“Light Western food (light Western food)†means light Western cuisine because Western food is made simply. It was invented during the Meiji period in Japan by unraveling Western cuisine in a local style. It is called “Japanese style food†in Japan, and it came into the country during the period of Japanese domination and spread widely under the name Kyungyo-sik. It is also a symbol representing Korean food culture in the 1970s and 80s, with the main menu items such as pork cutlet made thinly by tapping the meat flat with a hammer, omelette with sweet and sour demiglace sauce, and hamburger steak. Recently, with the retro craze, Japanese style restaurants are once again at the center of fashion. Equipped with luxurious wooden interiors, colorful chandeliers, and even memorable classical music, it brings memories and nostalgia to the older generation and a fresh and new experience for the younger generation.
Gyeong-sik restaurants include Hongdae Sang-su Yoon Si-mil Bang, Ikseon-dong Kyungyangsik 1920, Chungmuro Grill Demiglas, Apgujeong Marks, Insadong Gwanhoon Mansion, Suyu Darae Hamboxtech, Sharosu-gil Kissa Seoul, Yeonnam-dong Gyeongyang Katsu, Hakdong Station Heya, Itaewon Maruku Restaurant, Seongbuk-dong Geumwang Tonkatsu, Mangwon Ray Restaurant, Garosu-gil Modan Girl Reception Room, Mokdong Home Yale Gyeongyang, Yeonhui-dong Rosalong, City Hall, City Hall Idae V Kyungyeong Style, Jamsil Aurora Kyung Style, Myeongdong Jin Kak, Kyung Hee University Jang Anjeong, Hongdae The450, Junho Kitchen, Samo Nim Tonkatsu, Jeong Kwang-soo's Tonkatsu Shop, Seongsu Yoon Kyungyang Restaurant, Incheon Songdo Songdo International Kyungsik, Dongincheon England King Tonkatsu, Ilsan Bambino Gyeongsik, Cheonan Radio Salon, Busan Gwangbok-dong Mihwadang, Busan Sinchang-dong Gwangbok Kyung Style, Busan Jeonpo-dong Bak, Busan Chorang Swan Buk, Anpo-sik Yang Evergreen, Daegu Tokyo Dining, and Pangyo Master Kitchen are famous. Japanese food franchises include Gooseul Hambak, Kyungsung Hamburg, Corea Kyungsik, Minbuck, and Momo Steak. Let's meet the 5 best new Korean food restaurants in Seoul that bring back memories.
1. Enjoy luxurious Japanese cuisine, Apgujeong 'Marks'
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Image source: sunyoung.1219's Instagram
Image source: jungminy5's Instagram
“Marks†is a Japanese style lounge where you can enjoy a Japanese style meal menu and wine together. When ordering food, butter-flavored morning bread and hot mushroom soup are served. The signature menu is “omelette,†which is beef fried rice stir-fried with homemade ketchup and topped with egg batter. The rich umami of the signature sauce sprinkled on top of the egg blends harmoniously with the savory flavor of the egg. “Hamburg steak,†which is a hamburger steak made by hand kneading and kneading at the store and flavored with demiglace sauce, is also a popular menu. At the same time as ordering, freshly prepared kamameshi is served with it, so you can have a richer meal.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 6, Eonju-ro 168-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
â–²Business hours: Monday-Saturday 11:00-22:00, B/T (Monday-Saturday) 15:00-18:00, Sunday 11:00-17:00
â–²Price: Omurice 24,000 won, hamburger steak 28,000 won
â–²Testimonial (braving): I visited with my parents, and they were both satisfied with the delicious taste and atmosphere. ^^ I ate the most popular omelette, and it went well with the fried rice in the egg bag and sauce!
2. Eye-catching yellow visuals, Sharosu-gil 'Kisa Seoul'
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Image source: kissa.seoul's Instagram
Image source: kissa.seoul's Instagram
“KISSA SEOUL†aims to recreate the atmosphere of KISSATEN in Kyoto. In the warm wooden interior, the interior of the store, decorated with stained glass windows and chandeliers, makes you feel like you've gone back in time. The signature menu, “Danpopo omelette,†is an eye-catching rugby ball-shaped egg placed on top of fried rice. If the staff cuts an egg with a knife, you can eat it with fried rice and sauce. “Katsusando,†which is a pork cutlet fried with domestic raw sirloin that has been aged for 48 hours or more, wrapped between white bread, is also a popular menu. The combination of fluffy yet soft bread and the chewy texture of pork is attractive.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 31, Nambusunhwan-ro 226-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 11:30 — 22:00 every day, B/T 15:00 — 17:00
â–²Price: Danpopo omelette: 11,000 won; Katsusando: 9,500 won
â–²Testimonial (The national style of food delivery): The store as well as the plating is so beautiful that it's a perfect place for a date~ If you cut the omelette on the TV, you can see it falling apart for yourself, but a certified shot is essential at this timing!
3. 'Gwanhoon Mansion' in Insa-dong with a signature menu on one plate
Image source: gwanhunmansion's Instagram
Image source: gwanhunmansion's Instagram
“Kwanhoon Mansion†is located deep in an alley near Ssamji-gil in Insa-dong. The food models on the entrance side of the store further add to the quaint feeling. Every morning, freshly baked morning bread is brought in from “Hyoja Bakery†and served as pre-meal bread. Starting with today's soup, which will gently soothe an empty stomach, the signature menu is “Kwan Hoon Teishoku,†where you can enjoy pork cutlet that is crispy on the outside, beef steak with demiglace sauce made by simmering it with red wine, and “Kwan Hoon Teishoku,†where you can enjoy light and attractive fish gas all at once. Please note that if you visit at lunchtime, you can eat at a discounted price.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 6-3, Insadong 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 11:30 — 23:00 every day, B/T (weekdays) 15:00 — 17:00
â–²Price: Kwanhoon set meal (lunch) 15,000 won, hamburger steak (lunch) 13,000 won
â–²Review (Shikigami Narande Cider): Kwan Hoon Mansion was reborn on the site of the Italian restaurant Andami. If I always go here, I order Guan Hoon's set meal, and it's nice to be able to eat all that at the same time. Steaks and pork cutlets are famous, and spaghetti with mentaiko is also very honey-flavored! hehe
4. 'Grill Demigras' in Chungmuro, a flavor that brings back memories
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Image source: hee528's Instagram
Image source: pinot_noir_holic's Instagram
“Grill Demiglas†moved from Palpan-dong, Jongno to the 1st floor of the Oriens Hotel in Chungmuro. It is a place where Chef Kim Jae-woo unravels the Japanese style that he has tasted while traveling to and from Japan. The potato salad and egg salad served with bread before the meal have a nostalgic flavor and are as popular as the main menu. The signature menu, “Hamburg Steak,†is a hamburger steak topped with a fried egg, salad, and grilled eggplant in one plate. If you soak a hamburger steak with egg yolk and eat it, the rich aroma that spreads throughout your mouth is attractive. I also like “Bifukatsu,†which is a deep-fried beef tenderloin that is aged and seasoned only with salt and pepper to make it crispy.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 5, Sami-daero 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 12:00 — 22:00 every day, B/T 14:30 — 18:00, closed on Mondays
â–²Price: Hamburg steak 20,000 won, beef cutlet 26,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Good for eating salmon meat): You should definitely try this hamburger steak! The sauce is also really tasty and soft, yet has a chewy texture. Also, tempura menus such as beef cutlet and fried shrimp are recommended.
5. Ikseon-dong's 'Gyeongsiyoku 1920s, 'with an atmosphere like being taken from a movie during the blooming season
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Image source: kyi_r.v's Instagram
Image source: j_suite's Instagram
“Kyungsiang 1920†takes its name from the 1920s, when Ikseon-dong Hanok Village was founded. The combination of old-fashioned interior accessories such as white tablecloths, pink sofas, and dial phones creates a unique atmosphere. Typical menus include “1920 hamburger steak,†which uses beef fat to finely ground beef to make the most of its moist juiciness and savory flavor, and “1920 tonkatsu,†where tender pork is thinly spread and deep-fried in an old-fashioned style. The characteristic of all menus is that they are served with creamy risotto instead of regular rice. Pork cutlets and hamburger steaks are also available in spicy versions.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 17-30 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 11:30 — 21:30 every day, B/T (weekdays) 15:00 — 17:00
â–²Price: 1920 pork cutlet 12,800 won, 1920 hamburger steak 15,800 won
â–²Review (My Dream Is BJ): Ikseon-dong is also famous for its hot flow! If you go on the weekend, the line is really long, so I think it would be a good idea to go at lunchtime on a weekday. On the first visit, I just tried it, and on the second visit, I also tried the spicy version, which has a different appeal. ^^