Yoo Bang Nyeong The Hyundai Seoul • 유방녕 더현대서울점

Yoo Bang Nyeong The Hyundai Seoul (유방녕 더현대서울점) is a Chinese restaurant that is located at the B1 Floor of The Hyundai Seoul Mall (더현대서울). I ended up at this restaurant simply because me and my friend wanted to eat some Jjajangmyeon and Tangsuyuk when we were hanging out at The Hyundai Seoul and this place seemed to have a pretty good options for those. 

As soon as we walked in, we took a seat at one of the empty table inside the pretty spacious restaurant. We put our order into the self-service tablet on the table and not long after, our food was served.

Yooni Jjajangmyeon (유니짜장면) ₩11,000 | 9/10

Black Bean Sauce Noodles with Minced Meat

The noodle is cooked perfectly and it’s very easy to mix the sauce (some places have the noodle clumped up together, but this place definitely cooked their noodle right). The black bean sauce is also really tasty and flavorful. One of the better Jjajangmyeon I’ve had in Seoul.

Black Garlic Tangsuyuk (흑마늘 탕수육) (Small) ₩33,000 | 9/10

Black garlic sweet and sour pork

The texture of the tangsuyuk is so good. Crispy breading on the outside with juicy tender pork meat on the inside. The sweet and sour sauce also hit that middle balance between sweet and sour, making it a perfect pair for the meat. This was the first time I tried black garlic and I thought it’s gonna taste like a raw garlic and spicy. But surprisingly, it tasted sweet. If you like black garlic, you’ll definitely enjoy this dish (my friend who eats black garlic often did).

This is one of those no frill, no fuss kind of restaurant that you can go in and out quickly after you eat your food. And judging by the two menus we ordered, I think it’s safe to say that their food is pretty good. This is place is a good option to try if you’re looking for a place to eat when you’re hanging out at The Hyundai Seoul. As for me, I would definitely come back again to this place if I’m craving for some Jjajangmyeon or Tangsuyuk. 

 

Yoo Bang Nyeong The Hyundai Seoul • 유방녕 더현대서울점

Address: 서울 영등포구 여의대로 108 더현대서울 B1F
Telephone: 0507-1367-0769

Hours:
Monday-Thursday 10:30-20:00 (Last Order 19:30)
Friday-Sunday 10:30-20:30 (Last Order 20:00)

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Pro Soy Crab Sinsa • 프로간장게장 신사본점

Pro Soy Crab Sinsa (프로간장게장 신사본점) is one of the most famous crab and seafood restaurants in Seoul that’s well-known for their Ganjang-Gejang 간장게장 (soy sauce marinated crabs). They use premium grade blue crabs that are caught fresh from the west sea of Korea and marinated them with their own special sauce made from fresh ingredients. Since the opening of this first flagship location in 1980, Pro Soy Crab is considered one of the pioneer of marinated crabs restaurants in Seoul.

If you have watched your fair share of Korean variety shows and K-dramas, you probably have seen a Ganjang-Gejang eating scenes on your screen before. And I bet most of you are probably curious if those soy sauce marinated crabs are really as good as how these Korean idols, actors and actresses who are eating them made them look like to be. At least in my case, me and my friends were definitely really curious, especially since every single one of them always boast on how good, expensive and special Ganjang-Gejang is. And that is how me and my friend found ourselves going to one of the most famous Ganjang-Gejang restaurants in Seoul to try these crabs for ourselves.

Pro Soy Crab Sinsa (프로간장게장 신사본점) is located 153 meters from Sinsa Station (신사역), a short 2-minute walk from Exit 4 and close to the famous Garosugil (가로수길). The restaurant occupies 5 floors of a tall building and accommodates about 320 seats for visiting patrons. My friend and I went for a visit on a Wednesday for lunch. As soon as we stepped into the restaurant, we were quickly seated at one of the empty booths and were given the menu book to look through while one of the staff placed six different banchans and two bowls of seaweed soup on the table. After we placed our order, all the food came up pretty quick so the service was really swift at this restaurant.

Sliced Live Octopus 산낙지 ₩30,000 | 8.5/10

Sliced Live Octopus with Sesame Oil and Salt

The octopus was fresh and seasoned nicely. It wasn’t fishy and the texture was soft and chewy. I also really like the fragrant sesame dipping oil that was served with it. If you haven’t had this before, the moving octopus pieces might look scary. But honestly, after you put it in your mouth and start chewing, you’ll get over the sensation of the pieces sucking and sticking to your tongue pretty fast. Just make sure you dip the octopus in the sesame oil and chew thoroughly. If you haven’t had this before and want to try a good one, I’d recommend this place to try since this is one of the better sliced live octopus that I’ve had in Seoul. 

Soy Sauce Marinated Blue Crabs 간장게장 ₩78,000 | 8/10

2 Female Crabs (Medium Size)

Their famous Ganjang-Gejang (Soy Sauce Marinated Blue Crabs) was actually pretty good. The crabs were definitely fresh with a good amount of meat and roe in them. They were also marinated and seasoned well with the salty soy sauce flavor being up front and prominent in every single bite. You’ll definitely have to eat the crab meat with rice and/or banchans to balanced out the flavor if you don’t want it to taste too salty. Also worth noting, if you are not a big fan of seafood or sensitive to the fishy or briny taste of seafood, this might not be your cup of tea. There was a good amount of fishiness and brininess that I tasted when eating the crabs so if you’re really sensitive, you might not like this dish. 

Sweet and Spicy Marinated Blue Crabs 양념게장 ₩82,000 | 9/10

2 Female Crabs (Medium Size)

For their Yangnyeom-Gejang (Sweet and Spicy Marinated Blue Crabs), I actually like this more than I like the Ganjang-Gejang. The yangnyeom sauce was seasoned really well. It’s a bit spicy for me who has a low tolerance of spicy food, but the spice level was still manageable when I ate it with rice. I also think since the flavor of the yangnyeom sauce is a bit punchier than the ganjang sauce, it did a better job at masking that fishy taste from the crab meat. I actually didn’t really taste the fishiness at all on this one. So my recommendation is for you who’s more sensitive to that fishy seafood taste, definitely try the Yangnyeom-Gejang instead. I think you’ll enjoy it more than the Ganjang-Gejang.

Crab Roe Bibimbap 게알비빔밥 ₩25,000 | 8.5/10

Bibimbap made with steamed rice, fresh crab meat, crab roe, egg yolk, seaweed seasoning, sesame, sesame oil

We also ordered the Crab Roe Bibimbap to eat with the crabs and this was also pretty good. The bibimbap itself isn’t strongly seasoned. You mix the crab roe, egg yolk, seaweed and the rice together and you’ll get a creamy bowl of rice that’s actually a perfect pair for the stronger flavored marinated crab meat. Eating them together in a bite certainly cut the saltiness and spiciness from the marination sauce and gave a more balanced flavors. Wrap it in the seaweed sheet if you want to add a little crunch to your bite.

Overall, would I recommend this place? If you’re looking for a good place to try a good Ganjang-Gejang, Yangnyeom-Gejang or Live Octopus, then yes. I think this place is worth trying, especially if you’re visiting Seoul and you want to try Korean food that is not Korean BBQ or meat. Pro Soy Crab Sinsa (프로간장게장 신사본점) does serve fresh blue crabs that taste good. And judging by the number of photos and signatures of Korean public figures that are hanged on the wall around the restaurants, I believe the locals also love this place. Whether the crabs are really as good as how these Korean idols, actors and actresses who are eating them on screen made them look like to be or not, I’ll let you be the judge of that.

 

Pro Soy Crab Sinsa • 프로간장게장 신사본점

Address: 서울 서초구 강남대로97길 7 지하1.2층, 지상1층(잠원동)
Telephone: 02-543-4126
Hours: Everyday 10:00-23:00

Instagram: @prosoycrab
Menu

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Wui Tea House & Restaurant • 웨이 티하우스 앤 레스토랑

Wui Tea House & Restaurant (웨이 티하우스 앤 레스토랑) is a Chinese restaurant that serves Hong Kong cuisines that is located in Yongsan (용산) neighborhood. Stepping into Wui feels like being transported to one of the Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong. The dimly lit space is filled booth seatings for two and four, providing an intimate atmosphere and privacy for patrons. It feels like a place where a spy protagonist of a movie might be having a secret meeting to devise a grand plan for something greater. 

Staying true to the restaurant’s concept, the interior is decorated with green neon hanja sign, mahjong tiles, Chinese books and liquor bottles, and a projector that’s playing scenes from old Hong Kong movies on the wall. All these things will certainly remind you of Hong Kong and a nice touch to the overall dining experience.

First time I visited Wui was when I was craving for some Chinese food near the end of my two months trip in Seoul. Missing a little taste of home, I searched for a Chinese restaurant when I was exploring Yongsan neighborhood and found Wui Tea House & Restaurant on one of the search results. The menu looked interesting and has some things that I wanted to eat so I ended up giving the place a try.

I arrived at around 8 pm and the place was pretty busy. It wasn’t a full house but the majority of the tables were occupied with patrons that were sharing meals with their dinner companions over animated conversations and soft jazz music that can be heard around the room. I was immediately seated at one of the booth for two in the middle aisle of the restaurant and given the menu to look over. Their menu is designed looking like a newspaper and I have to say it’s pretty well-designed. I really like the overall layout and typography and it feels very on brand with the aesthetic of the restaurant.

Their menu is pretty extensive and even though there were so many interesting things I wanted to try, I ended up deciding on three menus to order.

Cold Chicken with Chili Sauce 구수제 (닭고기:국내산) ₩25,000 | 9.5/10

Sichuan-style cold chicken breast in spicy chili sauce and cucumber salad.
닭 가슴살에 매콤한 소스를 곁들인 사천식 냉채 요리

The chicken was tender and juicy and the chili oil was super delicious. It was spicy and salty and the dish was nicely seasoned. It was a bit on the spicy side for my personal preference (since I can’t really eat spicy food in general), but the spice level was still manageable for me since I ate it with rice. This was the first dish that came out and honestly I was really impressed.

Typhoon Shelter Style Shrimp 비풍당 ₩35,000 | 9.5/10

Cantonese style fried shrimps topped with fried garlic chips, dried chilis, and scallions.
튀긴 새우에 마늘칩을 얹은 광동식 해산물 요리

The shrimps were fresh and the size was pretty big. It was nicely fried with golden crispy batter on the outside and the texture of the meat was still chewy on the inside. The crispy fried garlic chips, dried chilis, and scallions were also really good. It’s savory and the seasoning was just right. Ate them with steamed rice and it was a really satisfying bite for me. Definitely another impressive dish that I really enjoyed. 

Hangzhou Style Braised Pork Belly 동파육 ₩19,000 | 9.5/10

Pork belly that is slow cooked in Chinese cooking wine and Korean yeast.
소흥주와 누룩을 넣어 오랜시간 조린 항주식 돼지고기 요리

The pork belly was the dish that surprised me the most. I’ve had this kind of dish before in the past so flavor wise, it was familiar flavors that reminded me of my grandma’s cooking during Chinese New Year. The brown sauce was sweet and savory and absolutely rich in flavors. Very nice and balanced sauce.

Now let’s talk about the pork belly. The dish was served with a side of scissors next to it so I was assuming that the meat might be a little tough. So I took the scissors and stuck it into the meat, expecting that it would require a little of an effort from my part to cut this thick piece of meat. But the second the metal blades disappeared into the brown sauce, I realized how wrong I was because. Oh. My. Gosh. The meat was very, super, extremely tender! They really did slow cooked this meat until it was buttery soft. Honestly, no scissors were needed for this dish because you can easily cut the meat with your spoon (although cutting it with the scissors did make the slices of meat more even and prettier I admit). The meat even fell apart when I picked it up with my chopsticks. The pork belly was definitely amazing and this was a really delicious and nicely executed dish.

Service at this place was also really great. I was served by (I think) the manager of the restaurant and he asked me where I’m from. He thought I was a Hongkonger and it led to more small talks after. During and after the meal, he ended up giving me a couple of drinks to try as well as desserts on the house. I really appreciate the hospitality and the kind gesture which made my whole dining experience even more enjoyable than it already was.

Zhuge Liang Baijiu 제갈량 백주 38%vol 빠이지오우 (諸葛亮 白酒)

I don’t know a lot about Baijiu (Chinese liquor) but this one was pretty smooth but strong for my personal preference.

Hong Kong Milk Tea 홍콩 밀크티 | 8/10

Fragrant milk tea and not too sweet. I liked it. Although I did taste a little bit of coffee when I had it so there’s a possibility that it was Yuenyeung (Hong Kong-style milk tea and coffee) instead of Hong Kong Milk Tea. Honestly, I’m not too sure. But nevertheless, it was good.

Almond Pudding 아몬드 푸딩 | 8/10

The almond pudding was silky smooth and overall it wasn’t too sweet. 

Flower Candy | 8/10

The candy was also not too sweet and has subtle flavors of flowers. Pretty interesting dessert and a good option if you prefer something light and sweet to end your meal.

The ambience of this place was pretty nice and relaxing, although it could get pretty loud during lunch/dinner rush. They also have different menus for lunch and dinner. During lunch they serve lighter dishes that are usually served at cha chaan teng (Hong Kong’s casual cafes/diners) and during dinner they serve heavier traditional Chinese dishes that can be paired with baijiu (clear Chinese liquor) if you choose to. 

If you ever want to try a great Chinese restaurant or delicious Hong Kong cuisines in Seoul, I would definitely recommend paying Wui Tea House & Restaurant a visit. Their food is one of the best food I’ve had in Seoul and I would definitely go back again next time I’m craving some delicious Chinese food when I’m in Seoul.

 

Wui Tea House & Restaurant • 웨이 티하우스 앤 레스토랑

Address: 서울 용산구 한강대로21길 25 한국여성단체협의회 1층, WUI
Telephone: 02-795-2125
Hours:
• Monday-Wednesday & Friday 11:30-22:00
(15:00-18:00 Break Time, 21:00 Last Order)
• Thursday 11:30-23:00
(15:00-18:00 Break Time, 22:00 Last Order)
• Closed on Sundays

Instagram: @wui.yongsan

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Pizza Express Garosugil • 피자익스프레스

If you’ve explored Garosugil, you probably have passed by Pizza Express’ Instagrammable store front at some point during your walk. I have taken multiple shots of their colorful vintage bus stop chairs with a pizza neon light above it on multiple different occasion before finally visiting their restaurant.

Looking just at their entrance, I honestly thought it’s a small pizza place. But turns out, after going down the narrow stairs leading to the basement where it’s located, Pizza Express (피자익스프레스) is actually a pretty spacious restaurant. Decorated with skateboards, pop paintings, sandbag, a billiard table and more neon lights, the restaurant’s interior definitely feels young and hip. You can find lots of pop culture references too inside the space.

I stopped by one day in mid-afternoon with a couple of friends because they were thirsty. So we only ordered some beers and soda during our visit and didn’t get to try their pizza. Maybe on my next visit.

 

Pizza Express • 피자익스프레스

Address: 서울 강남구 압구정로10길 28 지하1층
Telephone: 070-7757-9200
Hours: Everyday 12:00 - 22:30

Instagram: @pizzaexpress_kr

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Oneunjeong • 오는정쪽갈비

Oneunjeong (오는정쪽갈비) is probably one of my favorite galbi restaurant in Seoul. I was first introduced to this restaurant by my friend, Winny, who took me to their Gwanghwamun location. This time around, I was craving it again and decided to check out their other location near Gyeongbokgung (경복궁) area.

Their recommended menu is Jjok Galbi (쪽갈비) which costs ₩15,000/per serving and it said on the menu that the meat is imported from France. Typical of meat restaurants in Seoul, they have a minimum order of 2 servings per table. So even though I came alone, I ordered 2 servings of the Jjok Galbi. 

First, came the banchans which consist of kimchi (김치), acorn jelly (도토리묵), pickled radish (단무지), and macaroni (마카로니). And then came the Jjok Galbi which are placed on top of the small portable pan on the table that’ll keep the meat warm. The galbi itself is super delicious. The seasoning is perfectly right on the spot, the meat has the right amount of chewiness without it being tough and the smokiness from being cooked on the charcoal grill really brings out the flavor of the meat. And if you eat if with the banchans, they actually enhance the flavor of the meat and make it more juicy (imo). At first, I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to finish the two portions of the meat, but hey, I finished it all in the end. It was that good. All and all it was a very delicious meal and my craving was satisfied.

If you’re in Gyeongbokgung area or visiting Sejong Village Food Street (세종마을 음식문화거리) where the restaurant is located, I would definitely recommend you to try Oneunjeong (오는정쪽갈비), especially if you’re overwhelmed by the many food options you can choose from since the area is practically covered with restaurants.

Note: These photos were taken before the pandemic.

 

Oneunjeong • 오는정쪽갈비

Address: 서울 종로구 자하문로1길 22
Telephone: 02-735-5718
Hours: Everyday 11:00 - 23:00

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