A Retro Culinary Journey at Itaewon Sarangchae
While searching for a restaurant with a great atmosphere in Itaewon, I visited "Itaewon Sarangchae" based on a friend's recommendation.
From the outside, the restaurant definitely catches your eye. The witty phrases written on the wall and the vintage-style sign were impressive, and even the photos on the menu looked appetizing. It had such an appealing exterior that you'd want to step inside at least once.
Entering the restaurant, the interior was filled with retro vibes. Bamboo blinds hung from the ceiling, and old posters and photos adorned the walls, giving the feeling of stepping back in time. Even the small round tables and barrel-shaped chairs perfectly captured the atmosphere of a traditional Korean pub.
After contemplating the menu, the first thing we ordered was the assorted pancake platter (Modum Jeon). Because they fry it right after you order, the pancakes came out piping hot and crispy. With a variety of options like zucchini pancakes, meat patties (donggeurangttaeng), tofu pancakes, and perilla leaf pancakes, it was fun to choose and eat them. The savory aroma filled my mouth, and it was a perfect match with makgeolli (Korean rice wine).
Next up was the Chungmu Gimbap (seaweed rice rolls). I took a bite of the gimbap and ate it with the spicy squid salad, and it was so addictive with its spicy and sweet-and-sour flavor. The combination of the gimbap's mildness and the salad's seasoning created a fantastic harmony. It felt rare to find a place where you can properly enjoy Chungmu Gimbap like this.
What you can't miss here is their homemade makgeolli. They offer unique makgeolli flavors that are hard to find elsewhere, such as bokbunja (Korean black raspberry), kiwi, and even coffee, all made in-house. I tried the bokbunja makgeolli, and its subtle sweetness and fermented aroma went perfectly with the pancakes.
"Itaewon Sarangchae" was a place where you can enjoy a retro atmosphere, special makgeolli, and hearty pancake dishes all together.
It opens at 2 PM, so you can start drinking early, and it's said to be open until morning on weekends, so it's good to go according to your schedule.
If you want to properly enjoy pancakes and makgeolli in Itaewon, I highly recommend visiting.
Address: 1st floor, 6-10, Itaewon-ro 19-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
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