[Dongguk 101] Must-go Restaurant near Dongguk University Station

   For university students, focusing on their studies is important, but enjoying healthy and delicious meals is also important. For international students new to Dongguk University, it may not be easy to decide where to eat besides the campus cafeteria. This article introduces popular restaurants near the university that are frequently visited by Donggukians. By providing information on various restaurants and recommended dishes, the Dongguk Post would like to guide international students to places around Dongguk University Station.

1. Công 365

Address: 27-71, Dongho-ro 24-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 

(located 2 minutes away from Exit 2 of Dongguk University Station)

Công 365 is a Vietnamese food restaurant run by Vietnamese locals. The restaurant has a large interior space and outdoor seating, so it is good to visit with friends.

-Main menu: Beef rice noodles (Pho bo), Seafood fried rice, Beef banh mi (Banh my bo)

-Recommended menu: Seafood fried rice, Bun Cha

-Price range: Pho bo 10,900 won / Banh my bo 7,900 won / Bun cha 13,900 won

-Notes

You can choose one of the diverse set menus, reducing the time spent thinking about what to order. For a group of four, I recommend ordering one set menu and two extra dishes.

2. Jina-ne Tteokbokki

Address: 52, Toegye-ro 56-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

(located a 3-minute away by foot from Exit 2 of Dongguk University Station)

Jina-ne Tteokbokki is a very cost-effective Korean snack bar. The restaurant sells various kinds of  Korean snacks such as gimbap, tteokbokki, and ramen. It is so famous that it has even appeared on TV shows and YouTube.

-Main menu: Instant tteokbokki, Spicy chewy noodles, 

-Recommended menu: Regular rice tteokbokki, Gimbap

-Price range: Instant tteokbokki 15,000 won for two people / Regular rice tteokbokki 4,000 won for one person

-Taste: Tteokbokki is not that spicy, so even people who cannot eat spicy food can eat it.

-Notes: Closed every Saturday

Tteokbokki is not too spicy, so those who are not good at dealing with spicyness can try it out.

3. Sushido

Address: 37 Dongho-ro 30-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (located next to Palpal Restaurant)

Sushi-do is a restaurant that sells sushi and sashimi. The amount of food is reasonable and the price is not expensive, so it is a good restaurant to visit when you want to eat sashimi during lunch.

-Main menu: Lunch sushi sets, Sushido sushi platters, Sashimi

-Recommended menu: Lunch sushi sets, Sashimi rice bowl

-Price range: Lunch sushi sets 9,500 won / Sushido sushi platters 12,000 won / Sashimi rice bowl 9,500 won

-Notes

Sometimes the restaurant is closed without additional notice, so contacting the place before visiting is recommended.

4. Palpal Restaurant

Address: 39 1st floor, Dongho-ro 30-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 

(a 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Dongguk University, next to Sushi Island)

Palpal Restaurant is a Japanese restaurant. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is cozy, and it sells various Japanese meals. The inside of the restaurant is not spacious and consists of tables for 2-4 people.

-Main menu: Katsu-dong, Nnabe, Curry. 

-Recommended menu: Buckwheat menu (in the summer), Kimchi Katsu nabe (in the winter)

-Price range: Most of the dishes are priced in the early 10,000 won range.

Katsu-dong 10,000 won / Kimchi Katsu nabe 13,000 won

-Taste: There are many ingredients in one dish, so you can taste various flavors. The food is sweet and salty overall.

-Notes

1) Due to its popularity, weekday lunchtimes are often crowded. 

2) Closed every Sunday

5. Taegeukdang

Address: In front of Exit 2 of Dongguk University Station

Taegeukdang is the oldest bakery in Seoul and has a tradition of more than 100 years. There is a wide variety of breads and traditional snacks that are hard to find in regular bakery shops.

-Main menu: Monaka, castella, and jeonbyeong

-Recommended menu: Monaka, Sweet Red-bean bread, 

-Price range: Monaka 3,300 won / Red-bean bread 3,000 won / Iced Americano 4,600 won / Cake 15,000 won ~ 80,000 won

-Taste: Not too salty or sweet, mild flavor overall

-Notes

Taegeukdang is affiliated with Dongguk University, so all Donggukians can get 10 percent off the overall price if you show your student ID.

6. Haus Coffee and Dessert

Address: Hanok Cafe located in Jangchungdan Park, which is located at the main gate of Dongguk University

Haus Coffee and Dessert is cafe. It is spacious and open because it consists of the main hall and a separate building. 

-Main menu: Café Latte, Strawberry Latte, Egg Tart, Croissant

-Recommended menu: Croissant Jambon, Cinnamon Danish, Jangchung Green Smoothie

-Price range: Drinks 6,000 won ~ 8,000 won / Bakery 4,000 won ~ 6,000 won

-Taste: Jangchung Greensmoody and traditional teas are healthy flavors, and breads are sweet.

-Notes

Weekend lunchtime can be very crowded. 

7. Pros and Cons

Address: 60 1F, Toegye-ro 56-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (located on the way to Jina-ne Tteokbokki)

Pros and Cons is a cafe famous for ciabatas and sandwiches. The atmosphere of the cafe is calm, and this cafe is decorated with exposed interiors, bringing a modern feeling. And it is decorated with props such as LP plates, so it has visual elements. The restaurant also sells goods such as T-shirts and mugs.

-Main menu: Ciabatas, Sandwiches, Salt butter sticks

-Recommended menu: Ciabata Sandwiche, financier

-Price range: Drinks 4,800 won ~ 12,000 won / Ciabatas 3,000 won / Sandwiches 7,000 won ~ 8,000 won