From Tonkatsu to Ramen and Soba: 7 Japanese Restaurants in Seongsu-dong

Hoho Sikdang Seongsu serves tonkatsu, rice bowls and a variety of set meals. There are hirekatsu and rosukatsu sets, a katsunabe set and a sukiyaki set, plus sake-don (salmon bowl) and beef gyudon. Those who want something fried and those who want a rice bowl can both decide from the same menu. Even within tonkatsu, the options split by cut and cooking style, so check the menu names and what each includes rather than treating it as one dish.

A buta kakuni set, a fish katsu set, omurice and an avocado natto bowl are also on offer. The restaurant occupies floors 1–2 at 25 Seoulsup 4-gil; check the Seongsu address so you don't confuse it with other Hoho Sikdang branches. Published hours are 11:00–21:50, with a break from 14:40 to 17:00. For a late lunch, keep in mind that the break starts earlier than the usual 15:00 and plan your arrival accordingly.

At Jeongdon Seongsu you can choose your tonkatsu by cut: loin or tenderloin. There's also a loin & tenderloin tonkatsu with both cuts on one plate, and a combo that comes with shrimp. Chicken katsu and fish katsu are options if you'd like something other than pork. Decide whether everyone orders their favorite cut or picks a plate with several ingredients, and think about whether you'll add curry or other sides.

Katsu sando, cheese katsu and curry are also available. The shop is at Units B106–B108 on basement level 1 of Acro Seoul Forest, 83-21 Wangsimni-ro; it's easier to find if you look for its spot inside the building rather than expecting a standalone storefront on the street. Hours are 10:30–21:30, with a weekday break from 15:30 to 17:00. Compare whether your group will split different cuts or all order the same dish, and fit it into your plans around Seoul Forest.

At Menya Konoha Seongsu you can choose between ramen in broth and mazesoba, which you mix together. The ramen lineup includes Ssangmun-dong kotsu ramen, niboshi shio ramen, shoyu ramen and haejang (hangover) ramen, alongside mazesoba and special mazesoba. First decide whether you want broth, then compare the ramen options or the mazesoba versions. If two people order different noodles, the meal turns out quite different from when both pick the same type of ramen.

There's also bibim gyoza (mixed dumplings) to go with your bowl of noodles. The shop is on the 1st floor at 10-1 Wangsimni-ro 4-gil. The break runs 15:00–17:30 on weekdays and 16:00–17:30 on weekends, so for an afternoon visit, check the difference by day. If you're planning a late lunch during a weekend walk, note that the lunch service runs longer than on weekdays, but still leave yourself plenty of time before ordering closes for the dish you want.

At Sushi Doku The Seongsu you can choose sushi sets such as the jeongpum (standard) and teukpum (premium) sushi, along with the grande futomaki. The futomaki comes in 4-piece portions, so you can add something to share alongside individual sushi. Salmon sashimi, tamagoyaki and assorted tempura are other options. Decide whether sushi will be the main event or you'll pair futomaki with sides, then balance the total amount of food.

Beyond sushi, there's a half-eel, half-egg hitsumabushi. Pan memil (chilled buckwheat noodles) is a seasonal item, available only during its sales period. The restaurant is on the 1st floor of Forest Seongsu, 13 Seoulsup 6-gil, and hours are listed as 11:30–22:00. On weekdays there's a break from 15:00 to 17:00, so if you're visiting between lunch and dinner, keep the times straight. When searching for directions, choose the branch name The Seongsu to distinguish it from the Wangsimni location.

The curries at Suage Seongsu are divided by main ingredient and cooking method. There's kakuni curry and chicken leg curry, and for the chicken leg you can choose fried or boiled. Pick pork or chicken first, then choose the details. Even when everyone is eating curry, each person can order a different ingredient, which makes it easy to match the type of meal while still reflecting individual tastes.

Hawaiian shrimp curry and vegetable curry are also available, so you can look through the menu with companions who want something other than meat. Since you can switch the main ingredient between chicken, pork, shrimp and vegetables, it's easiest to read the menu by ingredient. The shop is on the 2nd floor at 28-2 Wangsimni-ro 4-gil. It's open 11:00–21:00 with a break from 15:00 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays, so keep that in mind when planning an afternoon visit or an early-week meal.

At Tendon Sikdang you can choose the basic tendon, the special tendon, or ebi (shrimp), anago (eel) and ika (squid) tendon. Your choice depends on whether you want shrimp, eel or squid as the star. If the ingredient names are unfamiliar, check what each bowl includes on the menu before ordering. When several people each pick a rice bowl, you can all order the same one or choose different tempura toppings to suit each person's taste.

Chicken karaage-don and chicken curry rice are also on the menu, giving another option to anyone who wants chicken. The restaurant is on the 1st floor at 20-1 Yeonmujang 5ga-gil; when searching for directions, distinguish the main Yeonmujang-gil from the side-street name. Published hours are 11:00–21:00, with a break from 15:00 to 17:00. If you're linking plans around Seongsu Station, it helps to set your mealtime first and then look at the route to your next stop.

Soba Maenigo serves buckwheat noodles paired with a variety of toppings. The menu includes kamo seiro, nishin soba and kake soba, along with ebi ten, wakame, tororo and natto soba. Once you've decided on a bowl of soba, choose based on the toppings and the broth. If the names alone don't tell you the difference, look at the photos and descriptions on the ordering screen and decide which toppings you'd like.

The shop is on the ground (semi-basement) level at 39-15 Yeonmujang-gil. It's easier to find if you check the side-street address and floor off Yeonmujang-gil. Listed hours are 11:00–21:00 Tuesday to Friday and 11:00–20:30 on weekends and public holidays, closed on Mondays. Weekdays have a break from 15:00 to 17:00, but no separate break is listed for weekends and holidays. For a late lunch, also check that day's notices. Build your meal around a bowl of soba, then continue on with your walk.