“Sunla Roadâ€, which is located in the middle of Seoul and boasts a quiet landscape, is so small and unknown that many people who were born and raised in Seoul didn’t know much about it. The road that runs east around Jongmyo Shrine is called “Dongsunla Gil,†and the road that goes west is called “Seosunra-gil,†a name derived from “Sunla,†which used to be a patrol system in the Joseon Dynasty.
Follow in the footsteps of Sunra-gun through the quiet, stone-walled alleys. The scenery that changes with the seasons is also amazing. Before the commercial development of this area, Jongno jewelers’ workshops, jewelry factories, and small jewelry stores were filled, and cafes and restaurants have been filling the market as popularity increased a few years ago. Seosunra-gil, which has a relatively cool view compared to Dongsunra-gil, has become increasingly popular recently as a hot spot. Here are five restaurants in Seosunla-gil where past and present coexist.
Restaurants on Sunra-gil include Sunra-gil, Ida, Kitchen Today, Sula, Hamheung Gombo Naengmyeon, Salong Sunra, Madna Bunsik, Woori Bar Squirrel, Heritage Club, Queen’s Guard, Pine Cone Bakery, Seoul Gypsy, Sunla Gil Bibi, Jimmy’s Smokehouse, Tmari, Ye Cafe, Zepajin Soba 2nd Branch, Chungmu Kalguksu, Donhwamun Kalguksu, Nikko Kitchen, Hezuli, and DM.
1. Food and wine using seasonal ingredients, “Idaâ€
Image source: the_grace0614’s Instagram
Image source: the_grace0614’s Instagram
Ida, a restaurant located at the end of Seosunra-gil, is a space that offers Korean food, traditional sake, and natural wine using a seasonal menu. The plating, which takes into account not only the taste but also the color of the food, is delicate. The popular menu, “Flatfish Ceviche,†features large flounder garnished with mayo sauce, olive oil, and herbs. In the “stone octopus†dish, the chewy octopus is placed on top of mashed potatoes and seasoned with sriracha sauce. It’s also a good idea to make a reservation in advance to get a nice window seat.
[Eating tips]
â–²Location: 153 Seosunra-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
â–²Business hours: 12:00 – 23:00 every day (B·T 15:00 – 17:00)
â–²Price: Jeju flounder ceviche 21,000 won, stone octopus 26,000 won, burrata cheese 16,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigami 533327): I had a hard time reserving a seat at the famous hall on the 2nd floor, but the view from the window itself was really healing. The recipe and composition were so unique that I was wondering if the ingredients I could easily access on a regular basis could produce this kind of flavor. In particular, the maple scallops topped with sesame herb foam are a combination of white wine and honey!
2. Enjoy craft beer, ‘Sula’ at a hanok pub
Image source: hyo_1986’s Instagram
Image source: hyo_1986’s Instagram
A pub where you can enjoy craft beer while enjoying the cool breeze. The interior with a hanok motif fits in with the view of the stone wall path. “Goob Lager,†which contains honey and allows you to enjoy both the freshness of lager and the sweetness of ale, and “Seoul Lager,†which has a subtle floral scent, are popular. Highball and cocktail menus are also available, and most of the menus are cheap within 10,000 won. Dorando is a great place to chat with close people.
[Eating tips]
â–²Location: 57, Seosunra-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
â–²Business hours: Weekdays 17:00 – 23:00, Saturday 15:00 – 24:00, Sunday 15:00 – 23:00
â–²Price: Gulp Lager 9,000 won, Seoul Lager 8700 won, Honey Potato 9,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Homerun Ball is the snack for eating): I recommend Goob Lager. If you go to a cocktail bar these days, it’s always over 10,000 won, but the price of a cocktail here is cheap… It’s cramped, but the atmosphere is great! You can even bring in food from outside! It was nice that you were kind~
3. ‘Queen’s Guard’, a pub full of British sensibility
Image source: dongmyo_parkc’s Instagram
Image source: dongmyo_parkc’s Instagram
A unique space where an English husband and a Korean wife meet to make and sell handmade English-style soaker. The space divided between the first floor and the basement floor has an exotic feel, making you feel like you’ve come on a trip. The signature “Queen’s Guard Signature Gin†is an English-style quenching drink made by cooling gin like tea leaves, herbs, and fruits, which has a floral scent and bitter black tea flavor.
[Eating tips]
â–²Location: 115 Seosunra-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 14:00 – 22:00 every day, closed on Mondays
â–²Price: Queen’s Guard Signature Gin 11,000 won, London Pride Brown Ale 11,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Eunvely:3): It’s a place that made me fall in love with the word English soaker. The snacks seemed to be served differently depending on the situation at that time. Dalmatians are guarding the store, and they are so cute.
4. ‘Woori Bar Squirrel’, a traditional bar that offers a relaxing evening time
Image source: due_foodie’s Instagram
Image source: due_foodie’s Instagram
A tavern where you can enjoy modern Korean snacks along with traditional sake. Various types of traditional sake are available for each category of nigake, distilled liquor, and sake. Snacks are characterized by modern variations in recipes and plating, with a focus on traditional Korean food such as “jeon, sundae, and tohachÅ.†The signature dish, “Shrimp Minari Jeon,†has an excellent crunchy texture and a fragrant mince flavor. “Jeju Pisundaegi†is made by grilling green Jeju-dae once to make the most of its crispy texture, and garnished it with truffle mayo sauce so that it can be eaten without reluctance.
[Eating tips]
â–²Location: 101, Seosunra-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
â–²Business hours: Wednesday to Friday 17:00 to 23:30, Saturday to Sunday 16:00 to 23:30, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
â–²Price: Squirrel sundubu stew 20,000 won, shrimp minari jeon 19,000 won, Jeju fish sundae 20,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Chicken.love): Space is limited, so I think it would be a good idea to make a reservation in advance. I’ve realized that traditional sake goes well with Korean food.
5. Enjoy relaxation on a leisurely stone wall path, ‘Heritage Club’
Image source: han_coff_’s Instagram
Image source: han_coff_’s Instagram
Image source: han_coff_’s Instagram
A hanok cafe bar where you can enjoy a cafe during the day and whiskey in the evening. The ceiling in the center of the cafe is raised and the glass ceiling is placed, making the interior bright and unique, as if it were located under the courtyard, and it is as comfortable as the motto of “rest.†The coffee flavor at Heritage Club is low in acidity and has a subtle chocolate flavor. The “Apple Cinnamon Latte,†which contains homemade apple juice, is also very popular. It’s also perfect to accompany a glass of whiskey or wine after the sun has set.
[Eating tips]
â–²Location: 75 Seosunra-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
â–²Business hours: 12:00 to 23:00 every day, closed, see Instagram
â–²Price: Americano 5,000 won, apple cinnamon latte 6,000 won, plain scone set 5,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigami Boo Samanko): The atmosphere is very nice. I came here once to drink coffee, and I also stop by at night. It’s so famous these days that there are a lot of people. A space I just want to enjoy when I’m laid-back during the daytime on weekdays:)
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