This is a Guest Article from Jisu of Lonely Traveler
I have no idea why Lord Sandwich isn’t the most popular restaurant in all of the Ewha University (or ‘Edae’) area by a landslide victory. As of now, it’s a favored lunch date spot for professors, older female students or business meetings that have run over late, but I sincerely suggest that anyone with a deep appreciation for good food come try it out.
Naengmyeon, a common Korean noodle dish, is an excellent example of the creative nature of Korean food. When I first tired naengmyeon, I thought, “How did they think to put these ingredients together? The noodles are iced!” Naengmyeon is as popular as it is creative. Yookssam Naengmyeon, a naengmyeon joint in Hongdae, not only serves this unique dish, but they have also tried to recreate the galbi/naengmyeon experience.
I was wandering around Hongdae with a friend, searching for a unique restaurant. We wanted to go somewhere out of the ordinary — not a common chain, hof, or café. Nothing seemed to fit the bill. Just as we were about to give up on our hunt, we stumbled upon Dallyeora Jogaegui Pocha (달려라 조개구이 포차), a seafood restaurant located in the heart of Hongdae. As luck would have it, Dallyeora Jogaegui Pocha was everything we wanted and more.
Heavily salted, dripping with oil, and often slightly stale street food is still one of the most popular and, arguably, most delicious Korean cuisines. Yet, even when a serious sodium craving hits, the local street food stall doesn’t always satisfy. In fact, street food doesn’t have to equate with low quality, unhealthy ingredients. At Gukdae Tteokbokki in Hongdae, traditional Korean street food gets a makeover.
Guest Author: KungPyo Rhee
If you have had enough of fried or greasy chicken, Bong Chu Steamed Chicken(봉추찜닭), located near Hong Dae, provides you a new and healthy experience. Unlike other traditional Korean restaurants, Bong Chu Jjim Dak facinated me with its modern interior décor. The restaurant was crowded but not disturbingly so.
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Soju is drunk in Gangnam. Champagne in Cheongdam, and coffee or wine in Garosu-gil, Sinsa.
So which drinks fit the Hongdae scene?
If anything, Hongdae has it all. Hole-in-the-wall soju and beer places are everywhere. Jagermeister and tequila shots are commonplace in clubs. There are plenty of wine bars and other bars that sell hard liquor. But can you think of a place where you can have some sangria?
El Bliss is a dining lounge that you would expect to see in Cheongdam. El Bliss is reminiscent of Bliss in Itaewon, with similar wall design and light lamps that hang low.
But if anything El Bliss feels more like a cocktail lounge. In other words, totally un-Hongdae-like.
Guest Author: KungPyo Rhee
Often, when people think of cafes, they think of quiant little shops where couples, families, and friends can drink coffee, eat sandwiches, and have a few pasteries. This is such a place. Adorned with a diverse selection of ornaments, Buccella provides you a range of visual satisfaction while you have delicious sandwiches!
The name Cafe aA has always been under debate — some call it a cafe, others call it a museum, and there are even some people who consider this venue a showroom for designer’s furniture. But no matter what you call it, aA Design Museum (Cafe aA) provides a multitude of visual, historical, and culinary experiences that are sure to delight even the pickiest of cafe critics.
International restaurants are becoming more common throughout Seoul, but the generally inflated price tag accompanying them requires that you be an especially discerning judge; there’s no dining injury more painful than a bruised wallet following an insulting meal. Thankfully, the restaurant DIWAN-I-AM offers authentic Indian cuisine that is well worth the price.
Pregaming in Korea usually involves soju, beer, and a host of greasy side dishes which are less than satisfying. Although this is to save money, there are better options. Oversound in Hongdae offers extremely affordable prices, yet provides a chic atmosphere with quality music (and a sound system setup which can only be described in pictures).
