The Amazing Restaurant Near Seolleung Station, Dolsan Lighthouse House! A Story of Being Completely Hooked on Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew

Finding That Very Restaurant Featured on Live Today

A few days ago, I was watching TV at home and saw a special on the top 5 kimchi stews on Live Today. One of them was Dolsan Lighthouse House near Seolleung Station. The menu name, Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew, was so unique and intriguing that I stored it in my mind immediately. Yesterday, I had to meet a friend in Gangnam, so I said, "Ah! Let's go to that place!" and headed straight there.

To be honest, the combination of gat kimchi and pork ribs was a bit unfamiliar at first. But on the show, they mentioned that they use gat kimchi aged for a year from Dolsan, Yeosu. Hearing that made me really curious!

Just a 3-Minute Walk from Seolleung Station Exit 1! Easy to Find Location

Dolsan Lighthouse House is really easy to find. If you exit from Seolleung Station Exit 1 and walk straight, you'll see it right away. The address is 16 Teheran-ro 70-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the first floor, and since it's in Daechi-dong, it's very accessible. My friend was also surprised, saying, "Oh? It's really close!"

The sign is easy to spot, so you don't have to worry about missing it. However, when we went around 7 PM, there were already quite a few people waiting.

Be Prepared to Wait!

As expected from a restaurant featured on TV, there was a wait. We waited about 20 minutes, but it was quicker than expected. The staff kindly guided us through the waiting process and let us look at the menu while we waited.

A tip: they said it's relatively quiet during weekday lunch hours or from 3-5 PM. It's best to be prepared for a wait during dinner hours or weekends!

The Atmosphere is Just Like a Cozy Family-Run Korean Restaurant

Upon entering, it felt like a typical Korean restaurant. Not too fancy, nor shabby, it had the vibe of a neighborhood restaurant run with care by a family. The tables were spacious enough for groups, and it wasn't overwhelming for just the two of us.

Inside the store, there were jars of gat kimchi displayed, making me think, "Ah, they are really serious about their gat kimchi." The owner said they personally bring the gat kimchi from Yeosu and age it.

Deciding on the Menu, But the Answer is Obvious

Looking at the menu, the Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew was 21,000 won. At first, I thought it was a bit pricey, but later I realized the portion was huge and the taste was amazing, so it felt worth it.

There were other menu items like stir-fried pork, kimchi stew, soybean paste stew, etc. But of course, we couldn't not order the signature Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew! My friend and I ordered one Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew and two bowls of rice.

Finally, the Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew Arrives, First Impressions?

When the food arrived, the visual was truly impressive! The gat kimchi and pork ribs were simmering red in the earthenware pot... I had to take a picture first, haha.

The smell was really unique. It definitely had a different aroma from regular kimchi stew. The distinctive sharp scent of gat kimchi mixed with the pork broth was something I'd never smelled before, and it was fascinating.

The Moment I Took a Spoonful... Completely Addictive!

At first taste, I honestly thought, "Huh? What is this?" It was completely different from the kimchi stew I usually eat. But as I kept eating, it became really addictive! Gat kimchi is much crunchier and has a sharper taste than regular kimchi, and when it meets pork, it's a fantastic combination.

Especially the pork ribs were really tender. They were cooked so well that the meat easily fell off the bone, and there wasn't too much fat, so it wasn't greasy. My friend also said, "This is really good! Why didn't I know about this before?" and couldn't stop eating.

The Broth is Truly a Masterpiece

But the most impressive part was the broth. It had a really deep and rich flavor, with no taste of artificial seasonings, just a truly natural taste. The refreshing flavor from the gat kimchi combined with the rich broth from the pork bones... it's a taste that's hard to describe in words.

As I kept sipping the broth, the rice disappeared quickly. My friend and I even considered ordering another bowl of rice because the broth was so delicious. We ended up ordering one more bowl of rice, haha.

The Staff are Really Friendly

The food was great, but the service was also excellent. The owner came out personally to explain about the gat kimchi and checked in occasionally to see if the food was too spicy.

They were quick to refill water and side dishes, and overall, the service was very satisfying. It had the warmth typical of a family-run restaurant.

How's the Value for Money?

The Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew is 21,000 won, which I initially thought was a bit expensive. But after trying it, I found the portion was huge, the ingredients were good, and the taste was excellent, so the value for money felt sufficient.

Especially since two friends can share one Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew and be full, it's a really delicious meal for about 10,000 won per person. Considering the prices in Gangnam, it's actually quite affordable.

Here's a Tip for Visiting!

Personally, I recommend coming in the afternoon from 3-5 PM or after lunch hours. It's really crowded during dinner time. And since there are many group visitors, it's a good idea to call ahead!

Check Out These Nearby Attractions

After eating at Dolsan Lighthouse House, there are quite a few cafes nearby. Since it's near Seolleung Station, there are many cafes and places to shop, making it a good date course. We had a coffee at a nearby cafe to digest after eating.

And since it's in Daechi-dong, transportation is really convenient. It's easy to get there by subway, and the bus stop is close, so accessibility is really good.

Honest Overall Impression, Would You Visit Again?

To be really honest, at first, I was skeptical, thinking, "What is Gat Kimchi Pork Rib Stew?" But after actually trying it, it was a really special taste. It has a completely different charm from typical kimchi stew or pork rib stew.

My friend was also completely satisfied, saying, "Let's come again next time!" and I'm already planning a revisit, haha. This time, I plan to bring my parents. They love gat kimchi.

If you're looking for a special Korean restaurant in Gangnam, Seolleung, or Daechi-dong, I highly recommend it! There's a reason it was featured on Live Today. Once you visit, you'll surely be hooked like I was!