Private-room Korean restaurant in Mapo, Seoul: Usu Dinner B Course

I went to Usu (우수) near Gongdeok Station to have a quiet dinner and talk with a friend on their birthday. I chose it because every seat is in a separate room and it serves Korean dining courses. We ordered the Dinner B Course that day.

How do you get to Usu from Gongdeok Station, and is parking available?

Usu is on B2 of Lotte Castle President, directly in front of Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station. It was easy to find because it is close to the station.

Parking was available in the building, and the guidance at the time said that three hours of free parking were provided regardless of the number of vehicles. The listed hours were daily 11:00–22:00, with a break time from 15:00 to 17:00, and corkage was free. I visited for dinner, but meals were also available at lunch.

Is it good for quiet conversation during a birthday meal?

The atmosphere was calm. Above all, every seat was in a private room, so once the door was closed, nearby table noise barely registered. I could eat and talk comfortably with my friend.

Each room had its own clothes hanger, and the table setting was neat. I felt it would suit not only a birthday meal but also family gatherings, dates, or any occasion that calls for a quiet table.

What does the Dinner B Course start with?

The Dinner B Course we ordered was filling by the end of the meal. Before we began, the staff showed us and explained the ingredients being used that day. They also introduced the caviar and truffle, which made the meal feel thoughtfully presented.

The first dish was u-gye jinjuk, a soft porridge made with Korean beef bone and chicken broth. With nurungji (scorched rice) and shiitake mushrooms added, it was a light way to begin.

Next came three bite-sized dishes: bulgogi sandwich, scallop and clam, and sweet shrimp gimbugak (crispy fried seaweed). The bulgogi sandwich in particular paired tender brioche with Korean beef bulgogi and truffle cream cheese, giving even a small bite plenty of flavor.

The shiitake shrimp and zucchini that followed had a nice aroma from peanut tofu sauce and chamnamul oil.

The yukhoe gamtae was fun to eat in one bite, with raw beef wrapped in gamtae seaweed. Each dish had different flavors and textures, so I could take my time with the course.

What dishes come before the Korean beef main?

The okdom (tilefish) was served over barley and chamnamul rice, with neungi mushroom broth poured over it. It was enjoyed like ochazuke; the clean broth and tender fish suited my taste.

The aroma of the broth went well with the rice, and I also liked the slightly scorched parts of the rice.

The Korean beef tteokgalbi that followed was moist and tender. With white balsamic and basil oil, it tasted fresher than the tteokgalbi I usually eat.

Just before the main, we had abalone five-color gardenia noodles. The mustard-garlic sauce had a sharp, refreshing kick that seemed to reset my palate. The dishes arrived at an unhurried pace that suited a leisurely meal.

How do you eat the Korean beef sirloin, and was it filling?

The main was 1++ Korean beef sirloin with a Korean beef seaweed soup set. Having seaweed soup alongside it suited a birthday meal with my friend.

An individual brazier was set up, so we could grill the meat ourselves to the doneness we wanted. The beef was tender and juicy.

We grilled the vegetables served alongside it and had them with seaweed soup and rice. After the earlier dishes and the set meal, it felt like a substantial full meal by the end.

How was dessert and the end of the meal?

For dessert, corn ice cream came with crumble, apricot, and green citrus cream sauce. It was nutty and refreshing, so I could finish it cleanly even though I was quite full.

I finished the meal with cool jasmine tea. Being able to talk with my friend in a quiet room and slowly enjoy dishes with different flavors and textures made it a satisfying birthday dinner.