Jamsil is a region we frequently visit. If you hardly heard of Jamsil or Songnidan-gil, please have a quick look at my previous post: Hidden Wine Bars in Jamsil Seoul, to find out what the characteristics of the regions are. Today, I am going to share my experience in Songnidan-gil restaurants that I love. Nowadays, Songnidan-gil became a very hot place in Seoul. No longer a minor alley in Seoul, very popular where lots of visitors come in. You can stroll along the Seokchon-lake (석촌호수) or do shopping in Lotte World Mall. You definitely can enjoy Songnidan-gil with nice restaurants and cafes or memoir with photo booths!
The story of the name Songnidan-gil
- Song-nidan-gil: Hot and rising street in Songpa-gu
Basically, Jamsil is a central region of Songpa-gu, Seoul Korea. And Songnidan-gil is a street of Jamsil in Songpa-gu. Talking about an interesting street name consists of 3-word units: Song-Nidan-Gil. Firstly, Song refers to Songpa-gu, and ‘~~nidan‘ expresses the word for hot place nowadays. It doesn’t actually mean anything but is derived from Gyeong’nidan’-gil (경리단길) in Itaewon. The region named ‘Nidan’ is the newly born place from an old and undeveloped district that finally transformed to be ‘it’ place with small businesses. Starting with Gyeongnidan-gil, this type of nickname started created one after another. Then lastly, ‘Gil’ means ‘street’.
Recommended Songnidan-gil restaurants
- Motokurashi: Japanese
- Motor City Jamsil: Detroit Pizza
- Pizzeria Lago: Italian
- Lac rose: Western Fusion
Restaurant/Izakaya
Motokurashi
1. 모토쿠라시 | Restaurant with a hidden atmosphere with delicate food
- Salmon soy sauce (32,000\)
- Abalone innards cream pasta (21,000\)
- Bisque shrimp pasta (21,000\)
There are several points to talk about Motokurashi, the Songnidan-gil Japanese restaurant, so I’ll tell you immediately about the menu. Salmon soy sauce (연어장) is firstly recommendable. A bit expensive but well worth it. And abalone pasta marked it a popular menu followed by the salmon plate. Salmon paste with soy sauce comes out generously with rice, and abalone pasta is a cream-based abalone viscera sauce.
Entrance Tip: Find the small sign on the wall ‘inside’ the building.
It’s hard to find because there is no signboard that can be seen directly from the outside. You have to go round and round the building(map) and find a sign on the wall inside the building to enter. Then when going up to the second floor, you may be a little embarrassed to see the massage shop, but the staff will greet you when you open the door after taking off your shoes and changing into slippers in the shoe box next to it.
Time Tip: Arrive for a very early dinner or late for an izakaya
There is a very high probability that there will be a waiting time. Unfortunately, a reservation and parking are not possible. We arrived just before the opening time of 5:30 PM and were the last to enter. Some reviews say that if you go before 6 pm, there are about 4 teams waiting, and after waiting about 1 hour to get a seat. But after when we were out around 7:30 PM, there were several empty tables.
For more information on Motokurashi…
- Address: 11-2 202, Songpa-gu, Seoul (11-2 202, 송파구 서울특별시)
- Opening hours: Everyday 5:30 PM–12 AM (Monday close)
- SNS: Instagram
- Call: +82(0)10-3852-6327
Restaurant
Motor City Jamsil
2. 모터시티 잠실 | An unusual Detroit-style pizza in Korea that comes to mind sometimes
The second Songnidan-gil restaurant named Motor City offers a square Detroit pizza! It’s my first time trying so that a lot excited! Also, FYI, you can visit other branches in Itaewon, Gangnam, etc because the brand has a few branches in Seoul.
Spacious and fast turnover, short or no waiting
Just like other restaurants in this popular district, Motor City Jamsil also has a high possibility of waiting. However, I would say the wait is relatively short here because the turnover rate is fast. The restaurant is quite spacious compared to other Songnidan-gil restaurants. Inside with a steel design, the atmosphere and interior are quite nice.
Fall in love with thick square pizza!
It seems they focus on a Detroit-style pizzeria ahead of other main menus such as burgers or chicken wings. Like when I visited the restaurant, every table including mine ordered a pizza and a small side. One pizza can be shared by two adults with the side added. The pizza’s size isn’t that big, but it’s thick, so it’s a lot fuller than I thought. Also, the texture is so chewy that even the bread feels like cheese rather than dough. And I liked it because it helped me to feel very rich. For someone who feels it greasy from the richness of the cheese, I recommend sprinkling pepper/hot sauce.
For more information of Motor City Jamsil…
- Address: 42-6 Songpa-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 송파동 42-6)
- Opening hours: Sunday~Thursday 11 AM–10 PM, Friday~Saturday: 11 AM–10:30 PM
- Break time: 15 PM-16 PM
- SNS: Instagram
- Call: +82(0)2-424-2323
Restaurant
Pizzeria Lago
3. 피제리아 라고 | A pizzeria with a solid basic Neapolitan style
As we were passing by on a weekend evening, we happened to visit because it was full of customers, and the atmosphere was so attractive. The inside was romantic and warm with soft lighting, flowing music, and very delicious smells. Pizzeria Lago is located on the main road of Songnidan-gil along with many restaurants so is easy to find as it is a store on the first floor. I was wondering about the meaning of Lago and found it on their Instagram, which means ‘lake’ in Italian. In addition, they use only Italian Caputo flour with 100% firewood in the oven made by artisans in Naples.
Feels like a local Italian restaurant
What I review about the pizza is… it doesn’t taste like fancy high-end or unique pizza. I don’t know how the Italians would take it, it tastes like I was having dinner at an ordinary Italian restaurant. In other words, it is a restaurant that gives a feeling of being ordinary but delicious and basic. The dough is very thin and soft, and it is a bit far from chewy and seems to be well fermented.
Also, don’t rely too much on some review scores. Because I was embarrassed because some review score was not as high as I expected. The Google review score was 4.4 out of 5.0, which is high, but there was a 3.3 score on some Korean restaurant platforms. But trust me, It is a place I want to visit again as a memory of a delicious meal. And I will visit again and am willing to recommend this Songnidan-gil pizzeria to others.
For more information of Pizzeria Lago…
- Address: 9-9 Songpa 1(il)-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 송파1동 9-9)
- Opening hours: Everyday 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
- SNS: Instagram
- Call: +82(0)2-422-8588
Restaurant
Lac rose
4. 라코즈 | Czech Corleño in Seoul for a special occasion
The last Songnidan-gil restaurant Lac rose is a western fusion restaurant. At that time we needed a place not so crowded with less noise, and turned out it was the place that we were looking for! This place is at the beginning of Songridan-gil from Seokchon Lake. Therefore, it is relatively easy to make an appointment as you do not have to wander through the alleys. Easy access is probably one of the reasons for a blind date. Also, the inside is spacious so you can chat and eat in a comfortable atmosphere.
Corleño, risotto… all menus highly satisfied
- Prague Corleño (38,000\)
- Chicken legs basil cream risotto (18,000\)
- Bespoke seafood pasta (19,000\)
The taste of Corleño was beyond my expectation. I had Czech-style Corleño in Czech before, and it’s similar enough to remind me of it. Although it is difficult to expect the same amount, still satisfactory. The server said that it fills two servings. And we opted for risotto and seafood pasta with tomato sauce to reduce greasiness and add a bit of freshness. The risotto with basil pesto and the chicken leg as toppings is highly recommendable. All made a good combination.
Wine Tip: corkage fee is rather high and conditionally provided
I am not going for the corkage service next time. It charges 20,000 won and provides only two glasses. Moreover, there is an additional charge for more. Although taking regard it is a restaurant with a good atmosphere, the corkage cost feels expensive considering it is more like a casual place.
For more information on Lac Rose…
- Address: A 201ho, 58-15, Songpa-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 송파동 58-15 2층)
- Opening hours: Everyday 11 AM–9 PM
- SNS: Instagram
