Collected Only the Real Eateries in Hannam-dong! Honest Review of My Top 5 Picks

I've Selected Only the Truly Delicious Places in Hannam-dong

Isn't Hannam-dong really hot these days? My friends keep suggesting we meet there, so I looked around and compiled a list of genuine eateries. I've personally visited all of them, so you can trust my recommendations.

The selection criteria were simple. First, places I've visited with my own money. Second, places I'd revisit. Third, places I can confidently recommend to friends. I only chose places that met all three conditions.

1st Place - ATTA: The New World of Wood-fired Pizza

Location

8-3 Hannam-daero 27-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 1st Floor

Operating Hours

Daily 12:00-22:00 (Break Time 15:00-17:30)

Price Range

Pizza 18,000 KRW~25,000 KRW

Parking

2-3 cars in front of the store, recommend Hangangjin Station Public Parking

The reason I ranked ATTA as number one is simple. The wood-fired pizza is truly art. At first, I was skeptical when a friend said there was a great wood-fired pizza place in Hannam-dong, but it was amazing. I had high expectations since it's made by a famous chef from Seongsu-dong's Izzaro, but it exceeded them.

The store's atmosphere is also really nice. The wood-fired oven is right in the center, so you can watch the pizza-making process. You can see the chef spinning the dough, and the smoke and aroma from the oven really stimulate your appetite. The interior is modern yet warm, making it perfect for a date.

Recommended Menu:

• Jambon Pizza (22,000 KRW) - A must-order every time I visit. The hazelnut butter is a divine touch
• Margherita (18,000 KRW) - The basic of basics, their dough is truly different. They say the tomato sauce is homemade too
• Rizo Pizza (23,000 KRW) - Slightly spicy, balancing out the richness. Perfect with gorgonzola cheese
• Burrata Pizza (24,000 KRW) - The creamy burrata cheese bursts in your mouth

The pizza dough straight from the wood-fired oven is on a whole different level. It's crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, making you realize it's true Neapolitan pizza. The dough itself is so flavorful that it's delicious even without toppings. The hazelnut butter on the Jambon Pizza is truly a divine touch. It's sweet and nutty, making it addictive.

What I personally liked the most was how friendly the staff were. If you have any questions about the pizza, they explain everything in detail, and they recommend dishes to first-timers. They also inform you of the expected waiting time, so you can spend time at a nearby cafe while waiting.

2nd Place - BEP: The Standard of Spicy Brisket Pho

Location

Basement, 23 Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours

11:00-21:00 (Break Time 15:00-17:00)

Price Range

Pho 10,000 KRW~13,000 KRW

Seating

8 tables, can accommodate 12-15 people simultaneously

BEP is already famous for its Seongsu-dong main branch, but the Hannam branch has its own charm. It's Vietnamese pho but made to perfectly suit Korean tastes, so even first-timers can enjoy it without hesitation. At first, the spicy brisket pho with tomatoes seemed odd, but it turned out to be really delicious.

The store is in the basement, but it's brighter and cleaner than expected. The tables are spaced out enough to eat comfortably, and it's also great for solo dining. The staff are friendly, and the food comes out quickly, making it perfect for lunchtime visits.

Recommended Menu:

• Spicy Brisket Pho (12,000 KRW) - The signature dish, spicy yet addictive
• Brisket & Beef Pho (11,000 KRW) - Really hearty, with a generous amount of meat
• Seafood Fried Rice (12,000 KRW) - The smoky flavor is amazing, many order it as a set with pho
• Fresh Spring Rolls (8,000 KRW) - Refreshing, perfect for cleansing the palate

The broth has a really deep flavor. It's spicy yet savory, and the brisket is incredibly tender. At first, the tomatoes seemed strange, but they actually balance out the richness of the broth. The noodles are chewy, and the aroma of the spices is delightful.

The portions are really generous, so even men will feel full. The seafood fried rice has an amazing smoky flavor. It's packed with shrimp and squid, and each grain of rice is distinct. It's the perfect amount to share with pho.

Personally, I think it's the best pho in all of Hannam-dong. It's not the authentic Vietnamese taste, but it's well-localized to suit Korean preferences.

3rd Place - Nari's House: The Legend of Frozen Pork Belly

Location

245 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours

14:00-24:00 (Closed on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month)

Price Range

Frozen Pork Belly 15,000 KRW per serving

Atmosphere

Old-style barbecue restaurant, simple yet cozy atmosphere

When it comes to frozen pork belly in Hannam-dong, this is the place. It's a genuine old establishment that's been in the same spot for over 40 years. The wait is really long, so even though it opens at 2 PM, you need to be there by 1:30 PM to get in during the first seating. At first, I wondered what's so special about frozen pork belly, but it was a whole different world.

The store is truly an old-style barbecue restaurant. There's no fancy interior, but it has a cozy atmosphere. The owner is really friendly, and there are many regulars, giving it a neighborhood eatery vibe. The tables are old-style, and the side dishes are made with care, just like home-cooked meals.

Recommended Menu:

• Frozen Pork Belly (15,000 KRW per serving) - Their unique frozen pork belly, truly special
• Cheonggukjang (7,000 KRW) - Perfect with the pork belly, the savory flavor is top-notch
• Doenjang Stew (7,000 KRW) - Tastes like homemade, savory and rich
• Steamed Rice (1,500 KRW) - A must-have with the meal

I never knew frozen pork belly could be this delicious. It's a complete misconception to think of it as regular frozen pork belly. Here, they age fresh meat in a special way before freezing it, so the taste is completely different. It's less greasy and very savory. The more you chew, the more the natural umami of the meat comes out.

The cheonggukjang is also really savory and rich, just like homemade. If your mouth feels greasy from the pork belly, a spoonful of cheonggukjang is perfect. The doenjang stew also has a real home-cooked feel. It's not easy to find this taste in stores these days, and I thought it was really impressive.

The side dishes are all made with care. The kimchi, bean sprouts, and radish salad all taste like they were made at home. The kimchi is especially delicious, so you could eat a whole bowl of rice with just the kimchi.

4th Place - Number One Yang Kkochi: The Essence of Skewered Lamb

Location

2nd Floor, 76 Embassy Road, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours

Tue-Sun 16:00-02:00 (Closed on Mondays)

Price Range

Lamb Skewer 2,500 KRW each, Lamb Chop 8,000 KRW each

Atmosphere

Chinese restaurant vibe, lively and bustling atmosphere

This is the famous place visited by Kim Min-seok and DAY6's Young K on the show 'Omniscient Interfering View.' There's no gamey smell typical of lamb skewers, so even those who don't like lamb can enjoy it. It's a genuine old establishment that's been in the same spot for over 40 years.

When you go up to the second floor, it really feels like a Chinese restaurant. Each table has an automatic rotating grill, making it fun to grill your own skewers. It's bustling with customers, but that's part of the charm. Families come and chat lively, creating a warm atmosphere.

Recommended Menu:

• Lamb Skewer (2,500 KRW each) - The basic of basics, a must-try menu
• Lamb Chop (8,000 KRW each) - Truly juicy, a must-try menu
• Huangjin Weimi (18,000 KRW) - Chinese dishes are also delicious, perfect with lamb skewers
• Spicy Lamb Skewer (3,000 KRW each) - A must for those who like spicy food
• Stir-fried Lamb Noodles (12,000 KRW) - The noodle dishes are really tasty too

It's fun to grill on the automatic rotating grill. The lamb chop is as tender and juicy as eating Korean beef ribs. The more you chew, the richer the meat flavor becomes, and the subtle aroma of spices rises. It's a perfect combination with a glass of Tsingtao beer.

Huangjin Weimi is also really delicious. It's stir-fried lamb with a sweet and spicy sauce that's a real rice thief. If you only eat lamb skewers, you might get tired of it, but if you eat it with stir-fried dishes like this, you won't get tired and can keep eating.

The staff are also really friendly. They teach you how to grill lamb skewers and explain the recommended menu to first-timers. There's a reason they've been in the same spot for over 40 years. It's not just about the taste, but also the warmth of the place.

5th Place - LICK SIP: The New World of Whiskey Ice Cream

Location

1st Floor, 16-5 Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours

Tue/Wed 18:00-24:00, Thu-Sat 12:00-01:00, Sun 13:00-23:00 (Closed on Mondays)

Price Range

Whiskey Ice Cream 8,000 KRW~12,000 KRW

Atmosphere

Modern and sophisticated interior, mature atmosphere

This is the place introduced by Park Na-rae on 'I Live Alone.' Whiskey ice cream, at first, I was curious about what it would taste like, but it's really unique and delicious. I think it's one of the places that represent the hip culture of Hannam-dong.

The store's atmosphere is really nice. The dim yet warm lighting and modern interior give it a mature feel. If you sit at the counter, you can watch the ice cream-making process and chat with the staff. It's perfect for a date.

Recommended Menu:

• Milk + Bourbon Whiskey Ice Cream (10,000 KRW) - The most basic yet high-quality menu
• Chocolate + Single Malt Whiskey (12,000 KRW) - Truly an adult taste, the harmony of chocolate and whiskey is fantastic
• Yogurt + Makgeolli (9,000 KRW) - A new menu, localized with a Korean taste
• Vanilla + Rum (11,000 KRW) - Sweet and fragrant taste

It's ice cream, but the whiskey aroma subtly rises. At first, it seemed strange, but it blends really well. The alcohol content isn't high, so even those who can't drink might be okay. The lamb shape is really cute.

Chocolate + Single Malt Whiskey is truly an adult taste. The bitter chocolate and smoky whiskey aroma go really well together. I recommend it to those who prefer bitter flavors over sweet ones.

Yogurt + Makgeolli is a new menu, and it was really refreshing. It's localized with a Korean taste, and it's popular among foreign friends too. It's sweet and sour, with a hint of the unique savory taste of makgeolli.

The cafe atmosphere is mature and nice, making it perfect for a date. It's great for conversations, and it's the perfect place to finish off with dessert after visiting other eateries in Hannam-dong. The staff are friendly and provide detailed explanations about the ice cream.

Hannam-dong Eateries Completion Tips

Why These Eateries Were Chosen

There are really many eateries in Hannam-dong. There's a reason I chose these 5 places.

ATTA is one of the top wood-fired pizza places in Seoul. The chef, who also runs Izzaro in Seongsu-dong, makes pizzas that are truly art-level.

BEP is a must-visit for Vietnamese pho in Hannam-dong. The Seongsu-dong main branch is famous, but the Hannam branch has its own charm.

Nari's House is a 40-year-old establishment, the original of frozen pork belly in Seoul. It's really precious to have such a traditional place in Hannam-dong.

Number One Yang Kkochi is famous enough to be on TV, but the taste is truly guaranteed. Even beginners to lamb skewers can enjoy it without hesitation.

LICK SIP represents the hip culture of Hannam-dong. With its unique concept of whiskey ice cream, it's loved by many.

In Conclusion

Hannam-dong is truly a treasure trove of eateries. Each one is unique and delicious, so be sure to visit. I've personally visited all these places with my own money, so you won't regret it.

Next time, I'll come back with a Hannam-dong cafe edition. There are as many great cafes as there are eateries.

*All prices and operating hours are as of August 2024, please check before visiting.*