Japanese restaurant in Mapo, Seoul: tomato okonomiyaki at Gusa Yeonnam

While looking for somewhere to eat in Hongdae with a friend, I visited Gusa Yeonnam (구사 연남). I do not usually seek out okonomiyaki, so I went without high expectations, but the tomato okonomiyaki was what stayed with me most.

What is the atmosphere like for a meal with friends or a date?

The exterior caught my eye with a slight Japanese feel mixed into Hongdae’s distinctive atmosphere.

Inside, it did not feel overly hectic like a bar to me. It was good for a meal with a friend, and I thought it would be fine for a date as well. As each dish arrived, it was also fun to photograph the table.

What comes with the Wagu Set for Two?

We ordered the Wagu Set for Two. It included a wagyu platter, tomato okonomiyaki, and cream udon, so we could try all three at once. It made choosing easier when we wanted to share several dishes.

How was the wagyu platter with the other dishes?

With a meat dish included, the set felt more substantial. I think I would have found it a little lacking with only okonomiyaki and udon, but adding wagyu between them made the combination work well. As my friend and I picked at it piece by piece, we finished it quickly.

Four plump shrimp also came with it. I enjoyed the shrimp more than I expected.

Why was the tomato okonomiyaki the most memorable?

I do not usually go out of my way for okonomiyaki because its sauce can be strong or it can start to feel rich as I eat it. Here, though, the tomato’s fresh flavor seemed to balance the heavier taste.

I could taste the tomato through the rich sauce, and the combination worked well enough that I kept reaching for it. It was the most memorable dish my friend and I had, so I would order it again on a future visit.

How was the cream udon with the rest of the set?

The cream udon had a different flavor profile from the first two dishes, which made it enjoyable to alternate between them. We shared all three dishes, having udon between the wagyu and okonomiyaki. For the two of us, who wanted to try several dishes, the set was a good option.

Where is Gusa Yeonnam, and what is the price range?

Gusa Yeonnam is on B1 of Yeontral Tower, 6 Donggyo-ro 30-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The original post lists its hours as daily from 12:00 to 24:00 and the price range as about ₩20,000–₩30,000 per person. The exact price of the Wagu Set for Two was not stated in the original post.