Seochon is still a solid neighborhood, but it has a vibrancy that keeps new spaces coming and going. Here are eight of the best places to eat and drink in this fun-to-walk neighborhood.
1. Deked
Deked is located in the neck of the woods where Seochon staples such as Tongin Sweets and Seochon Geumsang Croquette are gathered. Open for brunch and dinner, it is the second space of the natural wine bar Rul, which is located across the street from the Bukchon Jeongdok Library next door.
It serves European-style cuisine, and when you’re eating Decked’s galette, gazpacho, and andive salad, you’ll feel like you’re in a European restaurant that serves similar dishes, like Atelier September. Whether it’s the flavors, which are far beyond mimicry, or the energy of the minimalist, sensual space, it’s hard to tell. It’s a great place to sit on the terrace and laze away the time.
📍1F, 43, Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
2. Jalpajin Buckwheat
Although it is more popular in summer, buckwheat noodles are popular in all seasons because they are filling and easy on the stomach. Buckwheat noodle lovers planning an outing to Seochon can go to Jalpa Jeonjinmemil. The classic mulmakguksu, bibim makguksu, and perilla oil makguksu tossed with sprouts are the main items, and there are also meal and drink sets. It is a place where you can enjoy a nostalgic Jongno experience in a moderately well-organized space with flavors that never fail. There are also branches in Iksun-dong, Euljiro, and Sungshin Women’s University.
📍4, Jahamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu
3. Stone Field Buckwheat Flower
Seochon is home to a number of buckwheat restaurants, but there’s one more that we have to recommend. It’s Doljang Buckwheat Flower, also known by its old name, Buckwheat Flower Pilmujeong. You wouldn’t know it from the newly built building, but the restaurant has been around for over 20 years. The specialty of Stone Field Buckwheat Flower is buckwheat bean noodles. The view of the stone wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace across the street through the picture frame-like windows is a bonus.
📍31-1, Hyojaro-ro, Jongno-gu
4. Sage Finch
If you want to start your morning off on the right foot, head to Sagefinch. Sagefinch is a small brunch cafe on the way up to Baehwa Women’s University from Pilwoon-daero. The owner makes each bowl of food by himself and decorates it beautifully, so it’s a great place to go alone and have a quiet morning. Sagefinch is open Friday through Monday, 9am to 4pm. They close early when they run out of ingredients, so it’s best to get there early.
📍8, Pilwoon-daero 1-gil, Jongno-gu
5. Chebudong Jajajip
If you’re looking for a gentle second place in Seochon, there’s no better place than Sejongmaeul Alley. It’s a street full of pocha bars such as Anjumil and Auneobin Daetteok. Chebudong Jajangjip has a variety of snacks, such as hotpot and acorn rice cakes, and cold makgeolli that you can eat after descending a mountain without hiking. There are also noodles, momil, and mandu soup for a quick meal.
📍16, Jahamun-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu
6. Bistro Chinchin
We stumbled upon Bistro Chinchin while strolling down a quiet Hyo-dong alleyway, but it turns out that it’s been a stalwart for the past decade. This cozy space in a converted family home serves Italian cuisine in courses, from appetizers and antipasto to steaks and granitas.
📍54, Hyojaro 13-gil, Jongno-gu
7. Horapa
While the Michelin Guide Seoul 2024 list is filled with restaurants that have already made the list before, six new restaurants have made the cut this year. Thai restaurant Horapa is one of them. Horapa serves dishes inspired by Thai street food, full of charcoal and spice flavors, with Korean ingredients.
From humuyang, charcoal pork ears cooked in a five-spice broth, to somtam, green papaya and seasonal fruits, to aitumnam taohu, ice cream made with soy milk from Yecheon Soybean Farm and topped with tapioca pearls. If you’re curious about what it tastes like, you’ll have to experience it for yourself.
📍37-1 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu
8. Duomo
Finally, one more Italian family-style restaurant that’s like a grinding mill. It is a place that thinks about where the ingredients we eat come from and serves seasonal food with fragrant vegetables. If you’re feeling the Italian craving, this is a great place to go and enjoy your meal. Sometimes they have fun pop-ups with friends in the neighborhood, like Horapa, so if you’re interested, follow the news.
📍5, Jahamun-ro 16-gil, Jongno-gu