The Samsa was a standout—perfectly flaky on the outside and packed with juicy meat inside. But the real star of the show was the Shashlik. I tried every variety on the menu, and each one was grilled to perfection with an amazing smoky flavor. I’m already craving it again!
On top of the great food, the staff was very kind and welcoming, making the overall experience even better. It’s rare to find a place that offers such great value with such friendly service.
I stopped by around one-thirty on a Saturday, just hoping to grab some lunch. Every table was full. There were about ten tables for four and one small room for families with kids. All of them were already taken. The place had this lively, warm energy that pulled me in right away. It felt like a small corner of Russia in the middle of Seoul.
Most of the people there were Russian, eating with friends or family, laughing and sharing food. The staff were wearing green T-shirts that looked like uniforms. They seemed busy but stayed friendly, and they understood enough Korean to make ordering easy.
It was my first time trying Russian food. Before visiting, I had searched a few pictures and reviews online. That was enough to convince me to try the vegetable shashlik, the lamb shashlik, and a bowl of borscht.
They started cooking as soon as I ordered, so it took about twenty minutes. The restaurant has Wi-Fi, which helps the wait go by a little faster.
When my food came, the smell alone made me smile. The vegetable shashlik was my favorite. The grilled eggplant was juicy, soft, and full of flavor. The lamb was well cooked too, though it’s best to eat it while it’s warm because it gets a bit firm when it cools down. Each table has salt and pepper, so you can season your food however you like. I also tried a Russian canned beer, which was light and refreshing.
The borscht was interesting. I expected something similar to Hungarian goulash, but it was milder and smoother. The soup started out a deep red and turned pink when mixed with the white cream on top. I couldn’t finish the whole bowl, but it was still worth trying.
Before leaving, I was served a small dish of carrot salad. I learned it’s a common side dish in Russian cuisine, even though it reminded me of something you’d find on a Korean table. It’s already included, so no need to order it separately.
Overall, it was a new and memorable experience. I’m glad I tried it. If you ever find yourself in Dongdaemun, give this place a chance. You might walk out a little fuller and a little happier than when you came in.
Really tasty and delicious food, russian and uzbek kitchen. Ordered large variety from the menu and everything was great. I would definitely visit here again and will recommend this place to my friends.
