hot pot and unusual small dishes. Revisiting as a second-round spot for a wedding invitation gathering, the writer ordered the original chicken hot pot (₩22,900), chicken thigh yurinki, and omija and bokbunja-watermelon highballs, finishing with added Chinese-style noodles. The clear but deep broth and tender chicken tenderloin calmed down the spicier first-round food, making it a solid pick for a Jongno get-together.
Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a chicken broth ramen restaurant on the 2nd floor, 5 minutes from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station, Seoul. Visiting on a weekday at 11:40am meant no waiting at all for kara paitan ramen with an extra soft-boiled egg and a side of assorted tsukune, though a line had already formed by 12:10pm on the way out. With free refills on noodles, broth, rice and kimchi, plus hair ties and aprons on offer, it's an easy, unpressured spot for solo diners too.
Modam Itaewon is a Korean restaurant on the first floor of the Mondrian Hotel in Yongsan, Seoul. Visiting on a weekend evening, the writer ordered the deodeok (bellflower root) grilled and charcoal tteokgalbi (short rib patty) set and the charcoal Beopseongpo dried yellow corvina set, working through a full course from appetizers to a perilla leaf sorbet. With several soundproof private rooms, it's a solid choice for meeting the in-laws or other important gatherings.
