Vintage vibes permeate the streets of Euljiro, a haven for cafes and restaurants, the Hongdae district catering to the tastes of the MZ generation, and the hotspots of Gangnam. Each of these places is a must-visit destination for any travel itinerary.
Today, I’ll introduce some genuine hotspots in Euljiro, Hongdae, and Gangnam. With a whopping 10 recommendations, there’s something for everyone to explore according to their preferences!
1. Torikami(토리카미)
- Address: 21, Chungmu-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-6465-3809
- Business Hours: 16:00 – 23:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Let’s kick it off with ‘Torikami.’ Renowned for its assorted grilled chicken, this place is a hot spot in Euljiro, demanding a wait due to its popularity. The wait is well worth it; the staff grills various chicken parts with care, allowing you to savor the flavors. Dipping the juicy chicken in sauces like wasabi, salt, and ssamjang enhances the experience.
The price for the assorted chicken is 55,000 won for 800g, perfect for three women. If you’re still hungry, you can add extra orders for specific chicken parts. Don’t hesitate to visit if you crave tender and flavorful grilled chicken!
2. Hwayukgye(화육계)
- Address: 21, Eulji-ro 14-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-2268-7740
- Business Hours: 15:00 – 22:00
In Euljiro, ‘Hwayukgye’ is a must-visit, offering spicy chicken feet, chewy pig’s trotters, and rolled omelets as part of a set. Sets are available for 2 to 4 people, and if sets are too much, you can order individual items. The chicken-based menu allows you to choose the spiciness level, and the charcoal grill adds a smoky flavor.
From the chewy pig’s trotters to the vegetable-packed rolled omelet and the flavorful rice ball with flying fish roe, every dish is irresistible. Here’s a tip: ask for ‘mayonnaise’ from the staff. Dipping the chicken feet in mayonnaise not only adds flavor but also helps alleviate the spiciness!
3. Cheongwaok(청와옥)
- Address: 96, Samhaksa-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-422-0550
- Business Hours: 08:00 – 22:00
Let’s kick it off with ‘Torikami.’ Renowned for its assorted grilled chicken, this place is a hot spot in Euljiro, demanding a wait due to its popularity. The wait is well worth it; the staff grills various chicken parts with care, allowing you to savor the flavors. Dipping the juicy chicken in sauces like wasabi, salt, and ssamjang enhances the experience.
The price for the assorted chicken is 55,000 won for 800g, perfect for three women. If you’re still hungry, you can add extra orders for specific chicken parts. Don’t hesitate to visit if you crave tender and flavorful grilled chicken!
4. Cheonjinyounggam(천진영감)
- Address: 26, Bongeunsa-ro 6-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-568-0355
- Business Hours: 12:00 – 23:00 (Break time: 14:00 – 16:00, Closed on Mondays)
Feeling the spicy trend of ma-la (numbing and spicy) flavors in Korea? ‘Cheonjinyounggam’ is the place to go for authentic ma-la hot pot and ma-la xiang guo. The ma-la hot pot is like a Chinese-style army stew with a unique numbing sensation, making it approachable even for beginners. Add the side dish of corn fritters for an amazing combination.
All menu items are customizable in terms of spiciness, so choose according to your preference. As popular as the signature dishes is the refreshing and nutty peanut bingsu (shaved ice dessert), a must-try for dessert!
5. Brick Oven (브릭오븐)
- Address: 31, Gangnam-daero 102-gil, 2F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-508-1325
- Business Hours: 11:30 – 22:30 (Fri-Sat: 11:30 – 23:00)
If you crave pizza and pasta in Gangnam, ‘Brick Oven’ is the place to be. With 20 varieties, including New Yorker, Godfather, Bacon Burger, Trio, and Spicy, you can choose according to your taste. All pizzas are available for half-and-half selection, with an additional cost of 2,000 to 5,000 won for a half-and-half pizza. The New York-style, well-baked, savory American pizza is exceptionally delicious.
The pizza has a light dough, making it feel like eating a taco. Besides pizza, various pasta dishes are also available, with the most popular being the ‘Rose Pasta.’ It’s a thick penne pasta with a well-blended rose sauce. The tomato-infused rose sauce prevents it from being too rich, providing a taste that never gets boring. Also, the carbonated drinks that accompany pizza and pasta are available for unlimited refills, so keep that in mind!
6. Ddeokdoritang(떡도리탕)
- Address: 28-9 Teheran-ro 1-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-501-2940
- Business Hours: 11:30 – 22:30 (Break time: 15:30 – 17:00)
Unlike restaurants with various menus, ‘Ddeokdoritang’ has maintained its fame for almost 30 years with a single menu. The chicken ddeokdoritang, based on the broth of tteokbokki, has its own special secret.
The more you boil the ingredients, the more delicious the dish becomes, with the chicken meat remaining clean and tender without any unpleasant smell. Mixing the soup with potatoes and rice after a long boil creates a delicious combination!
7. Gomesusi(고메스시)
- Address: 26, Teheran-ro 1-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-565-3167
- Business Hours: 11:00 – 22:00 (Break time: 15:30 – 17:00, Closed on Mondays)
For a budget-friendly assorted sushi meal, ‘Gomesusi’ is an excellent choice. For 13,000 won, you get a satisfying meal with 10 pieces of assorted sushi, including salmon, tuna, flatfish, shrimp, and beef, along with mini udon and tempura. Lunch menus are available for 9,500 won, making it a very reasonable option! Don’t worry about the quality being compromised due to the low price. The freshness of the raw fish and the quality of the sushi are well-maintained.
In addition to the sushi, various menu items such as hoe-deopbap (raw fish bibimbap), jangeo-deopbap (eel bibimbap), and salmon-deopbap are available!
8. Kamyaya(카미야)
- Address: 28-6, Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-322-5733
- Business Hours: 11:30 – 21:30
In the Hongdae area, ‘Kamyaya’ is a famous Japanese-style tonkatsu restaurant among students of Hongik University. There’s usually a crowd, and the system involves writing your name at the entrance and waiting for the staff to call it. All ingredients are supplied fresh domestically.
The prices are affordable, allowing you to enjoy tonkatsu and tonkatsu donburi without breaking the bank. One of the most popular menu items is the various donburi dishes. Preserving the crispiness of the fried food while capturing the juiciness of the tonkatsu, these dishes are a must-try.
9. Sanulim 1992(산울림 1992)
- Address: 60, Seogyo-ro 9-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Phone: 02-334-0118
- Business Hours: 17:00 – 24:00 (Fri-Sat: 17:00 – 01:00, Closed on Mondays)
Unlike other restaurants with diverse menus, ‘Sanulim1992’ has maintained its popularity for almost 30 years with a single menu. The cheese potato jeon, where sliced potatoes provide a crunchy texture and the cheese inside replaces the chewiness of the jeon, is a unique and tasty dish. The secret is in the broth made by boiling dried pollack and kelp, enhancing the flavor.
If you’re looking for a traditional place to enjoy various types of alcohol, this is the spot. From the diverse alcohol menu featuring specialties from all eight provinces to snacks, you can have fun pairing and savoring.
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