Thai restaurant in Euljiro 3-ga for grilled pork and beer: Kkai 9

It was a day when a friend and I enjoyed shopping in Myeongdong, stopped by Myeongdong Cathedral, and took a slow walk around. After all that walking, we craved something exotic, so we headed toward Euljiro 3-ga and visited Kkai 9 for proper Thai food.

It was right beside Exit 9 of Euljiro 3-ga Station, so it was easy to find, and the moment we went upstairs, it felt like arriving at a Thai travel destination. We ordered moo ping, stir-fried water spinach, and kor moo yang with Singha beer; each dish had a distinct character, yet they went together beautifully. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a good Euljiro 3-ga restaurant or a special meal after a Myeongdong date.

Kkai 9’s location and Thai night-market atmosphere

After spending time in Myeongdong, we made our way to Euljiro 3-ga Station. Kkai 9 is right next to Exit 9, which made navigating there incredibly easy. Its address is 6 Chungmu-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, and Euljiro’s characteristically old alleyway atmosphere blended naturally with the lively feel of a Thai restaurant.

The Thai mood was palpable right from the entrance, which got me excited. Climbing the stairs to the second floor, I found an interior that felt like a Thai night market.

The props and atmosphere were not overdone, but they captured that exotic feeling so well that it felt like taking a quick trip right in the middle of Seoul.

Moo ping, stir-fried water spinach, and kor moo yang ordered by QR code

A QR code was ready at the table, making ordering simple. After looking over the menu, we chose Singha beer, stir-fried water spinach, two pieces of moo ping, and kor moo yang. Having several dishes together brought out the appeal of Thai drinking food and a full meal, and it was lovely to enjoy slowly while chatting with my friend.

The moo ping and Singha beer pairing

Moo ping was the dish that impressed me first. The nicely browned skewers gave off that wonderfully nutty aroma of grilled meat. Dipping them in the accompanying paladin sauce added sweet-salty, savory depth, but the seasoning had soaked in so well that they were delicious even without the sauce.

Moo ping went especially well with Singha beer. One bite brought smoky char and rich meat flavor, then the cold beer cleared the palate neatly.

It is a great dish for starting with a casual beer, so I think you’d be very happy ordering it after work with colleagues or for dinner in Euljiro with friends.

Wok-char and crunch in the stir-fried water spinach

The stir-fried water spinach came with just enough sauce coating it. The savory seasoning had a lively wok-char flavor, while the water spinach kept its characteristic crisp yet tender texture. I liked that the seasoning did not overpower everything, instead letting the vegetable’s aroma and texture shine.

Adding the stir-fried water spinach between bites of moo ping and kor moo yang made the meal feel even more abundant. The meat’s nuttiness, the vegetables’ freshness, and the sauce’s savory depth flowed together naturally, so ordering all three was an extremely satisfying choice.

The rich flavor of thinly sliced kor moo yang

Kor moo yang reminded me somewhat of bossam, Korean boiled pork wraps, but it was sliced thinner, making it easy to keep reaching for. It had the rich appeal of a flavorful cut like pork jowl, with tender lean meat and a moderate layer of fat in balance. It was moist like bossam, but with far more exotic seasoning and grilled flavor.

The fatty layer around the edge of the plate was grilled a little more, and the nutty aroma that developed as it browned was so good. It was lightly crisp outside and pleasantly chewy inside, so the contrast in texture was fun too. It was the kind of bite that made me reach for Singha beer immediately, and my friend and I enjoyed pointing out the tastiest pieces to each other.

A Thai meal from Kkai 9

Kkai 9 is said to be a Thai restaurant run by a Thai wife and Korean husband. The restaurant name is said to come from a Thai word meaning our home, a chicken, and the number 9, which symbolizes luck and prosperity. The story that they make their own rice-noodle broth and various sauces, and prepare food using methods learned from the Thai mother-in-law, came through naturally in both the atmosphere and the food.

Recent visitor reviews also commonly mention its location near Exit 9 of Euljiro 3-ga Station, the Thai-local-feeling interior, and the table QR ordering system. It seemed to receive consistently positive responses for both convenience and atmosphere.

A Thai restaurant worth stopping by after a Myeongdong walk

It suits a day when you want a different dinner after Myeongdong shopping, an Euljiro date, or Thai food to accompany a beer with colleagues. If you want a genuine Thai atmosphere in Euljiro, do visit Kkai 9 at least once. Going with friends makes choosing dishes fun, and I think you might even get compliments for picking such a tasty restaurant.

Menu and terms

• Moo ping is a Thai grilled skewer dish made with marinated meat.
• Water spinach is a crisp Southeast Asian vegetable, stir-fried with both its stems and leaves.
• Kor moo yang is a Thai dish of marinated grilled pork.
• Umami is a deep, savory flavor that lingers deliciously on the palate.
• The Maillard reaction is the browning that occurs when meat or bread is cooked, creating a nutty aroma.
• A QR code is a square code that lets you use your phone camera to view a menu and place an order.

Things to know before visiting Kkai 9

It is right beside Exit 9 of Euljiro 3-ga Station, so it was easy to find even on my first visit.

Use the QR code at the table to view the menu and order comfortably on your phone.

The sweet-salty moo ping and rich kor moo yang went especially well with Singha beer.

Adding stir-fried water spinach to the meat dishes, moo ping and kor moo yang, creates a satisfying balance of meat and vegetables.

Euljiro has many distinctive restaurants, but Kkai 9 was a place that brought back memories of travel in Thailand from the moment I stepped inside, not only through its food. The route of shopping in Myeongdong, walking around the cathedral, then heading to Euljiro for an exotic meal suited us better than I expected. My intention to revisit is 500%, and my rating is 5 out of 5.