In May 2017, the Golden Week holiday that everyone has been waiting for begins. Those who have already completed their preparations for the trip may look forward to the day they leave with excitement, but those who were unable to prepare a flight ticket in advance due to soaring expenses have no choice but to leave their eyes behind and close their eyes with regret. So this time, we've prepared restaurants around the world for those left behind in Seoul. Enjoy the feeling of traveling with Hong Kong's breakfast menu, Japanese home-cooked meals, and local Thai rice noodles without having to go far.
1. Hong Kong-style dessert cafe, 'Afternoon Hong Kong'
A small cafe with an exterior and lighting where you can feel the unique atmosphere of Hong Kong. The pineapple bun that Hong Kong people often eat for breakfast (not actually containing pineapples) is the signature dish of Hong Kong in the afternoon. “Poropao†is produced every day using a recipe the owner learned locally, and has an excellent soft texture and sweet flavor. “Poro Yau,†which contains salty salted butter between poro pao, is also popular.
â–²Location: 29, Heukseok-ro 13ga-gil, Dongjak-gu â–²Opening hours: 10:00 to 22:00 every day â–²Price: Poroyau 2,500 won, milk tea 4,000 won â–²Review (Chacha, the god of food): I saw it on Instagram and it seemed very popular~ The coffee was cheap and Poroyau was delicious, so it was nice!
2. “Hakata September,†the essence of kaiseki cuisine
A Japanese restaurant run by a chef from Nakamura Academy, a famous Japanese cooking school, focusing on “kaiseki cuisine,†which has been prepared for entertainment and banquets since the Edo period. Every month, a dinner course is composed of dishes that give a sense of the season using seasonal ingredients. Lunch is a Japanese home-cooked meal served on a single plate, and each day a slightly different menu is prepared. Sake and beer are also available, so it's a great place to enjoy a light drink with your meal.
â–²Location: 24, Apgujeong-ro 34-gil, Gangnam-gu â–²Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 12:00 to 23:00 (break time 14:00 to 18:00), closed on Sundays â–²Price: (Lunch) Japanese home-cooked meal 12,000 won, (dinner) Kaiseki course 100,000 won â–²Review (Shikigin Rei): I'm excited to see what kind of menu they will present next month by changing the menu with a kaiseki concept hehe
3. “Mignon,†a casual brunch cafe
It is a small space located in front of ancient times and sells brunch made by the owner every day. The signature menu is “scrambled egg,†which is sourdough bread served with scrambled eggs, ham, hash brown, and salad, and “cheese french toast†made from moist brioche. “Egg in Hell,†which can often be found on today's menu, is great to enjoy with sangriana or house wine. It's a two-week vacation starting May 3rd, so be sure to check it out when you visit.
â–²Location: 14, Anam-ro 24-gil, Dongdaemun-gu â–²Business hours: Weekdays 10:30 to 20:00 (break time 15:00 to 17:00), Sunday 11:00 to 15:00, closed on Saturdays â–²Price: Pesto Penne 7,000 won, French toast 8,500 won â–²Review (Shikigin Office Snow White): It's hard to find such a cute and tasty brunch cafe in front of ancient times, but it's great!
4. 'Soi Yeonnam', the local taste and atmosphere of Thailand
A Thai restaurant specializing in only 5 types of dishes: beef rice noodles, poppy, som tam, beef gukbap, and beef pork. The signature menu is “beef noodles,†which are soaked in a rich broth and then dried to add chewiness, crunchy bean sprouts, and softly boiled arongsashi. The flavor of the soup made by thickly stewing beef bones and radish and adding flavor with various spices is excellent. The Thai-style salad “Som Tam†made from crushed green papaya is also popular.
â–²Location: 267 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu â–²Business hours: 11:30 to 22:00 every day (break time 15:00 to 17:00), closed during holidays â–²Price range: Beef noodles 8,500 won, steam sweat 12,000 won â–²Review (Food pudding talk): A rice noodle shop to enjoy with friends because of the flavor of the soup. The flavor is so strong that the rich aroma of the rice noodle broth comes out at the entrance!! If you close your eyes and enjoy it, it also creates the impression that you went on a free trip to Thailand lol
5. South African lamb barbecue, 'Bray Republic'
A place where you can enjoy wild-style barbecuing lamb ribs and South African home-cooked meals presented by an owner from South Africa. The signature menu is the “meat platter,†which consists of coleslaw, spinach, mashed potatoes, sausage, and lamb ribs. The texture of the lamb ribs, which look slightly burnt on the outside but are medium rare, is moist on the inside, and has an excellent texture. “Lamb pie,†where you can enjoy the crispness of the pie and the soft flavor of lamb at the same time, is also popular.
â–²Location: 19, Itaewon-ro 14-gil, Yongsan-gu â–²Business hours: 17:00 to 22:00 on weekdays, 12:00 to 23:00 on weekends, all year round â–²Price range: Meat platter 33,000 won, lamb pie 12,000 won â–²Testimonial (shikigin ogul): This is the first time I've eaten lamb, and it's tender and delicious. It was nice that the South African restaurant was unusual and had a unique atmosphere~~LOL