Where old Seoul and new Seoul stopped arguing and just shared a table.
Why SAMGAKJI, why now
A 2026 Gen Z Seoul hotspot-perception survey names 삼각지 alongside Seongsu, Hongdae, Hannam, and Apgujeong Rodeo as one of the neighborhoods currently defining Seoul trend culture, driven by its dense alley bar and restaurant scene near Yongsan.
1. sam sam sam
- 25 Hangang-daero 50-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul
- 4.7 · 2314 reviews · 레스토랑
sam sam sam opens the course because the route works best when you've eaten well first. A restaurant stop in the middle of the day, when the alleys are still quiet and you're not watching the clock yet. The crew plans this one early so the rest of the walk feels loose, unhurried.
Crew's note
삼각지. Locals only, basically. You wouldn't find this scrolling Instagram.
What visitors say
Managed to snag a table without prior booking. We tried to book a few weeks in advance but there were no available dining slots, we thought…
Super delicious. Omg it’s great. I’d highly suggest the ricotta salad it’s really good the gnocchi is great as well.
2. Dotori Yongsan
- 25-6 Hangang-daero 52-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul
- 4.3 · 445 reviews · 베이커리
Dotori Yongsan closes the course because a bakery works better after a long meal than before one. The timing here is intentional: you've already sat through lunch, so a lighter stop with pastries and yogurt bowls gives the route a natural end. The crew likes finishing a walk somewhere you can linger without needing to order much.
Crew's note
The bears have been here longer than me. You'll like this place.
What visitors say
A very cute place with delicious granola bowls! They also serve baked goods and drinks. Very cozy vibe - it looks like a little cottage. You…
Beautiful interior and a really nice atmosphere. Tried the honeycomb black sesame latte — couldn’t really taste the honeycomb, but it was st…
The walk between
The strip between them is the same dense alley scene the survey pointed to: narrow lanes, small storefronts, the kind of block where old Seoul businesses and new ones sit next to each other without much fuss. You're still in the same pocket of Yongsan.
- Start the course around noon or early afternoon so the restaurant stop lands during regular lunch service and the bakery is still fully stocked.
- If you're planning to come back for the bar scene later, the crew suggests walking the same alleys at night to see how the neighborhood changes after dark.
FAQ
- Do I need a reservation for the restaurant, or can I walk in?
- One visitor managed to get a table by walking in after failing to book weeks in advance, so walk-ins are possible but not guaranteed. If you're coming during peak lunch or dinner hours, expect to wait or try your luck early.
- Is this course better on a weekday or weekend?
- Weekdays likely mean quieter alleys and shorter waits at both stops, especially for the restaurant. Weekends will feel busier, but that's also when the neighborhood's social energy is highest.
Ask Ethan
Seoul
