Euljiro Boseok

The 38 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea | Eater

"The newtro (a portmanteau of “new” and “retro”) trend is responsible for the hipster takeover of the old neighborhood of Euljiro, where the narrow alleys have filled with a unique mixture of old and new restaurants and shops. Euljiro Boseok, a bar and forerunner of the trend, serves a seasonal tasting menu composed of creative recipes using fresh, familiar ingredients. The most iconic dish is the spicy octopus capellini seasoned with perilla oil, though the prawn minari jeon (pancake) is also a must-try. Boseok skips the usual Korean liquors like soju or makgeolli for a selection of Japanese sake and natural wine. Vibe check: The bar counter only seats 20, and reservations are especially scarce these days after chef Jo Seo-hyeong’s appearance in the Netflix show Culinary Class Wars." - Matty Kim