Tag: Haebangchon

  • Where to Eat in Itaewon, Haebangchon and Yongsan: 3 Local Picks

    Where to Eat in Itaewon, Haebangchon and Yongsan: 3 Local Picks

    In short

    Three places I have eaten at in Itaewon, Haebangchon and Yongsan: Decalcomanie (a cozy bistro famous for ₩9,900 honey cod, no kids), Nurimaeul Gamjatang (24-hour pork bone stew by Itaewon Station Exit 4) and Hyunsuni (tteokbokki and Korean snack food near Sinyongsan Station, great with kids).

    Itaewon, Haebangchon and Yongsan sit right next to each other on the south side of Namsan, and they cover very different moods: a quiet date night up the hill, a big pot of stew at any hour, and a cheap, cheerful lunch with the kids. Each place below links to my full guide.

    Quick picks

    • Date nightDecalcomanie, Sinheung Market, Haebangchon
    • Late nightNurimaeul Gamjatang, Itaewon Station Exit 4 (24 hours)
    • With kidsHyunsuni, Sinyongsan Station Exit 5

    1. Decalcomanie (데칼코마니): honey cod in Haebangchon

    Honey cod with garlic aioli and tomato sauce at Decalcomanie, Haebangchon

    A small bistro inside Sinheung Market, uphill from Itaewon. We went for our wedding anniversary. The honey cod with Uiseong garlic aioli (₩9,900) is the reason to come, and the set for two (₩59,800) also covers basil pesto pasta and a sous-vide pork neck steak. Expect a wait; it is a no-kids zone. The walk up from Noksapyeong Station is steep, so a short taxi is easiest.

    📍 97-4 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ground floor inside Sinheung Market
    서울 용산구 신흥로 97-4 신흥시장 1층
    Naver Map · Google Maps

    Read my full guide: Decalcomanie Haebangchon →

    2. Nurimaeul Gamjatang (누리마을감자탕): 24-hour pork bone stew

    Spicy gamjatang pork bone stew at Nurimaeul Gamjatang, Itaewon

    On the second floor of a building about 29 m from Itaewon Station Exit 4, open 24 hours. A small pot of spicy gamjatang (₩35,000) is a hearty meal, and single bowls of bone soup start at ₩12,000. A good stop for a late dinner or a filling lunch.

    📍 2F, 176 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
    서울 용산구 이태원로 176 2층
    Naver Map · Google Maps

    Read my full guide: Nurimaeul Gamjatang Itaewon →

    3. Hyunsuni (현선이네): tteokbokki near Yongsan I’Park Mall

    Tteokbokki combo set at Hyunsuni, Yongsan

    A busy tteokbokki and bunsik shop about 180 m from Sinyongsan Station, close to Yongsan I’Park Mall. Tteokbokki is ₩6,000 with your choice of spice level, and combo sets add sundae, mini gimbap and fritters. It was my 7-year-old’s first tteokbokki shop, and there are high chairs and a baby set. Open 11:00–24:00 daily.

    📍 2-13 Hangang-daero 39-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
    서울 용산구 한강대로39길 2-13
    Naver Map · Google Maps

    Read my full guide: Hyunsuni Yongsan →

    Itaewon, Haebangchon and Yongsan FAQ

    Where can I eat late at night in Itaewon?

    Nurimaeul Gamjatang, about 29 m from Itaewon Station Exit 4, is open 24 hours. A small pot of spicy pork bone stew is ₩35,000 and single bowls start at ₩12,000.

    What is a good anniversary or date restaurant near Itaewon?

    Decalcomanie in Haebangchon’s Sinheung Market is cozy and known for its ₩9,900 honey cod. The set for two is ₩59,800. It often has a wait and is a no-kids zone.

    Where can I take kids for lunch near Yongsan I’Park Mall?

    Hyunsuni, about 180 m from Sinyongsan Station, serves tteokbokki with a choice of spice level plus non-spicy sundae, gimbap and fritters. It has high chairs and a baby set.

    More ideas: where to eat in Hongdae, Sinchon and Mapo, kid-friendly restaurants in Seoul, or all Seoul restaurant guides.

    Hours and prices come from each restaurant’s Naver listing, checked when each full guide was written (October 2026). Please check Naver Map before you go.

    Based on my own visits and photos. I used AI tools to help with the English wording.

  • Decalcomanie Haebangchon: Famous Honey Cod & Pasta Near Itaewon

    Decalcomanie Haebangchon: Famous Honey Cod & Pasta Near Itaewon

    In short

    Decalcomanie is a small Western-style bistro inside Sinheung Market in Haebangchon, uphill from Itaewon in Seoul, best known for its ₩9,900 honey cod with Uiseong garlic aioli. A set for two (steak, basil pasta, honey cod and two ades) costs ₩59,800 (about $43). It is open 11:00–21:00, often has a wait, and is a no-kids zone.

    Haebangchon is the hillside neighborhood above Itaewon, full of small bars and cafés with views toward Namsan. Tucked inside its old Sinheung Market is Decalcomanie (데칼코마니), a small Western-style bistro known for one surprising dish: honey cod. I went for our wedding anniversary dinner, and it turned out to be exactly the kind of cozy, unfussy place I hoped for.

    Quick facts

    • Korean name데칼코마니 (Decalcomanie)
    • Address97-4 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ground floor inside Sinheung Market
      서울 용산구 신흥로 97-4 신흥시장 1층
    • Getting thereUp the hill in Haebangchon, above Itaewon. From Noksapyeong Station (Line 6) it is roughly 1.2 km, mostly uphill, so many people take a short taxi ride.
    • HoursDaily 11:00–21:00. Break 14:30–17:00 Mon–Thu, 15:00–17:00 Fri, no break on weekends
    • PricePasta ₩17,900–18,900, set for two ₩59,800 (about $43)
    • Good forDate night, anniversaries, a relaxed dinner for two to four
    • NoteNo-kids zone. No on-site parking (public lots nearby).
    • Phone+82 507-1436-0815
    • MapOpen in Naver Map

    Finding it

    Decalcomanie is not on the main road. Look for Sinheung Market and walk inside; the restaurant faces the market lane, with a few green outdoor tables in front. Haebangchon sits on a steep hill, so if you are coming from Noksapyeong or Itaewon, a taxi saves your legs, especially in the evening.

    📍 Decalcomanie (데칼코마니), Sinheung Market, 97-4 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul · Naver Map · Google Maps

    Decalcomanie storefront with outdoor tables inside Sinheung Market, Haebangchon

    Inside, the room is small and bright, with white walls, wooden tables and big glass doors onto the market. It feels calm rather than trendy, which is why it works well for a date. The restaurant has also appeared on the Korean TV show Handsome Guys (2025), so expect it to be busy.

    Cozy white dining room with large windows at Decalcomanie, Haebangchon

    What we ordered

    We ordered the set for two (₩59,800), which includes the three signature dishes: honey cod, spinach basil pesto pasta and the pork neck sous-vide steak. The set normally comes with two ades; we paid a little extra to swap them for sangria.

    Red and white sangria

    The red sangria is fruity, a little bittersweet and easy to drink. The white is lighter and more citrusy, with a fresh, slightly sharp finish. If you are celebrating something, start with one of each and share.

    Red sangria and white sangria at Decalcomanie

    1. Uiseong garlic honey cod (의성마늘 꿀대구)

    This is the reason most people come. A piece of cod is topped with aioli made from Uiseong garlic (a well-known Korean garlic region) and honey, then served on a bright tomato sauce. The fish was so soft it fell apart as soon as my fork touched it. The garlic is mellow, the honey adds gentle sweetness, and the tomato keeps it from feeling heavy.

    It is simple enough that you think you could make it at home, but the balance is what makes it special. At ₩9,900 it is also the cheapest thing on the menu, so order it even if you are not getting the set.

    Honey cod with Uiseong garlic aioli and tomato sauce, the signature dish at Decalcomanie in Haebangchon, Seoul
    Soft flakes of cod with honey garlic aioli and tomato sauce
    The cod flakes apart at the first touch of a fork.

    2. Spinach basil pesto pasta (시금치 바질페스토 파스타)

    A thick, creamy green sauce coats every strand of pasta. The basil gives it a fresh aroma, and the spinach keeps the cream from tasting too rich, so it never got boring. Plump shrimp and arugula on top add bite and a peppery edge. I really enjoyed this one.

    Spinach basil pesto cream pasta with shrimp and arugula

    3. Pork neck sous-vide steak (팜스플랜 목살 수비드 스테이크)

    Moksal is pork neck, a cut Koreans love for its mix of lean meat and fat. Cooked sous-vide, it was tender with a pleasant chew, and it sits on a smooth, nutty potato sauce. Eating the pork with the potato and the pickled greens together was my favorite bite.

    Sous-vide pork neck steak with potato puree and myeongi greens
    Pouring sauce over the sous-vide pork neck steak
    The steak comes with an extra sauce on the side.

    Menu and prices

    Prices below are from the restaurant’s current Naver menu (updated May 2026).

    DishPrice
    Uiseong garlic honey cod
    의성마늘 꿀대구
    ₩9,900
    ~$7
    Spinach basil pesto pasta
    시금치 바질페스토 파스타
    ₩17,900
    ~$13
    Hanwoo white ragù pasta
    한우 화이트 라구 파스타
    ₩18,900
    ~$14
    Pork neck sous-vide steak
    팜스플랜 목살 수비드 스테이크
    ₩26,900
    ~$19
    Pork jowl sous-vide steak (limited daily)
    항정살 수비드 스테이크
    ₩31,900
    ~$23
    Set for 2 (steak + basil pasta + cod + 2 ades)
    2인 세트
    ₩59,800
    ~$43
    Set for 3
    3인 세트
    ₩89,800
    ~$64
    Red or white sangria
    샹그리아
    ₩7,900
    ~$6
    Fruit ade
    에이드
    ₩4,900
    ~$3.50

    *USD figures are rough estimates at about ₩1,400 to $1. The menu also lists Spanish beers (₩9,500–13,500) and corkage at ₩30,000. Prices can change.

    Tips for visitors

    • Expect a wait. We waited about 30 minutes. Arrive early or come on a weekday.
    • Order the set. The set for two covers all three signature dishes and is the easiest way to order.
    • Watch the break time. On weekdays the kitchen closes in the afternoon (14:30 or 15:00 until 17:00). Weekends have no break.
    • No kids. It is a no-kids zone, so plan a different place if you travel with children.
    • Parking. There is no on-site parking; use the public lots at the Yongsan 2-ga community center or Haebangchon.

    A nice touch: when we paid on our way out on a cold night, staff handed us hand warmers and mouthwash. Small, but we still remember it.

    Hand warmer and mouthwash given to guests at checkout

    My verdict

    Decalcomanie does a few dishes and does them well. The honey cod lives up to the hype, the basil pasta is comforting, and the sous-vide pork neck is a nice introduction to a very Korean cut in a Western dish. With sangria and friendly, thoughtful service, it is one of the easiest anniversary or date-night picks I know in the Itaewon area. Just be ready to wait.

    Decalcomanie FAQ

    What is Decalcomanie famous for?

    Its honey cod: cod topped with Uiseong garlic aioli and honey on tomato sauce. It costs ₩9,900.

    How do I get to Decalcomanie?

    It is inside Sinheung Market in Haebangchon, uphill from Itaewon and Noksapyeong Station (Line 6). The walk is steep, so a short taxi ride is easiest.

    What are Decalcomanie’s opening hours?

    11:00–21:00 every day. On weekdays there is an afternoon break (14:30–17:00 Monday to Thursday, 15:00–17:00 on Friday). No break on weekends.

    Can I bring children to Decalcomanie?

    No. Decalcomanie is a no-kids zone.

    How much does dinner at Decalcomanie cost?

    The set for two is ₩59,800, about ₩30,000 per person. Add drinks if you want sangria or beer.

    Planning more meals in Seoul? Browse all Seoul restaurant guides, or try Pyongyang cold noodles in Hongdae for a completely different Korean experience.

    Visited: December 2024. Menu and hours last checked: October 15, 2026, on Naver. Please check Naver Map before you go.

    This post is based on my own visit and photos. I used AI tools to help with the English wording.