SETI Live Hall

Hongdae <Kamiya>. Okonomikatsu. The menu is broad. A crisply fried, moderately thick Jeju black-pork cutlet is covered with okonomiyaki sauce and bonito flakes. The portion is generous, yet the price remains below KRW 10,000. In a district where stores change every six months, a place thriving for fifteen years has its reasons.

Hongdae <Gilsang Lamb Skewers>. It may not feel irreplaceable, but the existence of a restaurant this accessible that reliably serves one familiar, satisfying dish after another is extremely valuable. Everyone in the group was highly satisfied overall. Another dependable place has been added to the list.

Hongik Univ. Station <Qmen>. A new ramen shop serving only shoyu ramen. Even the basic bowl is generous and properly supplied with chashu. The fundamentals are solid in every respect. The soup is a double of chicken and katsuobushi. There is no noodle-doneness option yet and the default is soft, but the owner will cook them a little less if asked.

Hongik Univ. <Darak Two>. A very old restaurant specializing in chicken *gomtang*. The chicken kalguksu uses the same broth. Taste it before dissolving the *dadaegi*; it is already complete enough to make leaving it untouched seem plausible. The picked chicken is tender, and the noodles are cooked well, making the bowl easy to eat. Quite good.

Hongdae <Interactive Coffee Bar>. Signature Rocher Cream Mocha. The lighting is low, and both the music selection and audio system are distinctive. The cream is startlingly delicate and smooth, and the Nutella-and-espresso base is good. From the objects and lighting to the tables, nothing feels casually chosen; the resulting sense of luxury is satisfying.

Hongdae <Fullynamite>. Pakota Burger. Romaine, grilled onion, bacon, pineapple, pork neck, ricotta, onion sauce, American cheese, and mayonnaise. Delicious. Every ingredient speaks for itself, yet they work in synergy. The beef chili on the potatoes is fairly hot. Everything was good, but eating it neatly is impossible.

Sangsu <Men Takamusho>. The chef is said to have come from Menya Musashi, and that style is clearly present. This level of reproduction earns the right to use the name. There is one menu item: tsukemen. The dipping broth is thick, and the noodles taste excellent. I was satisfied enough to tolerate a modest wait in the future. It is welcome to have a dedicated tsukemen shop.

Hongik Univ. <Tsukeru>. Known for tsukemen and mazesoba, so I visited with company after an exhibition. It differs from Kanda Soba, but this well-balanced style is always welcome. Every flavor remains alive, from the varied accompaniments and katsuobushi powder to the sauce. The menma in particular is excellent. It has been a long time since I had menma this good.

Hongdae <Rosso 1924>. An APN-certified pizzeria. Don Adolfo pizza and bufala Margherita. Excellent. Every element a well-made Neapolitan wood-fired pizza should have is present at a high level: soft dough, good cheese, tomato paste, and tomatoes. Good location and atmosphere too.

Hongdae <Sneakers Burger Club>. I rarely praise this strongly, but for so-called “American flavor,” I genuinely cannot think of anywhere in Seoul that surpasses it. Bun, patty, cheese, jalapeño, grilled onion—every element is delicious. The potatoes are excellent too; dip them in mayonnaise.