Haha - Hongdae

Haha is probably the best authentic Chinese food place I have ever been to in all of Korea.  They are especially famous for their mixed eggplant dish.  I gave that a try and was not disappointed at all.  The only other thing that we tried was a soup, and the soup was also extremely delicious.

I once again regret to inform you that I only have an admittedly quite bad picture of the soup, but for additional pictures please take a look at the other blogs I have linked to at the bottom of the page.

Menu

Soup

Ganpunggi

Stir Fried Eggplant

Shrimp Fried Rice

There are two things you should know about Haha.  First of all this place is incredibly popular and there is always a long line outside of the restaurant.  You should come prepared to wait a while for a table if you are coming at normal hours.  The second thing you should know is that the sign is nearly entirely in Chinese.  Take a look at the blogs below for pics of the storefront to make sure you find it.

Directions: 

New Address System: 서울특별시 마포구 동교로 263

Old Address System: 서울특별시 마포구 연남동 229-12

Naver Maps

Google Maps

Additional Blogs about Haha:

Pics of Storefront, Menu, Food

Pics of Menu and Food

Pics of Storefront, Menu, Food

A to Z Cafe - Sinchon

A to Z cafe is a really cool spot in Sinchon that doesn't seem to get a lot of recognition in the foreign crowds.  The interior is really nice and all of the food and drinks at this place are really good.  I have tried a variety of things on the menu, and I have never been disappointed.  One thing that you may want to know about this place is they require one drink order per a patron.  It is not possible to go to A to Z cafe and order only cake.

This place is an excellent spot for a date and is a good place to work, talk and hang out.  I really like this place and recommend it highly.

A to Z also serves pasta, sandwiches and other food, but I have never tried anything apart form the panini.  The panini is a solid panini that comes with a small salad.  The one that I had was the eggplant and bulgogi panini which was also filled with quite a lot of cheese.  It was not huge considering the price, but the flavor was spot on.  I cannot comment on the other food since I have not tried it.

Strawberry Latte Flower

Strawberry Latte

Eggplant and Bulgogi Panini

New Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 연세로4길 30

Old Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 창천동 13-42

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Google Maps

Additional Blogs about A to Z Cafe:

Pics of the Cafe, Drinks and Extensive Pics of the Menu

Pics of Store Front, Cafe, Drinks

Pics of Cafe, Drinks, Pasta, Sandwiches

Coyote Saloon - Hongdae

Coyote Saloon is a great pizza place located in Hongdae.  It is possible to order two different types of pizza when ordering just a single pizza at this place which makes for some variety.  I have tried a few different kinds of the pizza as well as the salad at this place, and I have never been disappointed.  This is one of my favorite restaurants.

The atmosphere is a bit bar like in this place, which makes it seem fun.  I'd say it is a good place for a date.  We had the grape salad which also comes with pita bread a generous serving of ricotta cheese, and the pizza.  We chose to do the half and half pizza and we order the mushroom and BBQ shrimp pizza.

Grape Salad with Pita and Ricotta Cheese

Mushroom Pizza and BBQ Shrimp Pizza

I have been to this place several time and always loved it.  I recommend it highly.

* Coyote Saloon actually has two locations.

Directions to Yeonnam-dong Location: Walk out Honggig University Station (홍대입구역) exit 3.  Make your third right, then your second right.  Coyote Saloon is on the left.

New Address System: 서울특별시 마포구 동교로 257-1

Old Address System: 서울특별시 마포구 연남동 229-55

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Additional Blogs about Yeonnam Location:

Food and Restaurant Pics

Additional Food and Restaurant Pics

Directions to Hongdae Location: Walk out Sangsu Station exit 1.  Make a right on the third road (The huge on that goes to Sangsang Madang and Hongdae).  Coyote Saloon is a ways down on that road on the right.  It is pretty close to Sangsang Madang (if you hit Sangsang Madang you've gone too far).

New Address System: 서울특별시 마포구 서교동 408-7 창성빌딩 2층

Old Address System: 서울특별시 마포구 어울마당로 58

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Google Maps

Additional Blogs about Hongdae Location:

Restaurant, Menu and Food Pics

Restaurant and Food Pics

Lord Sandwich - Idae

Lord Sandwich is a fantastic sandwich place that is located near the back gate of Idae.  They have a wide variety of sandwiches, some of the sandwiches I have eaten include egg, salmon and chicken sandwiches.  The bread in this place is really good as are all of the ingredients.  I have not been disappointed by anything that I have eaten.  The sandwiches range in price from about 8,000 to 15,000 won.

This place also makes pizza, but I have never tried it.

One thing that also really sticks out about Lord Sandwich is how beautiful the building is.  The architecture is truly unique and appears to be very modern.  There are also interesting paintings displayed all over the walls.

Storefront

Menu and Pricing

Interior

Interior

BLT

Upgraded Chicken Sandwich

Gamberi Sandwich

Jifoo Sandwich

Lord Sandwich is a great sandwich place that you should check out if you have been missing sandwiches here in Korea.

Directions: Please see the maps.  This place is not close to any major subway lines.

New Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 연대동문길 47-6

Old Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 대신동 92

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Google Maps

Additional Blogs about Lord Sandwich:

Pics of Store Front, Building, Menu, Sandwiches

More Pics of Building, Store Front, Menu, Different Sandwiches and Pizza

Hana (하나) - Sinchon

There is an excellent okonomiyaki and yakisoba place in Sinchon.  This is probably the best I've had in Korea and basically tastes exactly like it does in Japan.  In addition to okonomiyaki and yakisoba, this restaurant also makes yakiudon and modeunyaki.  There are a few other items on the menu as well.

Do not forget about your toppings when you come to this place.  I usually get the cheese topping on the yakisoba which makes it even better.  The food in this place is great, and I highly recommend it.

One thing you should know about Hana is that this place is extremely popular, which means that there is almost always quite a long line out in front of it.  It is not uncommon to have to wait 20-30 mins to get a table in this place.

Storefront

Part of the Menu (They have more items)

I regret to inform you that I do not have photos of Hana's food at this time, but I will link to blogs with photos of the food below.

Directions: *This place is a little far from the station.  Look at the maps to make sure to find it.*  Walk out Sinchon Station exit 3.  Make a right on the third road (just before Paris Baguette).  Make a left at the T intersection.  Go down for quite a ways and Hana is on the left.

New Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 연세로4길 61

Old Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 창천동 5-32

Naver Maps

Google Maps

Additional Blogs about Hana:

Pics of Food, Store Front, Menu

Pics of Food and Store

Food and Menu Pics

Just Dessert - Idae

Just Dessert is an unique cafe that serves creative and interesting desert options and is located in Near Idae Station.  The stuff that we ate at this cafe was some of the best desserts I've ever had in my entire life inside or outside of Korea.  I have been to a ton of dessert cafes in Korea and this is the best out of any of them.  This place gets a very high recommendation.

They only have about five things on the menu.  We had the citrus plate and the volcano cake with ice cream.  The citrus plate was extremely unique and had a ton of different things including ice cream, meringue and cheesecake.  This plate was outstanding.  The volcano cake was also amazing.  The flavor of the chocolate was fantastic and the outside brownie like part was amazing and went great with the contrasting cold of the ice cream.

Citrus Plate  (This item is no longer on the menu)

Volcano Cake and Ice Cream

Tiramisu

Chocolate Eclair

Just Dessert is a must go to place for anyone who enjoys desserts and cakes.

New Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 이화여대1안길 12

Old Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 대현동 90-7 

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Google Maps

Additional Blogs about Just Desserts:

Store Front, Cafe, Several Desserts, Menu, Drinks

Desserts, Store, Menu Pics

Gilujin Cuisine 길우진 퀴진 - Idae

One of my favorite brunch places I have ever been to in all of Korea is called Gilujin Cuisine.  I have liked everything that I have tried at this place.  I have tried the healthy plate, several different types of french toast, and some other dishes.  I have yet to try anything other than the brunch so I cannot vouch for good or bad it is.

Eggplant Pasta

Pancake Brunch

Healthy Plate

Banana French Toast

I highly recommend trying this place if you live in the area.

*Warning: This place is a little difficult to find.  Make sure to check the maps.

Directions: Go out Idae Station Exit 2.  Take a left on the fourth road you pass.  Go down a block and a half.  Look for a small alleyway that is space between two shops on your left.  Go in that alleyway and Gilujin Cuisine is the first shop on the left, almost a u turn from where you came in.  There is usually a sign in the road so look for that.

Address: 서울특별시 서대문구 이화여대7길 31-3 (I am not 100% about this, but this address is at least really really close)

Google Maps

Naver Maps

Additional Blogs about Gilujin Cuisine:

Photos of Store Front, Menu, Food, Maps

Photos of Store Front, Menu, Food

Photos of Restaurant, Food, Menu

More Food Pics!

La Sim 라심 - Idae

From Habjeong to Idae there are a ton of brunch restaurants, but they are not all created equal.  La Sim has some excellent pancakes and you can also order side orders of eggs, sausage, or bacon to go along with the pancakes.

The menu is a bit limited, there are only a few pancake options.  The ones I highly recommend are the Silver Dollar Pancakes (pictured below).  These are some of the best pancakes I've had in Korea.

There are some things you should know about La Sim.  First of all, the store is not open at any consistent times seemingly.  I sometimes go there are it is closed and I don't know why.  Additionally, the person who makes the pancakes goes home at 5 o'clock.  If you want to eat here, you have to get here before 5 or else you can only order drinks.

That being said it is worth going if you have the time, because the food is excellent.

Storefront

Silver Dollar Pancakes

Eggs and Bacon

All together

The lady who runs this place is also really nice.  The fruit that are provided vary and it usually comes with a lollipop and some Lucky Charms cereal.  You can also ask for maple syrup and she will give you some.

Directions: Go out Idae Station Exit 3.  Make your first right and then go left.  Walk a block and a half and La Sim is on the right.

Address: 서울특별시 서대문구 이화여대2가길 24

Old Address System: 서울특별시 서대문구 대현동 53-9 1층

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Google Maps

Additional Blogs about La Sim:

Store Front, Menu, Drinks, Pancakes

Store Front, Pancakes, Drinks

Menu, Pancakes

Pancakes!

Bali Bistro 발리 비스트로 - Sinchon

Bali Bistro is an excellent Indonesian restaurant in Shinchon.  It can be difficult to find a variety of different foreign foods in Seoul, but this place is one excellent option for when you want to eat something different.

I had the lunch special which was reasonably priced.  Most of the food that they serve at this place is either rice or noodle dishes.  I went with a friend and neither of us got either the rice of the noodles.  We had the Coconut Curry Beef and a Mixed Beef Dish.

The lunch specials are all between 7,000 and 9,000 won.

Coconut Curry Beef

Mixed Beef

Mixed Pork

Fried Noodles

I highly recommend checking the place out if you like to try new foods.

Directions: Go out Sinchon Station Exit 6.  Make your first left on the huge road that goes toward Sogang.  On the road going toward Sogang, make your first left then your first right.  Bali Bistro will be on your left.

Address: 서울특별시 마포구 백범로1길 8-15

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Google Maps

Additional Blogs with Information about this Restaurant:

Menu, Restaurant and Food pics

Food Pics

기꾸스시 Giggu Sushi Sinchon

I have tried several of the sushi restaurants in Sinchon, and Giggu sushi stands out as much better than all the rest of the other sushi places.  They got the rice flavoring right, the fish is of great quality, and the price is right.  Any sushi place is going to be a bit on the expensive side.

I went with a friend and had the salmon sushi (연어초밥) for 15,000 won and the large mixed plate (특모든초밥) for 18,000 won.  Both plates were excellent.

Salmon Plate

Large Mixed Sushi Plate

It is a little more expensive, I believe 22,000 if you want the sashimi rather than the sushi.

Directions: Walk out Sinchon station Exit 1.  Make your first right after the department store.  Make your first left.  Giggusushi (기꾸스시) will be on your left.

Address: 서울 서대문구 연세로5다길 35

 Naver Maps

Google Maps

Links to additional blogs about this restaurant (in Korean)

Prices and Excellent Photos

Nice Pics

Prices and Photos

Food Pics and Business Card Photos