Hi, I'm Lee Seo-yoon, a Seoul native office worker who faces the bustling crowds in front of Gangnam Station Exit 11 every day after work. Gangnam Station is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Seoul, but when you actually try to grab a bite, it's often hard to decide where to go because of all the ads. I, too, had my days of wandering around looking for Teheran-ro restaurants for office workers. Today, I've picked out only the real local spots that I've personally waited in line for and marked as after-work dinner spots with my colleagues. This will be really helpful for those who are planning a Shinbundang Line restaurant tour or need a hearty meal after shopping in the Gangnam Station underground shopping center.
Characteristics of Real Restaurants Where Teheran-ro Office Workers Line Up
Restaurants near Gangnam Station that are popular with office workers are characterized by fast turnover, non-stimulating flavors, and high satisfaction for the price. They usually offer affordable lunch menus during lunchtime and a menu that allows you to enjoy a drink after work in the evening.
Gangnam Station Exit 10 has a lot of fancy franchises, but if you go a little further in, there are quite a few hidden restaurants in Yeoksam-dong or near Samsung Town. In particular, the local restaurants in the Bang Bang Intersection area have more office workers than tourists, so you can trust them. I often use services like 'Siksin' when choosing local restaurants near Gangnam Station, and the ratings from actual users are quite accurate.
"Bongpiyang is a Pyeongyang cold noodle restaurant directly operated by Byeokje Galbi." — Siksin Content
The Essence of Pyeongyang Cold Noodles, Bongpiyang Gangnam Branch
Bongpiyang Gangnam Branch is a Pyeongyang cold noodle restaurant where the rich broth and buckwheat noodles harmonize perfectly. It is easily accessible, located a 5-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 5, and a bowl of cold noodles with a rich meat flavor after work is enough to wash away the day's fatigue.
This is also a good choice for those looking for a restaurant with parking near Gangnam Station. Valet parking is available. However, the price of ₩17,000 ($13) for a bowl of Pyeongyang cold noodles can be a bit 부담스러울 수 있어요 (burdensome). Still, I feel it's worth it when you eat it with pork ribs made with Byeokje Galbi's know-how. Here's a waiting tip: use the CatchTable remote queuing system or visit after 1 PM.
Choosing Between Gangnam Station Exit 11 and SinNonhyeon Station Food Alley
The area from Gangnam Station Exit 11 to SinNonhyeon Station is a district with a concentration of Gangnam Station date spots and Instagrammable restaurants. From fusion Korean restaurants to Gangnam Station handmade burger restaurants, there is a wide range of choices, making it easy to find a restaurant that suits your taste.
If you walk towards the SinNonhyeon Station Food Alley, you will see places with the 'The Table 2021' certification logo, which you can think of as a trusted local restaurant certification mark. The Gangnam Station brunch cafes that I often go to are also gathered in this area. After your meal, I recommend taking the Seoul City Tour Bus and touring Seoul's night view spots.
Sigol Yachae Doenjang, Which Catches Both Affordability and Taste
Sigol Yachae Doenjang is a long-established restaurant that has been in the Gangnam Station Exit 9 area for over 30 years, and is famous for its savory Cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) and bibimbap. It's a 5-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 4, so it's great for a hearty meal after work, and it's also famous as a Gangnam Station solo dining spot because you can eat alone.
When you order Cheonggukjang, it comes with various seasoned vegetables that you can mix and eat with rice, and it's not easy to get this kind of home-cooked feel in the middle of Gangnam for ₩11,000 ($8). The downside is that the inside of the restaurant is a bit small and there is a long wait during lunchtime. I usually go alone around 2 PM to enjoy a leisurely meal.
Comparison of Major Local Restaurants in Gangnam Station
| Item | Bongpiyang Gangnam Branch | Sigol Yachae Doenjang | Ttam Ttam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Menu | Pyeongyang Cold Noodles, Pork Ribs | Sigol Yachae Doenjang, Cheonggukjang | Spicy Beef Tripe Rice Noodles |
| Location | 5-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 5 | 4-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 9 | 6-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 11 |
| Average Price Range | ₩17,000 ~ ₩30,000 ($13 ~ $23) | ₩11,000 ~ ₩15,000 ($8 ~ $11) | ₩15,000 ~ ₩20,000 ($11 ~ $15) |
| Characteristics | Clean broth, valet parking available | Old restaurant vibe, best value for money | Restaurant with a line, fancy visuals |
From Yeongdong Market Old Restaurants to Gangnam Station Cafe Tour
Behind the glitz of Gangnam Station, there are restaurants with deep flavors that have endured for a long time, such as the old restaurants in Yeongdong Market. I often recommend fusion Korean food to foreign friends who come to Korea, and meat restaurants or seafood restaurants inside the market to those who want a local atmosphere.
After your meal, you can't miss the Gangnam Station cafe tour. Finishing the day with a cup of coffee at a rooftop cafe hidden among the tall buildings of Teheran-ro is also the charm of Seoul tourism. If you visit on the weekend, I recommend planning a route that starts with shopping in the Gangnam Station underground shopping center and continues with a Shinbundang Line restaurant tour.
Checklist: Check Before Exploring Gangnam Station Restaurants
- You can reduce the chance of failure by using verified restaurant information selected by office workers.
- You can quickly search for restaurants that suit your purpose by classifying them by theme (solo dining, company dinner, date).
- You can objectively judge the waiting time or service status through ratings and reviews from actual visitors.
Gangnam Station is always changing, but there are definitely local restaurants that maintain unchanging flavors even in the midst of it. The places I've introduced today are focused on 'taste' itself rather than stylish interiors, so you won't be disappointed. Why don't you enjoy a delicious Seoul trip starting from Gangnam Station Exit 11 this weekend? I'll be back with another Seoul restaurant story next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended restaurants for solo dining in Gangnam Station?
Ramen restaurants near Gangnam Station Exit 11 or rice noodle restaurants frequented by Teheran-ro office workers are the most suitable for solo dining. There are many restaurants with well-equipped single seats where you can eat without feeling self-conscious, and the turnover rate is fast, so the waiting time is short even during busy hours.
What is the average price range for Gangnam Station restaurants?
The average price for lunch is around ₩10,000 to ₩15,000 ($8 ~ $11), and the budget for dinner company dinners is ₩30,000 ($23) or more per person. If you're looking for value for money, the best way to save money is to use lunch specials for office workers in the Gangnam Station underground shopping center or in the Yeoksam-dong area.
What is the difference between Gangnam Station Exit 11 and SinNonhyeon Station restaurants?
Exit 11 is home to trendy franchises and cafes, while the SinNonhyeon Station Food Alley has many old local restaurants and bars. Exit 11 is good for light dates or meals while shopping, and the SinNonhyeon Station area is recommended if you want a hearty meat dish or a drink.
How to avoid waiting at real Gangnam Station restaurants?
The most sure way is to visit before 11:30 AM for weekday lunch and before 6 PM for dinner. Avoid peak times when Teheran-ro office workers flock to the area, and use remote queuing in advance for famous restaurants like Bongpiyang that support reservation apps to significantly reduce waiting time.
What are the characteristics of restaurants near Shinbundang Line Gangnam Station?
The area near the Shinbundang Line is adjacent to Samsung Town, so there are many neat and luxurious Korean or Chinese restaurants. It is more relaxed and quieter than the Exit 2 line, so it is highly satisfying for business meetings or families traveling to Seoul.
Sources
- Siksin: Gangnam Station Best 10 Restaurants
- Naver Map and CatchTable store information (as of 2024)