Korean cuisine (hansik) is built around balance — fermented sides (banchan), a steaming bowl of rice, and a main dish that changes with the season. Meals are served all at once rather than in courses, and sharing dishes at the table is the norm. The depth of flavor comes from slow-fermented pastes like doenjang (soybean) and gochujang (chili), which form the backbone of soups, stews, and marinades across the country.
Gangnam-gu is Seoul's upscale business and entertainment district south of the Han River. Home to K-pop entertainment companies, COEX Mall, and the Apgujeong-Rodeo shopping strip, it attracts young professionals, tourists, and K-drama fans. Restaurants here tend toward the polished and premium, with a density of international cuisine, high-end Korean dining, and trendy cafés.
The marinated eel and tofu soup are very good!
It was late, so I went to a nearby eel restaurant. It was my first time trying grilled eel, which is different from what you get in Japan. It was delicious! It was fatty and crispy on the outside! The perilla leaves in the pancha were self-serve and all-you-can-eat. It tasted like meat. The restaurant had a nice atmosphere, probably because it was late, but there weren't many people there. I was able to eat without worrying about the time.