‘Daban’
Seongsu Korean Fusion Restaurant
If you’re visiting Seongsu, you’ll quickly realize
how overwhelming it can be to choose where to eat.
Among countless trendy spots,
I’d recommend Daban Seongsu,
a Korean fusion restaurant and traditional liquor bar
that feels a bit more relaxed and local.
Daban has two locations
<Seongsu-dong and Anguk-dong>
and I personally visit the Seongsu more often.
One unique point:
This place is pet-friendly,
so you’ll often see locals bringing their dogs
and enjoying a casual meal here.
It’s located right next to Nanpo Seongsu,
While Nanpo is also worth trying,
it doesn’t take reservations.
Daban, on the other hand,
allows bookings through Catchtable,
which makes things much easier.
Seongsu Korean Fusion Restaurant
Daban Information
- Location:
18-10, Seoul Forest 4-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul - Hours:
11:00 – 21:30 - Break time:
15:30 – 17:00 (weekdays) - Reservation:
Available via Catchtable - Foreigner Menu:
OK (Tablet odering)
Atmosphere & Seating
The space is quite spacious.
There’s a bar-style seating area
near the open kitchen,
which is great if you’re dining alone.
You’ll also find group tables and
standard tables for 2–4 people.
The interior blends traditional
Korean elements in a modern way
“ceramics, hanji paper, and classic decorative pieces”
create a calm and refined atmosphere.
Menu – Seongsu Korean
Fusion Restaurant
Daban
Lunch Set Menu (반상)
Herbal Galbitang Set (24,000 KRW)
A rich beef short rib soup
simmered with traditional Korean herbs.
The broth is deep and comforting,
perfect for a light but nourishing meal.
Yeosu Cockle Bibimbap Set (22,000 KRW)
Rice mixed with seasoned cockles from Yeosu,
known for their fresh and slightly briny flavor.
A well-balanced dish with a mix of textures and a mild kick.
A single menu (단품)
크리스피 제육 Crispy Braised Pork Belly (33,000won)
갈비찜과 밤퓨레 Braised Short Rib with Chestnuts
궁중 라구 떡볶이 Royal Court Ragu Tteokbokki
보리새우 미나리 전 Barley Shrimp & Water Parsley Pancake
루꼴라 오징어 김치전 Rucola Squid Kimchi Pancake
매생이 굴 라비올리 Wild Sesame Oyster Ravioli
트러플 피순대 구이 Truffle Grilled Blood Sausage
묵은지 감태김밥 Aged Kimchi & Pollack Gimbap
성게 메밀 국수 Sea Urchin Buckwheat Noodles
Daban offers a wide variety of dishes,
but these are the most popular ones.
✔️Aged Kimchi & Pollack Gimbap (15,000won)
✔️Braised Short Rib with Chestnuts (38,000won)
✔️Truffle Grilled Blood Sausage (14,000won)
Liquor menu (주류)
Daban has a strong lineup of Korean traditional alcohol.
Makgeolli (탁주), Distilled spirits (증류주)
Highballs (하이볼), Beer (맥주)
김포예주 → Gimpo Yejoo (Korean Rice Wine)
우렁이쌀청주 → Ureong-i Rice Cheongju
한영석 청명주 → Han Youngseok Cheongmyeongju
서울의밤 → Seoul Night
도원결의25 → Dowon Resolution 25
문배술25 → Moonbae Spirits 25
It’s a great place to enjoy
Korean-style drinking with food.
What I oder- Seongsu Korean
Fusion Restaurant Daban
Aged Kimchi & Pollack Gimbap (15,000 KRW)
This is one of the most unique dishes here.
Instead of seaweed, the gimbap is wrapped
in Pollack (gamtae),
a type of seaweed with a rich ocean flavor.
The filling includes aged kimchi and
seasoned dried squid,
creating a perfect balance of
tangy and savory flavors.
You can find kimchi gimbap elsewhere,
but this gamtae version is something
you won’t easily find outside this restaurant.
Royal Ragu Tteokbokki (19,000 KRW)
A non-spicy version of tteokbokki
that’s easier for foreigners to enjoy.
Traditional royal tteokbokki is
usually soy-based, but here
they add a ragu sauce,
giving it a slightly pasta-like feel.
It’s an interesting fusion dish
that works surprisingly well.
Sea Urchin Buckwheat Noodles (21,000 KRW)
A light buckwheat noodle dish
topped with sea urchin and shrimp.
It’s similar to perilla oil makguksu
but with more layers of flavor.
(pairing tips: Seoul Night, Moonbae Spirits 25)
If you enjoy sea urchin,
you’ll probably like it.
If you’re sensitive to seafood flavors,
this might not be the best choice.
Portion & Ordering Tips
At first glance,
the prices feel reasonable
compared to other Seongsu restaurants.
However, portions are not very large.
- For 2 people → order 3 dishes
- If drinking → 2 main dishes are usually enough
Things to Do Nearby in Seongsu
1) K-pop Hotspots near SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment is located just a short distance from Daban.
and the area around it has quietly become
a popular hangout for K-pop fans.
There are several dessert cafés
and casual restaurants nearby
where fans often gather
and occasionally,
you might even spot artists or trainees from SM.
Even if you’re not specifically into K-pop,
the neighborhood has a unique atmosphere
shaped by the entertainment industry.
It’s a fun place to explore after your meal,
especially if you enjoy discovering places
with a bit of local pop culture energy.
2) Seongsoo Forest (Seoul Forest)
Seoul Forest is one of the best places
to take a break after exploring busy Seongsu.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed
by the crowds, this is where things slow down.
It’s a large, open park with walking trails,
quiet seating areas, and plenty of greenery.
Unlike some of the more crowded
tourist spots in Seoul,
Seoul Forest is also a place
where locals come to relax.
It’s perfect for a light walk,
especially after a meal.
3) Blue Elephant Flagship Store
Blue Elephant is a popular Korean
eyewear brand known for its fashonable designs
and reasonable prices.
The Seongsu store is located very close to Daban,
and it’s become something of a must-visit spot for tourists.
You’ll often see visitors buying multiple pairs at once
— the price-to-quality ratio makes it easy to do so.
If you’re looking for a simple but stylish souvenir from Seoul,
this is a surprisingly good option.
Is Seongsu korean
fusion restaurants Worth Visiting?
Seongsu-dong is full of trendy restaurants,
but many of them lean toward bold or heavy flavors.
Daban Seongsu feels different
the food is more balanced and clean,
while still being creative.
If you’re looking for a place to try
Korean fusion food with traditional drinks in Seongsu,
this is definitely worth a visit.
**If you enjoyed the traditional drinks here,
check out my guide to Jennie’s favorite chef’s
affordable restaurant at Apgujeong
https://koreaandbeyond.com/negi-sukiyaki-seoul-andaz/