Dongjak Vietnamese restaurant for bun cha: Bangbaedong Ssalguksu

As the weather suddenly turned chilly, I started craving a steaming bowl of soup. I happened to be walking through the back streets near Isu Station, so I immediately headed to Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch, which I’d been meaning to try for ages.

Bottom line: definitely a great pho spot near Isu Station!

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch: Waiting and Parking Q&A

• When I visited at 7:30 p.m. on a weekday, there were plenty of seats.
• The spicy beef brisket pho is less spicy than Shin Ramyun. Even those who can’t handle heat can give it a try!
• Expect to spend around ₩12,000–₩14,000 per person.
• I highly recommend pairing either the spicy beef brisket pho or bun cha with pineapple fried rice.
• Parking is not available.

Visitor Information for Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Near Isu Station

It is located on the first floor at 50 Dongjak-daero 25-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Hours are 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with last orders at 8:00 p.m.; on Saturday and Sunday, hours are 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., with last orders at 7:00 p.m. Parking is not available.

A Restaurant Setting for Solo Diners and Groups

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu, tucked into a back street near Isu Station, sits quietly away from the flashy main road. The interior has a strong stainless-steel feel, with bar-style seating that looks great for dining alone, plus several tables for four, so groups should be fine too.

The open kitchen inspires confidence.

You can refill side dishes at the self-service bar, and there are beers neatly lined up in the refrigerator... haha.

What We Ordered and the Generous Portions

We ordered spicy beef brisket pho for ₩12,000, pineapple fried rice for ₩12,000, and bun cha for ₩14,000. We were hungry and enthusiastically ordered all three, but each dish was so generous that it almost could have filled three people, haha.

If you visit alone, one bowl of pho is plenty filling. For two or three people, I recommend making a meal of it by adding the bun cha and fried rice.

Personally, next time I visit, I’ll have to try the pho hot pot (₩40,000) too.

How Were the Spicy Beef Brisket Pho, Fried Rice, and Bun Cha?

Even in photos, the portions are substantial..

Spicy Beef Brisket Pho

Just as the name suggests, this pho has a slight kick. But it is absolutely not too hot for someone who can’t handle spice; it is milder than Shin Ramyun, so it goes down easily in chilly weather. The beef brisket adds savory depth to the broth, and that mix of spicy warmth and rich flavor is the key point.

If you ask separately, they’ll give you lots of cilantro, haha.

Pineapple Fried Rice

The rice grains had a nice bite. With every mouthful, the combination of meat, an oyster-sauce-like sauce, and springy rice was much more satisfying than I expected. The pineapple was sweet too, so I kept reaching for it without a chance for it to feel heavy.

Bun Cha

Personally, bun cha was unquestionably the star of the day. You put the noodles, vegetables, and meat into the sauce and mix it all together; the tangy sauce, thin noodles, lightly sweet meat, crisp cabbage, and fragrant cilantro made for a combination that kept calling for another bite. Even my dining companion cleared their bun cha without a word of complaint, haha.

Menus to Choose With the Seasons

When the weather cools in the transition seasons or winter, I definitely find myself craving spicy, warming broths like the spicy beef brisket pho. In hot summer, on the other hand, the sweet-and-tangy bun cha would be nice and light when you have no appetite.

With beer.... vodka????

It felt like the kind of place where it is fun to switch up your order with the seasons.

Final Thoughts on Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch

Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch made me see why people say it has already established itself in Bangbae-dong. The spicy beef brisket pho was satisfying too, but the bun cha is what I remember most. If you are craving pho near Isu Station, stopping by Bangbaedong Ssalguksu could be a great choice, haha.

After eating, I became even more curious about the pho hot pot I haven’t tried yet...? Just how good must it be?