After completing a full loop around Garosu-gil, it was finally time to explore the dining alleys of Sinsa-dong. While the shopping streets usually get most of the attention, the neighborhood's food scene is just as rewarding. One place worth mentioning is Gangnam Market, an underground dining hall filled with casual eateries serving everything from Korean barbecue and spicy braised chicken to kimchi pancakes and gukbap at reasonable prices. I've visited it many times before, so I decided to skip it this time. Instead, I planned the evening around four stops I had been looking forward to. Ever since feeling slightly disappointed by the golbaengi soup at Hannamdaek on my last visit, I had wanted to try Sinsa-dong Golbaengi, which came highly recommended by a friend.
That became the first stop of the night. From there, the plan continued with fried chicken and beer at Dosimaekju, dinner and wine at the locals' favorite Jaju Sikdang, and finally a late-night coffee at Two Hundred. Each place offered a completely different atmosphere, from old-school seafood taverns to lively pubs and quiet neighborhood restaurants. Among them, Dosimaekju has recently become one of the hottest pubs around Sinsa-dong, making it the perfect second stop before the evening gradually slowed down over coffee.
Sinsa-dong Golbaengi (신사동골뱅이)
Walk down from Serosu-gil and turn right at the corner, and you'll soon spot Goban Sikdang, one of the area's most popular Korean barbecue restaurants. Just beside it, tucked into a semi-basement space, is Sinsa-dong Golbaengi. Although the sign is easy to notice, the entrance can be surprisingly easy to miss. Unlike a typical basement restaurant, this old-style Korean pub sits below street level with windows facing outside, giving it the nostalgic atmosphere of a neighborhood tavern. The menu centers on wild white sea snails harvested from Korea's east coast, prepared as soup, sliced seafood, or spicy salad, alongside seasonal seafood platters featuring live octopus, abalone, and other fresh catches. My previous golbaengi soup at Hannamdaek had left me wanting more—the shellfish was slightly chewy and carried a faint fishy aroma—so I came here on the recommendation of a friend who insisted this was the place to try.
We ordered the fresh golbaengi soup for two (45,000 KRW). Served with fish cake, green onions, onions, and generous pieces of sea snail, the broth was the real highlight. I've always believed that a clear broth reveals the quality of the ingredients better than a heavily seasoned red soup, and this one proved exactly why. It was clean, spicy, and packed with deep savory flavor, while the golbaengi itself was firm, naturally sweet, and free of any unpleasant smell. I had expected a long wait after hearing how busy the restaurant usually gets, but arriving right at 6 p.m., just before the after-work crowd, meant we walked straight in without queuing. The portion wasn't large enough to leave us completely full, and adding udon noodles was tempting, but we had already planned fried chicken for the next stop. While many locals visit after Korean barbecue as a second round, I actually recommend doing the opposite if you're exploring Sinsa-dong. Great barbecue is easy to find anywhere in Seoul, but evenings like this are a chance to discover flavors that feel much more connected to the neighborhood itself.
Address: 32 Gangnam-daero 156-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul [View on Google Maps]
Dosimaekju (도시맥주)
Run by former UFC featherweight Jung Chan-sung, better known to MMA fans as "The Korean Zombie," Dosimaekju has quickly become one of the busiest evening hangouts near Sinsa Station. The bold storefront makes it almost impossible to miss, and stepping inside, it's easy to see why the place has developed such a loyal following. The interior is energetic and contemporary, attracting young professionals looking to unwind after work. At the entrance, a life-sized Zombie character statue inspired by Jung Chan-sung has become one of the pub's signature photo spots. Popular menu items include the Zombie's Choice 1kg Half-and-Half Chicken (21,000 KRW), 1kg Fried or Seasoned Chicken (19,000–21,000 KRW), Green Onion Kimchi Jjapagetti (9,000 KRW), and Pikachu Pork Cutlet (5,000 KRW). Since I almost always prefer original fried chicken over sweet sauces, the classic fried version was an easy decision. It arrived perfectly golden, with an exceptionally crisp coating and tender, juicy meat inside.
The first and second floors are open dining spaces filled with conversations, music, and the unmistakable energy of a Seoul night out, while the third floor offers private rooms that can be reserved for a quieter gathering. Of course, fried chicken and beer are easy to find almost anywhere in Korea, but places like this are about far more than the food itself. The lively crowd, casual atmosphere, and playful interior all contribute to an experience that feels distinctly urban. Happy hour runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., when the 1kg chicken is sometimes offered at half price. Promotions may vary, so it's worth checking before ordering.
Address: 43 Gangnam-daero 152-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (1F–3F) [View on Google Maps]
Jaju Sikdang (자주식당)
Our third stop of the evening was Jaju Sikdang, a longtime neighborhood favorite quietly tucked away in Sinsa-dong. It's the kind of place that rarely appears on trending restaurant lists but earns its reputation through loyal regulars and word of mouth. Pairing traditional Korean dishes with wine, it feels more like a hidden dining room than a typical restaurant. The menu features dishes such as Beef Jeon (31,000 KRW), Steamed Beef Brisket with Vegetables (34,000 KRW), Tofu and Pollack Roe Soup (24,000 KRW), and Whole Shrimp Jeon (26,000 KRW). Unable to choose between the beef and shrimp pancakes, I ordered the half-and-half platter together with a bottle of Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon. Surprisingly, Korean jeon and red wine make a remarkably balanced combination.
Almost every dish here comes highly recommended, making it difficult to order anything disappointing. What stood out even more than the food was the warmth of the experience. The owner patiently explained each dish, suggested wines that paired well with the menu, and created an atmosphere that felt genuinely welcoming rather than simply professional. The food carried the comforting feeling of a carefully prepared homemade meal, while the soft lighting gave the restaurant the quiet charm of a neighborhood hideaway. By the time dinner was over, I had already decided that this would be one of the very first places I'd bring an overseas friend looking to experience a side of Seoul that most visitors never see.
Address: 17 Gangnam-daero 156-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul [View on Google Maps]
Two Hundred (투헌드레드)
After three rounds centered around food and drinks, I wanted the evening to end somewhere a little slower. Two Hundred, a terrace café that transforms into a bar at night, felt like the perfect final stop. By the time I arrived, it was already around 10 p.m. During bar hours, coffee is priced higher than it is during the day, and my decaffeinated iced latte came to 9,000 KRW. Along with coffee, the menu also includes cocktails and comfort dishes such as carbonara and rosé tteokbokki, making it just as suitable for a late-night drink as it is for a quiet coffee break.
The floor-to-ceiling windows were folded completely open, allowing the warm early-summer air to flow through the space. Sitting by the window, I watched both locals and overseas visitors enjoying cocktails while the neighborhood gradually settled into the night. The coffee was excellent, but it was the atmosphere that stayed with me long after the last sip. Between the open terrace, the relaxed crowd, and the lingering warmth of a June evening in Seoul, it became one of those places where the setting alone makes the price feel entirely worthwhile.
Address: 46 Gangnam-daero 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (1F) [View on Google Maps]
A Day Well Spent in Sinsa-dong
What began as an afternoon shopping trip naturally turned into an evening of great food, good conversations, and memorable places. Starting around four in the afternoon made all the difference. While most office workers were still finishing their day, the streets were noticeably calmer, the stores were easy to browse, and even popular restaurants welcomed guests without long queues. It's one of those small advantages that makes traveling at your own pace feel especially rewarding.
People often say Garosu-gil has lost the energy it once had, but Seoul's neighborhoods have always evolved in cycles. Apgujeong Rodeo dominated the city's shopping scene throughout the 1990s and early 2000s before fading for a while, only to regain its popularity in recent years. Sinsa-dong may eventually experience a similar revival. And while Seongsu is now one of Seoul's biggest draws for international visitors, not every traveler is searching for the busiest destination. Some may find themselves drawn instead to Sinsa-dong's slower rhythm, independent restaurants, and evenings that still feel unmistakably local.
Earlier in the day, I explored Garosu-gil's shopping streets in my Garosu-gil Shopping Guide. A different side of Seoul after dark unfolds in my Shinheung Market Yajang Pocha Guide, while my Seoul Celebrity Favorite Restaurants Guide highlights restaurants favored by Korean actors, musicians, and entertainers.