[Alley Restaurant] ① Gangpul Manhwa Street, Different by Day and Night

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Editor's NoteThe power of alleys is truly remarkable. For some, they become places to reminisce memories, while for others, they offer something new. Especially when entering unfamiliar alleys, the restaurants you encounter evoke both warmth and curiosity. There are many eateries that stimulate the senses, such as hidden gems known only to locals. We have selected four places for our ‘Alley Eats’ series, focusing on taste and value. Now, shall we enjoy a unique course you can experience in the ‘alley’?

The first alley featured in the [Alley Eats] series is Gangpul Manhwa Street, just a 2-minute walk from Exit 4 of Gangdong Station on Line 5. Artist Kang Full has set many of his works in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, including Moments of Your Life, I Love You, Pure Comic, and Fool. Beyond genres, he has also reached many readers and audiences with works like 26 Years and Neighbor.

Following the star shapes on the ground, you can find various sculptures and murals. Recently, the area has become even more vibrant with famous lines from the web drama Moving, making it a richer experience to explore.

① BOON THE BURGER

Recommended by a Gangdong-gu resident. BOON THE BURGER (hereafter Boon the Burger) stands out in the narrow alley with its bright yellow-painted exterior. Inside, the space is somewhat compact, arranged with three 4-person tables and two 2-person tables.

All burgers at Boon the Burger use handmade patties made from 100% ground beef, seasoned only with a bit of salt and pepper to eliminate any gamey smell, preserving the natural flavor of the meat. Every burger includes the same toppings: lettuce, romaine, tomato, and onion. The standard patty is cooked medium-well; if you prefer it fully cooked, be sure to request it.

The burger menu offers a variety of options including the signature Cheese Velvet Burger, Classic Cheese, Double Double, Diablo, and Aloha Hawaiian. Side dishes include French fries, handmade onion rings, and hot wings. You can also add extra toppings to your burger. Upgrading to a set costs an additional 5,000 KRW and includes half a portion of fries and one drink. Drinks are 2,000 KRW each, and single orders of fries are 5,000 KRW, so for two or more people, ordering single items is more economical than sets. Besides soda, beer is available, so you can enjoy a ham-and-beer combo!

Cheese Velvet Burger / 12,500 KRW.

The Cheese Velvet Burger is limited to one per table and only 10 are available daily. This premium burger is made with vegetables, a beef patty, and a hash brown between the buns. The cheese sauce, flowing like a waterfall, is made from Italian Parmesan, Grana Padano, and mozzarella cheeses. The sauce is applied only on the outside of the burger, allowing diners to enjoy it according to their taste. The homemade chili sauce has a strong cumin flavor reminiscent of the seasoning used for lamb skewers. Thanks to the juicy beef patty, you can enjoy a moist handmade burger from start to finish without dryness. The harmony of rich cheese and spicy sauce is fantastic♡

Spicy Maple Bacon / 8,500 KRW.

The Spicy Maple Bacon Burger is sweet, salty, and spicy. The homemade sauce on the Cheese Velvet Burger is quite intense, so the sweet chili sauce flavor on this burger was less noticeable. Rinsing the palate and refocusing to savor it... it delivers the classic taste of a handmade burger! The thick patty and cheese might seem a bit rich, but the sweet chili sauce balances it well. Most importantly, it does not overpower the natural flavor of the patty.

Address: 102, 57 Cheonho-daero 168ga-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul

② Seungyong’s Place

If you visit Gangpul Manhwa Street, you must stop by Seungyong’s Place. This is a complex cultural space with a caf? on the first floor, a comic book store on the second floor, a workspace on the third floor, and a rooftop terrace. The third floor is reserved for artists and is off-limits to the public!

Especially on the second floor, you can freely read about 3,000 comic books, including works by Kang Full. Order a coffee on the first floor and leisurely read one or two comics upstairs; before you know it, the sun will have set. It’s also perfect for a unique date spot with your partner!

Address: 65-29 Cheonho-daero 168ga-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul

③ THE Jjamppong

As the evening gets colder, a warm bowl of soup becomes irresistible. We visited THE Jjamppong, a place that appeared on SBS’s variety show Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant.

The interior is small, with about five tables. Orders are placed via kiosk, and the menu includes ganjjajang (black bean sauce noodles), jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) with noodles or rice, and sweet and sour pork.

Jjamppong, Jjamppongbap / 7,500 KRW each.

The jjamppong arrived topped with cut flower crab and mussels. If you expect a deep seafood flavor from the generous toppings, you would be mistaken. The charm of THE Jjamppong lies in its light yet savory taste, enhanced by thin slices of pork. The soft, well-cooked noodles also play a big role.

Sweet and Sour Pork (Small) / 8,000 KRW.

No Chinese meal is complete without sweet and sour pork. While not crispy enough to hurt the roof of your mouth, the pork had no unpleasant odor. The sauce is both tangy and sweet. Unusually, raw onions, chives, and carrots are added on top. Aside from that, it’s quite standard. However, it’s a dish you’d regret not ordering.

Address: 52 Cheonho-daero 168ga-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul

Enjoying a delicious lunch, a relaxing cup of tea while reading comics, and a warming dinner all made Gangpul Manhwa Street beautifully transformed. It presents a different charm from daytime, making it even more attractive. At night, Gangpul Manhwa Street sparkles and offers a very warm feeling.

Photo by Yoon Eun-ae