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Myeongdong Seoul street food stalls and neon-lit shopping street at night01 AREA TABLEMyeongdongCentral stops for easy first meals and late shopping breaks. Restaurants in this area Seongsu Seoul red brick warehouse street with design shops and cafés02 AREA TABLESeongsuCreative streets for a thoughtful meal between independent shops. Restaurants in this area Hongdae and Yeonnam pedestrian street with cafés and young visitors03 AREA TABLEHongdae & YeonnamLively cafés, casual dinners, and a young food scene. Restaurants in this area Gangnam Seoul modern boulevard with high-rise buildings04 AREA TABLEGangnamPolished dining choices that fit a busy day south of the river. Restaurants in this area Gwanghwamun palace gates and modern Seoul city buildings05 AREA TABLEJongno & GwanghwamunClassic streets, palace walks, and warm, timeless tables. Restaurants in this area Euljiro Seoul retro alley with vintage shopfront light at night06 AREA TABLEEuljiro & CheonggyecheonOld lanes, small plates, and atmospheric evening discoveries. Restaurants in this area Bukchon hanok homes and tiled roofs along a quiet Seoul lane07 AREA TABLEBukchon & AngukQuiet corners for a slower lunch between hanok-lined streets. Restaurants in this area Dongdaemun Design Plaza and lively Seoul night scene08 AREA TABLEDongdaemunA practical place to eat well after a long day of wandering. Restaurants in this area Itaewon and Hannam Seoul international restaurant street at dusk09 AREA TABLEItaewon & HannamA relaxed mix of global flavors and Korean neighborhood tables. Restaurants in this area Sungnyemun Gate, also known as Namdaemun, in central Seoul10 AREA TABLENamdaemunMarket energy and dependable local meals in the heart of central Seoul. Restaurants in this area COEX and Samseong Seoul modern convention district with Gangnam Style statue11 AREA TABLECOEX & SamseongEasy meal decisions close to exhibitions, hotels, and shopping. Restaurants in this area Jamsil Seoul landmark tower beside Seokchon Lake12 AREA TABLEJamsilA straightforward place to pause for a meal near the river. Restaurants in this area Yongsan Seoul cultural district park path and contemporary cityscape13 AREA TABLEYongsanA connected area where markets and new tables meet. Restaurants in this area Apgujeong and Cheongdam tree-lined fashion and café street14 AREA TABLEApgujeong & CheongdamStylish streets and carefully considered lunch or dinner stops. Restaurants in this area Seoul city view representing additional neighborhood restaurant guides15 AREA TABLEOther AreasRestaurant guides for Seoul neighborhoods beyond the area cards above. Restaurants in this area

SEOUL / HONGDAE & YEONNAM

Restaurants in
Hongdae & Yeonnam.

These restaurant guides belong to the area you selected. Choose one to see what to order and how to get there.

01 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamSundaegukbap

Gukil Sundaeguk

Gukil Sundaeguk is a straightforward neighborhood restaurant in Seogyo-dong, within walking distance of Hongdae. The menu is intentionally small, centered on Sundaeguk, a hot Korean pork soup served with rice, with suyuk and sulguk available when you want something more substantial. A regular bowl is currently around ₩10,000, making it an accessible way to try a traditional Korean gukbap meal without committing to an expensive restaurant. The restaurant has a practical, local character rather than a polished tourist-dining atmosphere. Its weekday-only schedule is also notable in busy Hongdae, suggesting that its customer base has traditionally included nearby workers and residents. It became more widely known after appearing on Sung Si-kyung's “Mukbang Ten”, but the appeal of the restaurant is still its simple bowl of gukbap, generous toppings, and everyday neighborhood setting.

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02 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamHaejangguk

Durumi Haejangjip

Durumi Haejanggip is a Korean neighborhood restaurant in Seogyo-dong, between Hongdae and Hapjeong. Despite its name, the restaurant is more than a simple hangover-soup spot. Its lunch menu includes Haejangguk at ₩12,000, while the broader menu moves into beef-based dishes, yukhoe, suyuk and hot pots. In the evening, gopchang-jeongol (beef tripe hot pot) and suyuk-jeongol make the restaurant work equally well as a casual Korean drinking spot. The atmosphere is closer to a comfortable Korean neighborhood restaurant than a polished tourist restaurant. Recent visitor accounts describe a busy lunch service and a casual, old-school feel, while the location is convenient for travelers moving between Hongdae, Hapjeong and Yeonnam. It is particularly useful for visitors who want to experience a Korean meal that changes character from a bowl of soup at lunch to shared food and drinks in the evening.

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03 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamBudaejjigae

Uijeongbu Budaejjigae

Uijeongbu Budaejjigae is a straightforward Korean stew restaurant in Seogyo-dong, on the western side of the Hongdae area. Its menu is focused almost entirely on Budaejjigae, a bubbling Korean stew made with ham, sausage, vegetables and other ingredients in a savory, slightly spicy broth. The current price is ₩13,000 per serving, with ham, sausage, noodles, glass noodles and rice cake available as additional toppings. The restaurant's appeal is less about polished presentation and more about the way the stew is prepared and served. Recent reviews repeatedly mention the generous ingredients, abundant glass noodles and the owner actively checking the pot and adding broth at the right time. It is the kind of place where you can simply sit back while the stew is brought to the right stage for eating.

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04 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamJjageuri (Pork Stew)

Bapjangin Pork Stew Hongdae

Bapjangin Pork Stew is a casual Korean restaurant close to Hongik University Station, specializing in hearty jjigae-style meals served with rice. The menu includes Jjageuri (Pork Stew), pork kimchi jjigae, sundubu-based stews and several set meals. The current Jjageuri and pork kimchi jjigae are ₩11,000, making the restaurant an accessible option for a simple Korean meal around Hongdae. The restaurant is particularly practical for travelers because it works for both solo dining and small groups. Its menu is built around individual portions and combination sets, rather than requiring a large shared order. The location is also very close to Hongik University Station, making it an easy stop while exploring Hongdae or the nearby Yeonnam-dong area.

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05 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamBone Kalguksu

Pyeongidambaek Bone Kalguksu

Pyeongidambaek Bone Kalguksu is a Korean noodle restaurant in Seogyo-dong, between Mangwon and Hapjeong. Its signature dish is Bone Kalguksu, an unusual combination of handmade-style knife-cut noodles, a clear savory broth and large pieces of pork neck bone. The restaurant's official story traces the dish back to a pork-neck-bone soup made by the mother of its Italian-trained head chef, before the concept developed into the restaurant brand it is today. The menu is deliberately focused rather than enormous. Along with Bone Kalguksu, Bibim Kalguksu is another important choice, with chewy noodles coated in a sweet-spicy sauce, while Bone Soup with Rice provides an option for travelers who prefer rice to noodles. The simple menu makes the restaurant relatively easy to navigate for a first-time visitor.

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06 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamSsam-bap

Nokwon Ssambap Yeonnam

Nokwon Ssambap is a casual Korean restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, near the Hongdae area, specializing in ssambap — rice and savory dishes wrapped in fresh leafy vegetables. Its signature Nokwon Ssambap combines spicy stir-fried pork, squid and mushrooms, served with a variety of fresh greens. The current listed price is ₩18,000 per person, while the Bossam Set is also ₩18,000. The restaurant's main attraction is not simply the stir-fried meat, but the way the meal is eaten. Diners can choose from a wide selection of fresh vegetables and make their own wraps with rice, meat or seafood and side dishes. Reviews repeatedly mention the freshness and variety of the greens, as well as the clean presentation of the food. This makes the restaurant particularly useful for foreign visitors who want to experience an everyday Korean way of eating rather than simply ordering a single Korean dish.

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07 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamGaksi Bossam Set Meal

Gaksi Bossam Hapjeong

Gaksi Bossam is a long-running bossam restaurant near Hapjeong Station, in the Hapjeong area of Mapo-gu. Its main specialty is bossam, Korean boiled pork served with kimchi, vegetables and other side dishes. The restaurant also offers an affordable single-serving Gaksi Set Meal, which includes bossam, side dishes and a stew. The current listed price is ₩11,000, making it one of the more accessible ways to experience bossam without ordering a large sharing platter. For visitors, the restaurant offers two different ways to experience Korean bossam. A solo diner or someone looking for a simple Korean meal can order the Gaksi Set Meal, while groups can order larger bossam platters such as kimchi bossam, cabbage bossam or half-and-half bossam. The restaurant is known for its generous side-dish spread and busy atmosphere, and it can become crowded during lunch and dinner.

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08 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamJokbal

Masan Jokbal

Masan Jokbal is a long-running jokbal restaurant on World Cup buk-ro in Seogyo-dong, close to the Hongdae area. The restaurant has been serving its signature jokbal for decades and became widely known after appearing on the Korean food program Wednesday Food Talk. It is known for a relatively traditional style of jokbal, using pork front leg and emphasizing the natural flavor and chewy texture of the meat and skin rather than a strongly seasoned or heavily glazed style. The menu is unusually simple: jokbal, ttaro-gukbap and buchu-jeon. This makes the restaurant feel more like a focused neighborhood institution than a large modern jokbal chain.

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09 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamFried Jokbal Set

Yeonnam Jokbal 1987

Yeonnam Jokbal 1987 is a casual jokbal restaurant located on Donggyo-ro in Yeonnam-dong, close to Hongdae and the Gyeongui Line Forest Park area. Unlike traditional jokbal restaurants that focus primarily on boiled pork feet, this restaurant is particularly known for its fried jokbal, giving the familiar Korean dish a crispier and more contemporary style. The restaurant also serves several variations including garlic, spicy and cold jokbal. The restaurant's menu is designed mainly for sharing. The current listed prices include Yeonnam Jokbal at ₩34,000, garlic jokbal at ₩37,000, spicy jokbal at ₩36,000 and cold jokbal at ₩38,000. Two-color and four-color jokbal sets are also available, as well as combinations with cold buckwheat noodles. Since these are generally sharing portions rather than individual meals, the restaurant remains within Eat in Korea's ₩40,000-per-person exclusion rule when the cost is divided among two or more diners.

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010 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamTulleogi Sujebi / Jjukkumi Jeongsik

Jumak

Jumak is a Korean home-style restaurant in Yeonnam-dong that focuses on simple, hearty dishes rather than the modern fusion food often associated with the neighborhood. Its menu centers on barley rice, Tulleogi Sujebi, spicy stir-fried baby octopus and grilled pollock, with several dishes available as two-person sets. The restaurant is especially known for Tulleogi Sujebi, a rustic Korean soup-and-dough dish made with a soybean-paste-based broth, vegetables and hand-torn pieces of sujebi. The restaurant was also featured on the Korean TV food program Tasty Guys. The current menu is relatively accessible for a Korean meal in the Hongdae–Yeonnam area. Barley rice is listed at ₩10,000, Tulleogi Sujebi at ₩24,000 for two people, Jjukkumi Jeongsik at ₩22,000 for two, and grilled pollock at ₩22,000. The portions are frequently described as generous, making this more of a neighborhood Korean meal restaurant than a destination for elaborate dining.

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011 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamYeonnam Mulgalbi

Yeonnam Mulgalbi Hongdae

Yeonnam Mulgalbi Hongdae Main Branch specializes in mulgalbi, a Korean beef dish served in a spicy broth rather than as a dry grilled barbecue. Thinly sliced beef is placed over vegetables and ribs in a large pot, then cooked at the table much like a Korean-style hot pot or shabu-shabu. The restaurant offers three levels of spiciness, with Level 1 described as roughly similar to Shin Ramyun and Level 2 closer to Buldak-style heat. The signature Yeonnam Mulgalbi starts at ₩42,000 for a sharing portion, with larger sizes available for groups. Gopchang Mulgalbi starts at ₩50,000 and combines beef, ribs and intestines in the spicy broth. The restaurant also serves Yeonnam Bulgogi, grilled beef dishes and side dishes such as yukjeon. Since the main dishes are designed for two or more people to share, the listed dish price should not be interpreted as a per-person cost.

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012 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamBeef Gangdoenjang Ssambap

Jincheong Yujeom

Jincheongyujeom is a contemporary Korean restaurant in Yeonnam-dong with an unusual connection to a traditional Korean oil mill. The restaurant makes its own sesame oil and perilla oil, using them throughout the menu. Rather than focusing on heavy or highly seasoned dishes, the menu highlights the aroma of freshly pressed oils through dishes such as perilla oil makguksu, beef gangdoenjang ssambap and seasonal bibimbap. The menu combines familiar Korean dishes with more creative combinations. You can order a simple one-person meal such as ssambap, bibimbap or yangji-gomtang, or try dishes such as grilled mackerel with fernbrake risotto and yukhoe with seaweed rice rolls. Most individual dishes are in the ₩10,000–₩20,000 range, making it relatively accessible for a meal in the Yeonnam-dong area.

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013 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamBeef Brisket Hot Pot with Stone-Pot Rice

Umuljip Hongdae

Umuljip is a Korean restaurant near Hongdae specializing in hot pots served with freshly cooked stone-pot rice. The main dishes combine beef brisket or beef belly with vegetables in a hot broth or sauce, served as an individual set with a pot of freshly cooked rice. The menu includes clear vegetable broth, sweet soy sauce broth and a spicy tomato version, as well as premium Hanwoo beef options. The restaurant is spread across four floors and is designed around the concept of a traditional Korean well. Many tables are separated into private or semi-private rooms, creating a quieter and more secluded dining experience than the typical busy Hongdae restaurant. The individual hot-pot-and-rice sets cost ₩27,500 for beef brisket and ₩29,500 for Hanwoo brisket.

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014 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamGrilled Eel

Pungcheon Jangeo Yeonnam

Pungcheon Jangeo is a long-running eel restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, known for large freshwater eels grilled over charcoal. The eel is cooked at the table, with staff helping to grill and cut it into bite-sized pieces. The restaurant keeps the menu focused: grilled eel is the main attraction, with noodles available as a lighter way to finish the meal. Recent listings show one eel at ₩37,000 and two at ₩74,000. The restaurant has a distinctly Korean barbecue-style dining experience, but the main ingredient is freshwater eel rather than pork or beef. Basic side dishes include seasoned chives, pickled perilla leaves, kimchi, onion, garlic, ginger and dipping sauces. The eel can be eaten with the sauce and ginger, or wrapped in lettuce and perilla leaves with vegetables.

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015 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamOriginal Chicken

Cheolin 7ho Chicken Hongdae

Cheolin 7ho is a Korean fried-chicken restaurant known for its signature chicken made with a 48-hour low-temperature aging process. The original chicken has a relatively thin coating, giving it a lighter, crisp texture than heavily battered fried chicken. The restaurant also offers several sauces and seasonings, including soy sauce, spicy soy, garlic, curry and spicy flavors. The Hongdae branch is located near Sangsu Station and operates mainly from the late afternoon into the early morning. It is geared toward casual evening dining and drinking, with combination menus designed for sharing. The three-flavor set is particularly useful if you want to try several Korean fried-chicken flavors in one order.

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016 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamOriginal Princeton Fried Chicken

Outdark Hongdae

Outdark Hongdae is a Korean fried-chicken restaurant known for serving fried chicken with a generous amount of fries and fried rice cakes on the side. The Original Princeton Fried Chicken is one of the main menu items, while soy sauce, garlic, spicy and seasoned versions offer different flavor profiles. Current listings show the chicken using 100% domestic chilled chicken thigh meat. The restaurant is located close to Sangsu Station and operates into the early morning on Fridays and Saturdays. It is designed more for casual evening dining and drinking than for a quick takeaway meal. The combination of chicken, fries, fried rice cakes and dipping sauces makes it particularly suited to sharing with friends over beer.

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017 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamMapsheulang Chicken

Jadam Chicken Seoul Hongdae

Jadam Chicken Seoul Hongdae is a Korean fried-chicken restaurant serving both classic fried chicken and strongly seasoned varieties. Its best-known menu includes Mapsheulang Chicken, which combines a creamy mayonnaise-style sauce with Cheongyang chili peppers for a sweet, creamy and noticeably spicy flavor. The restaurant also offers Hot Fried Chicken, black-garlic-based Mapssoikick Chicken and seasoning-style Ppusheulang Chicken. The Hongdae branch is a relatively compact neighborhood shop on Wausan-ro, with both takeaway and some dine-in seating. It is particularly convenient for visitors staying around Hongdae who want to try Korean fried chicken without going to a large pub-style restaurant. Current local listings show the branch operating from around 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and identify Wednesday as the regular closing day in some recent listings, although the current business listing shows daily opening hours, so checking before visiting is advisable.

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018 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamGoobne Original / Gochu Basasak

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road

Goobne Chicken is different from conventional Korean fried chicken because the chicken is oven-baked rather than deep-fried. This produces a lighter, less oily style of chicken with a roasted flavor. The Hongdae Red Road branch offers Goobne's major menu items, including Original, Gochu Basasak, Volcano and Galbi Cheonwang. Current listings show the Original at ₩20,900 and several signature flavors at ₩22,900. Located on Jandari-ro 2-gil near Hongdae's busy nightlife area, the branch operates until 3 a.m., making it suitable for a late-night chicken-and-beer stop. The menu is familiar to Korean diners but offers a useful alternative for visitors who find deep-fried chicken too heavy.

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019 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamDP Original Chicken / DP Hot Crispy Chicken

Double Play Chicken Donggyo Main Branch

Double Play Chicken is a Korean fried-chicken restaurant built around a sports-pub concept. Its biggest attraction is not just the chicken but the large number of screens showing live sports, particularly Korean professional baseball. The Hongdae location is designed so that customers can watch games from multiple parts of the dining area, making it a popular meeting place for baseball fans. The menu focuses on familiar Korean chicken styles, including Original, Hot Original, Mild Crispy, Hot Crispy and seasoned chicken. Tteokbokki and other pub-style dishes are also available, and combination sets make it easy to share several items. The restaurant is particularly suited to an evening with beer, chicken and a live game rather than a quiet meal.

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020 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamDP Original Chicken / DP Hot Crispy Chicken

Double Play Chicken Hongdae No. 2

Double Play Chicken Hongdae No. 2 is a Korean fried-chicken pub with a strong sports-bar identity. The restaurant has multiple TVs positioned around the room, allowing customers to follow Korean professional baseball games while eating chicken and drinking beer. During the 2026 WBC, visitors reported that five games could be shown simultaneously, while regular KBO games are also a major part of the restaurant's atmosphere. The menu covers familiar Korean chicken styles, including Original, Hot Original, Mild Crispy, Hot Crispy, seasoned chicken and several boneless options. Tteokbokki, potato dishes and other pub food are also available. Current listings show individual chicken dishes at around ₩16,900–₩19,900, with combination sets available for groups.

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021 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamBump of Chicken / Red Hot Chili Peppers

Chicken in the Kitchen

Chicken in the Kitchen is a long-running independent chicken restaurant in the Hongdae area, known for crispy fried chicken and a more neighborhood-style atmosphere than the large Korean fried-chicken franchises. The menu includes classic fried chicken, garlic-soy chicken, spicy sweet chicken and cheese-topped chicken. The restaurant also offers a vegan chicken made with mushrooms and plant-based protein, giving it an unusual option for visitors who do not eat meat. The signature Bump of Chicken is a straightforward crispy fried chicken, while Red Hot Chili Peppers has a sweet-and-spicy Korean-style sauce. Garlic Soy is another popular choice, especially for visitors who want something savory rather than very spicy. Current listed prices are around ₩18,500 for the vegan chicken and ₩26,000 for the main chicken dishes.

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022 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamHan-don Galbi Samgyeopsal / Han-don Meat Platter

Yukmong Hongdae Main

Yukmong is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Hongdae Entrance Station specializing in aged pork, while also offering a selection of beef. Its main pork dishes include thick-cut galbi samgyeopsal, snowflake pork neck, and pork skirt steak. The meat is prepared with an aging process and is generally grilled by staff, making it relatively easy for visitors who are unfamiliar with Korean BBQ. The restaurant occupies three floors and has both indoor seating and terrace-style areas that can feel like a casual Korean yajang (outdoor dining) experience. Prices are above those of a typical neighborhood pork BBQ restaurant, but individual pork cuts remain within a mid-range restaurant budget. The Han-don meat platter is designed for sharing and combines several pork cuts in one order.

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023 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamJeju Special Set / Jeju Pork BBQ

Jeju Special House Hongdae

Jeju Special House is a Korean BBQ restaurant specializing in aged Jeju pork. The restaurant says its pork is aged for more than 240 hours before being grilled over charcoal. Its signature Jeju Special Set (500g) combines several cuts, including pork jowl, neck-side meat, pork cheek, pork belly and other specialty cuts, making it a convenient way to compare different textures in one meal. The restaurant is located about an 8-minute walk from Hongik University Station and stays open until 3 a.m., making it particularly suitable for late-night meals around Hongdae. Staff grill the meat for guests, and the menu is available in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. The restaurant has no dedicated parking, so public transportation is the practical choice.

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024 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamJeju Black Pork Charcoal Bulgogi Set for Lunch

Doma Hongdae Main

Doma Hongdae is a long-running Korean BBQ restaurant near Hongdae known for its Jeju Black Pork Charcoal Bulgogi Set for Lunch. The lunch set features thinly sliced Jeju black pork grilled over charcoal, served with rice, soup, and Korean side dishes. The charcoal grilling gives the pork a smoky flavor, while the set-style meal makes it an easy option for visitors who want to experience a traditional Korean grilled-meat lunch without ordering a large BBQ platter. In the evening, Doma shifts toward a more typical Korean BBQ experience, with charcoal-grilled beef cuts and combination platters such as Doma Combo A and B. This makes the restaurant somewhat different depending on the time of day: the lunch menu is a relatively straightforward and affordable set meal, while dinner is more suited to sharing several grilled meat cuts. The restaurant is within walking distance of Hongik University Station and provides menus in English, Japanese, and Chinese.

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025 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamIcheon Pork Assortmen

Gitteul Hongdae Main

Gitteul is a Korean barbecue restaurant between Hongdae and Hapjeong that focuses on high-quality pork from Icheon. Its main order is the Icheon Pork Assortment, combining pork belly and pork neck, while smaller portions and special cuts such as Gitteul-sal are also available. The restaurant's defining feature is its grilling service: staff pre-grill and finish the meat for diners, making it easier to enjoy the meat without constantly managing the grill yourself. The restaurant sits slightly away from Hongdae's busiest streets and has a more polished atmosphere than a typical neighborhood samgyeopsal restaurant. Recent visitor posts repeatedly mention the quality of the pork, carefully prepared side dishes, and the staff's grilling technique. It is not a budget barbecue option—the 500g assortment is ₩56,000—but the portion is designed for sharing, so the price becomes more moderate when split between two people.

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026 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamCheese Fondue Dakgalbi

Shin Mi-kyung Hongdae Dakgalbi

Shin Mi-kyung Hongdae Dakgalbi is a long-running dakgalbi restaurant near Hongik University, known for its large cast-iron grill and spicy stir-fried chicken served with vegetables, rice cakes and other toppings. The restaurant's best-known option is the Cheese Fondue Dakgalbi, combining the spicy chicken with both mozzarella and cheddar cheese. A regular Vegetable Dakgalbi is also available for diners who want the more traditional version without cheese. The restaurant says it has been serving dakgalbi in Hongdae since 1996. The meal is designed more as a shared Korean table experience than a simple individual dish. Recent visitors frequently add noodles or other toppings and finish with fried rice after eating the chicken. Prices are relatively accessible for Hongdae, at around ₩14,000 per person for Vegetable Dakgalbi and ₩16,000 for the cheese version. The restaurant is particularly familiar with international visitors, with recent reviews repeatedly mentioning foreign customers.

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027 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamDakgalbi

Woori Dakgalbi

Woori Dakgalbi is a small, old-school dakgalbi restaurant just off Hongdae's main pedestrian area. Unlike newer dakgalbi restaurants that focus on cheese, elaborate toppings, or large specialty combinations, Woori keeps things simple: chicken, cabbage, rice cakes and green onions cooked on a large iron griddle. The basic Dakgalbi is currently ₩12,000 per serving, with noodles, cheese and other toppings available as inexpensive additions. The restaurant's appeal is its straightforward, neighborhood-style character and low price rather than presentation. Recent reviews repeatedly describe the seasoning as relatively mild and balanced rather than aggressively spicy, while udon noodles and fried rice are frequently added to the meal. The compact dining room and long-running local reputation give it a noticeably different feel from the larger, more tourist-oriented restaurants around Hongdae.

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028 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamInstant Tteokbokki

Ttobogetji Tteokbokki Bungbung Honeybee

Ttobogetji Tteokbokki Bungbung Honeybee is an instant tteokbokki restaurant near Hongik University Station. The basic pot comes with rice cakes, fish cakes, ramen, jjolmyeon noodles and vegetables such as cabbage, green onion and perilla leaves. Rather than offering a single prepared portion, the restaurant serves a shared pan that diners cook and finish together at the table. Current menu information lists ₩15,000 for two servings, ₩21,000 for three and ₩26,000 for four. The restaurant is particularly known for its Butter Garlic Fries, which are frequently ordered alongside the tteokbokki. Fried rice is another common final course, with caviar, sausage and other combinations available. Recent visitor posts repeatedly mention waiting even shortly after opening, while the compact interior has a playful, character-filled atmosphere rather than a polished restaurant design.

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029 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamHongdae Mulgalbi

Hongdae Mulgalbi Main

Hongdae Mulgalbi is a Korean-style beef hot pot built around short ribs and thinly sliced beef simmered in a spicy broth with vegetables. The restaurant describes its signature dish as a combination of beef short ribs, shabu-style beef neck, water parsley and bean sprouts cooked together in a special spicy broth. The result is somewhere between Korean barbecue, bulgogi and a hot pot: the meat and vegetables are cooked directly at the table and eaten with the broth. The signature starts at ₩16,000 per person and requires at least two servings. The restaurant also offers a Rose Mulgalbi version and a milder beef bulgogi cooked with vegetables in a bonito-based broth. Recent visitor content describes the signature mulgalbi as spicy, savory and fairly concentrated, making it particularly suitable as a shared meal with drinks. The restaurant is on Hongik-ro, close to the main Hongdae area, and is also used for lunch as well as dinner.

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030 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamMarinated Skirt Steak (Toshi Jumulleok)

Woojujip Hongdae Main

Woojujip is a Korean barbecue restaurant near Hongik University Station specializing in beef cuts, with Toshi Jumulleok as its most distinctive menu. The dish uses skirt steak marinated in a lightly sweet and savory sauce, while unseasoned skirt steak and fresh beef short rib are also available. Current menu information lists Toshi Jumulleok at ₩26,000 for 170g, skirt steak at ₩25,000 for 150g, and fresh short rib at ₩22,000 for 150g. One of the restaurant's notable features is that the staff grill the meat for diners. Recent visitors also repeatedly mention the range of dipping salts and sauces, including a savory dried-pollack salt that works particularly well with the beef. This makes Woojujip less about large combination platters and more about trying a few individual cuts with different seasonings.

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031 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamAssorted Gopchang

Gangsu Gobchang

Gangsu Gobchang is a long-running Hongdae-style Korean offal restaurant specializing in grilled beef intestines and other beef cuts. Its menu includes assorted gopchang with gopchang, makchang, daechang and yeomtong, as well as individual cuts such as al gopchang, Hanwoo daechang and special yang. The current menu lists the small assorted platter at ₩38,000 for about two servings, making it a relatively accessible way to try several cuts together. The restaurant sits slightly away from the busiest Hongdae streets and has outdoor terrace seating, giving it a casual Korean ya-jang atmosphere in good weather. Recent visitors particularly mention the clean-tasting gopchang, friendly service and terrace seating. Older and newer food posts both show that the restaurant has maintained a focus on beef offal rather than shifting toward a broader Korean barbecue menu.

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032 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamVegetable Gopchang

Dori Gopchang Hapjeong Main

Dori Gopchang is a casual Hongdae–Hapjeong restaurant built around Korean-style pork gopchang dishes. Its menu goes beyond the typical vegetable gopchang found around university areas, offering vegetable gopchang with glass noodles, pork gopchang hot pot, assorted hot pot, charcoal-grilled al gopchang and makchang. The vegetable gopchang is ₩14,900 for 250g including glass noodles, while the pork gopchang hot pot starts at ₩32,000 for a medium portion. The restaurant has a noticeably cleaner and brighter interior than the old-fashioned image often associated with gopchang restaurants. Recent visitors mention clean surroundings, generous portions and a comfortable atmosphere, while the menu also includes affordable soup meals such as sundae-gukbap and pork-gukbap at ₩10,000. This makes Dori Gopchang usable not only as a drinking spot but also as a casual lunch or dinner restaurant.

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033 LOCAL TABLE
Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamAssorted Sashimi

Hongdae Sujokgwan

Hongdae Sujokgwan is a casual Korean sashimi restaurant on a side street near Hongik University. Rather than presenting itself as a specialized sushi or omakase restaurant, it follows the familiar Korean neighborhood sashimi-house format: fresh sliced fish, simple side dishes, drinks and a choice of seafood dishes. The current menu includes assorted sashimi, halibut, salmon, seasonal yellowtail, abalone, live octopus, mulhoe and seafood hot pots. The restaurant is particularly relevant during the winter yellowtail season. Recent visitor content shows diners ordering yellowtail and salmon together, with the yellowtail receiving more attention because of its rich, fatty texture during peak season. The restaurant is also relatively spacious for a Hongdae neighborhood sashimi restaurant, making it suitable for small groups and casual drinking rather than only a quick meal.

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Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamGanjjajang

Hwanshiang

Hwanshiang is a neighborhood Chinese restaurant on the second floor near Sangsu Station, just outside the busiest part of Hongdae. It serves the familiar Korean-Chinese restaurant staples—jajangmyeon, ganjjajang, jjamppong, fried rice and tangsuyuk—but also offers a broader selection of Chinese dishes and set menus for groups. Current menu information lists ganjjajang at ₩9,000, jjamppong at ₩9,000 and small tangsuyuk at ₩16,000. The restaurant is run by an experienced chef and is described in recent local posts as a relatively spacious, clean neighborhood restaurant suitable for both lunch and dinner. Set menus are designed for two or three people, making it possible to share several dishes without moving into the price range of more formal Chinese restaurants.

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Seoul · Hongdae & YeonnamGanjjajang / Jjamppong

KAIHWA

Kai 火 is a neighborhood Korean-Chinese restaurant on the second floor of a building near Sangsu Station. The menu covers familiar Korean-Chinese dishes such as jajangmyeon, ganjjajang, jjamppong, fried rice and tangsuyuk, while also offering dishes such as yuringi, kungpunggi, palbochae and seafood dishes. Its prices remain relatively accessible, with noodles starting at around ₩7,000 and several shared dishes in the ₩20,000 range. The restaurant is also known for its weekday daily sets, which combine a noodle or rice dish with additional dishes at a relatively low price. What makes Kai 火 more interesting than a standard neighborhood Chinese restaurant is the emphasis on cooking dishes to order. Recent local reviews repeatedly mention the jjamppong and samseon ganjjajang, while the restaurant's daily sets have long been popular with nearby workers and students. The trade-off is speed: several reviews note that dishes can take 20 minutes or considerably longer during busy periods, particularly at weekend lunch.

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