OWL Magazine Korea

Seoul Gwanghwamun, Japanese Home-style Restaurant “Manbet”

The Gwanghwamun area in Seoul is a representative office-dense zone. It houses the government complex including the Seoul City Hall, as well as the headquarters of various newspapers. It’s also home to the offices of major corporations. During lunchtime, you can see numerous office workers coming out to grab a meal.

Especially in the Gwanghwamun area, you can find a variety of restaurants in the underground shopping malls of buildings like the “Doryeom Building” situated to the west of Gwanghwamun Square.

“Specializing in Japanese Home-style Cuisine: Manbet”

Manbet is another restaurant you can find in the “Doryeom Building.” It’s a small restaurant specializing in Japanese home-style cuisine. Known for its cost-effectiveness, it’s always bustling with people during lunchtime.

They serve simple Japanese dishes like donburi, steak, curry, and more. For about 10,000 KRW per person, you can have a meal that is reasonably priced and satisfying.

It’s a place where you won’t feel too overwhelmed dining alone. However, since restaurants in the Gwanghwamun area tend to be crowded during lunchtime, if you’re dining alone, it’s advisable to either come a little earlier or later to have a more leisurely meal.

“A Notably Compact Venue”

The venue is not particularly large, much like other shops in the underground shopping area. There are only about ten tables. As a result, it can accommodate a maximum of about 20 people dining simultaneously.

“Jeju Black Pork Seasoned Grilled Rice Bowl”

Personally, when I visit this place, I tend to order the “Jeju Black Pork Seasoned Grilled Rice Bowl.” It’s priced at around 11,000 KRW, and you get a generous portion of meat, making it a menu item that falls under good value for money.

As a result, while it may not appear to be a particularly large serving at first glance, after finishing the meal, you’ll feel like you’ve had a hearty and satisfying meal.

Located in the underground shopping mall of the Doryeom Building in the Gwanghwamun area, it’s a straightforward restaurant where you can have a reasonably priced meal.

“Seoul Gwanghwamun: Japanese Home-style Restaurant Manbet”

  • Address: 1F B1, 37 Saemunan-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03173, Manbet
  • Phone: 02-722-5273
  • Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 AM – 9:20 PM (Break Time: 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM)