Solo Dates and Good Eats

Before moving abroad to South Korea, I had so many questions about what life would look like and whether I would really be able to immerse myself in the culture the way I intended. In this new place that I would be living in for 4 months, I didn't want to be a stranger or just a tourist, I wanted to be familiar and well-adjusted with my surroundings. That meant everything from learning to take the bus to learning the names of the areas around Yonsei University and beyond, and even understanding the difference between a 동(Dong) a village or neighborhood, and a 구(Gu) a district made up of smaller neighborhoods(a story for another time). And Solo Dating helped me do that. 

Spending intentional time alone made me more thoughtful about how I chose to spend my time and experience my days here. I found myself looking forward to the activities I planned, and week by week, I built memories that made the city feel more like home, especially through food. Every corner you turn in Seoul, there's a new restaurant or café to try. And it can be easy to get attached to your favorite spots(or comfort places, which I totally get). But the benefits of exploring somewhere unfamiliar, guided by the search for a new restaurant, and noticing the small details: the smells, the people, the buildings, and the sounds — are simply unmatched.

So, here are 3 spots that can make a great contribution to your own solo dates and adventures, and are perfect for eating alone and enjoying some good food. I encourage you to take yourself on a walk around the area afterwards and to sit with the joy of your own company.

Yamano Ramen

This restaurant is one of my absolute favorite Ramen places in Sinchon. Each bowl of ramen comes with ramen noodles, soft-boiled egg, pork belly slices, spring onions, and bean sprouts all in a tonkotsu broth. I found the regular-size bowl for ₩5,000 to be pretty filling but there is also an option of a larger portion for ₩8,000. The lady who runs it is the sweetest and the limited seating of the restaurant(6 seats) adds quite a cozy vibe. Payment is cash only but the meal is such a great value for the quality and portion size that it’s absolutely worth it.

https://naver.me/FQV4rv43

Mibundang Hongdae

This Phở place is a recent favorite of mine. The space is small and it's a good place to eat quietly. Once seated, there are different sauces in front of you and the napkins are located right above your head, which I hilariously didn't find out about till much later. I ordered the 'Rice Noodle Pho with Beef Brisket'(차돌박이 쌀국수) but there are 5 other main dish options as well to choose from. I felt the meat portion was way more than others I've had before in Korea and you can even ask to add noodles or broth without an extra charge, so feel free to and enjoy.

https://naver.me/Gn0FxLsQ

Gongdeok Gimbap

This place is tucked away in Mapo-Gu and is just a couple minutes walk from Subway Line 5: 공덕역 (Gongdeok Station). I have found that kimbap is such a staple and favorite Korean food of mine. I love the ease of eating it and all the different varieties and flavors that can come with it. The first time I went there, I tried the Tuna Mayo Kimbap which was really yummy as well as their signature, self-named ‘Gongdeok Gimbap’. Beyond kimbap, they also serve seafood ramen, udon, and cold buckwheat noodles which are the highest priced on the menu at ₩9,000. A must try! 

I felt that the area around the restaurant had a bit of a different atmosphere from that of Sinchon and campus. I can even remember being surprised by what I assumed was a shoe debris cleaner but turned out to be a Fine Dust Inhalation Mat right inside the subway station. So now, I can look back at a fun time when I was able to both indulge in good food and learn something new.

https://naver.me/F3TZziUp

Conclusion

Remember, most places(sometimes even grill or kbbq places) can be enjoyed alone as long as you are willing to get out there and try something new. Some of my favorite spots were found simply by purposefully getting a little lost, and I am forever glad that I did. So, I hope my recommendations can provide you with a good starting point!