1989 Bistro • 1989 비스트로

My sudden craving for steak was the reason why I had an impromptu dinner at 1989 Bistro (1989 비스트로) during one of my neighborhood explorations in Seoul. There were a couple of other restaurants in the area but its outdoor seating really what sold me. It was a summer evening after all and enjoying the breeze outside was more appealing than spending my time inside an air conditioned restaurant.

I seated myself on one of the outdoor seatings and the friendly staff took my order immediately after. I ordered their Korean Beef Sirloin Steak (한우 스테이크) which came out not too long after. The meat and the vegetables were perfectly cooked and well seasoned and it came with a side of fried rice, which I found interesting because before this, I don’t think I’ve ever had steak with fried rice (even if I have, I can’t remember the last time I had it). Dinner was quiet and delicious and I spent a bit of a time people watching afterwards before I head back home.

Note: These pictures were taken before the pandemic.

 

1989 Bistro • 1989 비스트로

Address: 서울 용산구 회나무로13가길 37 1층
Telephone: 0507-1416-0185
Hours: 12:00 - 21:00 Wednesday - Sunday

Instagram: @1989_bistro

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12 months • 열두달

Eating at 12 months (열두달) is like eating in a mini cafeteria. The hanok restaurant that’s located at Ikseon-dong (익선동) actually housed 6 different brands that have different menus that focus on different things ranging from meat, pasta, vegetables to drinks. It’s actually a great concept for a group of people who might have different cravings but still want to eat together because you can just select from the different concept menus that they have.

The interior of the place is also very homey. Maybe because the original structure of the hanok is kept so I felt like stepping into someone’s house. I also like how they have different sections of seatings, from the middle area that’s lit by the natural lighting from the glass ceiling above to the more private seatings that are divided by shelves and walls.

The first time I went to 12 months (열두달) was when it was just opened. There’s always a line in front of the place on the weekends so I decided to go during odd hours on a weekday to avoid the queue. Sure enough, the place was not too busy when I got there. There were still people eating, but at least I don’t have to wait in line. After looking through their menu, I ended up ordering ROOT’s creamy mushroom pasta and it was delicious. The portion was pretty big, the sauce was the right amount of creamy with earthy flavors and it was topped with generous serving of sliced mushrooms. I’ve been back a couple of times since then with my friends and they all seemed to like the food there. Unfortunately, I think the place just closed recently and has been replaced by another store because I can no longer find it on the map.

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Egg Dang • 에그당

I visited Egg Dang (에그당) when I was exploring Hapjeong (합정) area. When lunch time came around, I passed by this place and took a look at their menu board to find that they actually serve pasta here. So in I went and I found myself in a small restaurant with an open kitchen next to my left and small tables on my right. There were only three tables and bar seatings on the main area of the restaurant, but I later found out that they have more seats at the back.

I look over their menu and decided to order their signature dish, which is the Poached Egg Pasta (수란 파스타) which costs ₩14,900. It is essentially a spicy linguini pasta with Egg Dang’s special cream sauce topped with chives, garlic, red pepper powder, bits of bacon and poached egg. I was actually craving for a creamy pasta so this was perfect for me. The portion was generous, the pasta was well cooked, and it tasted good. The cream sauce wasn’t too overwhelming. Maybe the spiciness from the sauce cut the creaminess of the overall dish, at least that was my guess. And the egg was perfectly poached as the yellow yolk oozed to the pasta after I cut into it, which I appreciate. The bacon bits might be a little bit on the salty side for some people, but I like food on the saltier side so it wasn’t a problem for me.

Overall, I quite enjoy Egg Dang’s Poached Egg Pasta and I probably come back to this place again the next time I have a creamy pasta craving.

Egg Dang • 에그당

Address: 서울시 마포구 서교동 396-4
Telephone: 02-3144-3170
Hours: 11:30 - 21:30 | Closed on Mondays

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Woolf Social Club • 울프소셜클럽

Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s book ‘A Room of One’s Own’, Woolf Social Club (울프소셜클럽) wants to provide a space where one can enjoys good food, good music as well as a place where people can freely voice their opinions and be part of a discussions about different issues. In an interview with NYLON Magazine, the owner stated, “In his book, Wolf talked about ‘the sophistication, temperance, and dignity that luxury and personal freedom and space created.’ It is a material that is necessary to imagine something better than the present. I also hope to enrich the imagination of someone here by filling the space with vinyl, tea, food, and my character that can not be torn by the caustic rain. I would like them to return to their own room with such a feeling.”

My cousin and I went to Woolf Social Club for brunch on Saturday a couple of weeks after they just opened. I really like their space. It’s not too big, but it’s not too small either. The weather was warm and they had the windows open so we got to enjoy the sunlight and the cool breeze while we’re inside. Jazz music was playing on the background and the place wasn’t really busy when we got there.

We ordered Ham & Cheese Jaffle and Pork Belly Bun for our mains and Masala Chai Milk Tea and Mint Chocolate Black Tea for our drinks. The food was good and the staff was friendly (the owner speaks fluent English too). By the time we finished our meal, the place was pretty packed. I guess everybody’s just started their day late on a Saturday. I definitely recommend this place for brunch or if you’re looking for a cozy open-space cafe/restaurant to hang out at. Try their Highball or Espresso Martini if you are having a hard time choosing what drink to order.

Woolf Social Club • 울프소셜클럽

Address: 서울특별시 용산구 한남동 795-2
Hours: 12:00-22:00 (Monday - Saturday) | 12:00 - 21:00 (Sundays) | Closed on Wednesdays

Instagram: @woolfsocialclub

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Underyard • 언더야드

Came to Underyard (언더야드) with my cousin for some late brunch on a Monday and we had to wait for quite a bit for our table cos the place was packed. We weren’t expecting it to be packed since, first, it’s a Monday, and two, the restaurant itself is located in the middle of a quiet residential area that does not necessarily attracts a lot of foot traffic.

After we finally got our seat in one of the tables inside of what felt like a contemporary underground kitchen, we looked through their menu to decided what we’re gonna order. Their food menu is pretty simple. There are sandwiches, salads, and homemade yogurt options, and also Shakshuka to complete the food menu. Their drink menu on the other hand consists of selections of coffee, tea, and soda.

We decided to order their Shrimp & Salmon Sandwich and Shakshuka and to share. The shrimp & salmon sandwich was light and fresh and a perfect choice to open our meal. The combination of shrimp, salmon, cucumber, eggs, dill, and lemon was really well balanced. The shakshuka—which is basically eggs in tomato sauce—on the other hand, came with bread and it tasted wonderful. The fresh juicy taste of tomatoes combined with the eggs gave us a perfect end to hearty meal. If you are looking for a brunch spot in Seoul, I would recommend to give Underyard a try.

Underyard • 언더야드

Address: 서울특별시 강남구 논현동 62-20
Telephone: 02-3443-3356
Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (Closed on 1st, 3rd, 5th Monday of the month. Closed on Sundays)

Instagram: @underyardseoul

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