Seongsu-dong Value-for-Money Restaurants TOP 5 - Real Hot Spot Restaurants Discovered by a Foodie

Seongsu-dong, which I kept seeing on Instagram, when I actually visited...

With Seongsu-dong emerging as a hot spot these days, I've visited many cafes, but I wasn't sure which restaurants were good. So this month, I went on a food tour in Seongsu-dong with my friends!

I was worried because I heard that prices in Seongsu-dong are high, but I was surprised to find many places with good value for money. Each of the five places had its own charm, so I was really satisfied. Especially, there was a wide range of choices from old traditional places to newly opened trendy spots.

At first, I was unsure where to go from Seongsu Station, but I found that the restaurants were concentrated near the station, making it easy to walk around. Each restaurant had its own unique characteristics, so I didn't get bored even after walking around all day.

1st Place - Family Handmade Noodles and Bossam

Location: 134 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (5-minute walk from Ttukseom Station Exit 1)
Price Range: Bossam Set 15,000 KRW per person
Hours: Daily 11:30-22:00

Why is it ranked 1st?
It became even more famous after appearing on 'I Live Alone'! It's a traditional place run by the second generation since 1988, and the taste is really deep. The Bossam Set, which includes bossam, noodles, and rice for 15,000 KRW, offers value for money that's hard to find elsewhere.

Initially, I didn't expect much because the exterior looked like an old snack bar, but inside, it was neatly organized, and the staff were really friendly. The tables were spaced out enough to dine comfortably.

The bossam had no smell, and the ratio of fat to lean meat was perfect, so it wasn't overwhelming. The ssamjang tasted homemade and was really delicious. The noodle soup, made with bone broth simmered for over 12 hours, was hearty, and the noodles were chewy and nice. The rice with millet was special, and its savory taste paired well with the bossam.

Above all, the side dishes were clean and neat, as if they were homemade. The kimchi was perfectly fermented and refreshing, and the bean sprout salad was crunchy and whetted my appetite.

2nd Place - Afternoon Rice Bowl Specialty

Location: 44-7 Seoul Forest 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 1st floor
Price Range: Rice Bowl 14,000-19,000 KRW
Hours: Weekdays 11:30-21:00, Weekends 11:30-20:00

It's a rice bowl specialty that's been operating in the same spot for 7 years. The interior has a cozy and warm atmosphere, making it perfect for dining alone. There's a counter seat, so it's not awkward to come alone.

The menu names were poetic and special. They had names like 'Afternoon Upstream the River' and 'Letter from the Sea,' which felt emotional. The owner said they personally named the menu items.

Recommended Menu: Afternoon Upstream the River (Salmon + Avocado) 19,000 KRW
The salmon was really fresh, and the balance with the avocado was perfect. The salmon thickness was just right, and its texture was smooth, melting in the mouth. The avocado was well-ripened, and its creamy taste matched well with the salmon.

You can choose between brown rice and white rice, and I chose brown rice, which had a nutty flavor that I liked. Breaking the onsen tamago on top of the rice bowl and mixing it made it even softer and nuttier.

The small dessert and tea served as a dessert were really thoughtful. It felt like being in a small Japanese omakase restaurant. Although the price is a bit high, considering the quality, it was satisfying.

3rd Place - Men Tsurugi Seongsu Branch

Location: 10 Seongsui-ro 20-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Room 103
Price Range: Ramen 10,000-14,500 KRW
Hours: Daily 11:00-21:30 (No break time)

It's only a 2-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3, making it very accessible. The wooden interior gave it the feel of a local Japanese restaurant. From the entrance, there were Japanese menus, and the interior was small but tidy.

Sitting at the counter, I could watch the cooking process, which was interesting. From boiling the noodles to placing the chashu, everything was done with care. It felt like eating at a real Japanese ramen shop.

I ordered the Spicy Soy Sauce Ramen for 10,500 KRW, and the broth was refreshing and clean, making it perfect for a hangover ramen. The spiciness was just right, making me sweat while eating. The chashu was aged for 12 hours, making it tender without any off-flavors, and the soft-boiled egg was just to my liking.

The noodles were medium-thick and chewy, absorbing the broth well, giving a deep flavor with each bite. The toppings like green onions, seaweed, and bamboo shoots were fresh and crunchy, adding to the texture.

They also provided free rice, which made it more filling when mixed with the broth. The staff greeted in Japanese, and the service was really good.

4th Place - Cham Thai

Location: 67-16 Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 1st floor, Room 102
Price Range: Main Dish 12,000-18,000 KRW
Hours: Daily 11:30-22:00

It's a Thai cuisine specialty located in an alley near Ttukseom Station. The exterior was so clean and pretty, leaving a good first impression. It was easy to find with the Thai flag and a pretty sign at the entrance.

The interior had a cozy and exotic atmosphere. Thai traditional items were appropriately placed, and the tables weren't too close, allowing for comfortable conversations. The lighting was subtle, creating a really nice ambiance.

The menu had a wide variety of authentic Thai dishes. The owner said they learned the recipes directly from Thailand. There were famous dishes like Pad Thai, Som Tam, and Tom Yum Goong, as well as unfamiliar ones, offering a wide range of choices.

I tried the Poo Nim Pad Pong Curry (Soft Shell Crab Curry), and I highly recommend it! The curry was rich and smooth without being greasy, and the slightly spicy taste kept me wanting more. The crab meat was fresh and sweet, pairing perfectly with the curry. It was even better when dipped with naan bread.

Considering the prices in Seongsu-dong, it wasn't burdensome, and I felt it offered good value for money. The owner was really friendly, explaining Thai cuisine in detail and carefully asking about spice levels. It was nice to eat with a good mood!

5th Place - Bagel Land Seongsu Branch

Location: 43-1 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 2nd floor
Price Range: Bagel 4,000-7,000 KRW
Hours: Daily 08:00-20:00

It's a bagel specialty shop that opens early in the morning. If you're looking for a value-for-money brunch in Seongsu-dong, this is the place! It's on the second floor, so it was hard to find at first, but once you go up the stairs, you find a cozy space.

There are a variety of bagels available. From plain to sesame, onion, blueberry, chocolate chip, and more, there are many options to choose from. They also make sandwiches, and you can choose from various fillings like bacon, salmon, avocado, etc.

The bagels were really chewy yet soft, and delicious. The outside was crispy, and the inside was moist, which is exactly the texture I like. The coffee was decent, and the prices were reasonable, making it great for a light meal.

Especially since they open early in the morning, it's perfect for brunch before work or on weekend mornings. There are enough tables, making it a good spot to chat with friends while eating.

Seongsu-dong Restaurant Tour Review

After visiting these 5 places, I found that Seongsu-dong has more value-for-money places than I thought. Each had its own charm, making it a really satisfying day. I especially want to highly recommend Family Handmade Noodles and Bossam. It was definitely worth the wait, even with the queue.

Since Seongsu-dong itself is such a trendy neighborhood, it seems like new restaurants are constantly popping up. From existing traditional places to recently opened stylish restaurants, there are really diverse choices.

Each has its own charm, so it would be good to choose based on your mood or situation. For dining alone, I recommend Afternoon or Men Tsurugi, and for going with friends, Family or Cham Thai. Bagel Land is perfect for a light brunch or morning coffee.

Above all, Seongsu-dong is fun to explore on foot. There are many pretty cafes and accessory shops between the restaurants, so I didn't get bored even after walking around all day.

Next time, I should try a cafe tour in Seongsu-dong! Besides the restaurants, Seongsu-dong also has many pretty cafes. If anyone knows more value-for-money restaurants in Seongsu-dong, please recommend them in the comments. I want to keep updating and complete the Seongsu-dong restaurant map!