Euljiro (a.k.a. “hip-jiro”) is full of retro-cool spots hidden in old buildings, and Euljidarak (을지다락) is one of my favorites for a sit-down meal. It’s an euljiro pasta restaurant on the fourth floor of an unassuming building — the name means “Euljiro attic,” and climbing up to it really does feel like heading into a cozy loft. Inside you’ll find pretty, well-plated pasta, risotto and omurice in a warm, ivory-toned room that’s great for a relaxed meal with friends. It’s a real favorite among young Koreans (the MZ generation), and it’s grown popular enough to open branches in Gangnam and Yeouido — but this original Euljiro location is still the one with the most character.
Getting there (and finding the door)
This is the tricky part, so read this before you go. Euljidarak is on the 4th floor of the building where Asoto Bakery sits at street level. The small standing sign on the ground floor is easy to miss, so use Naver Map or Google Maps to pin the exact spot.
- From Euljiro 3-ga Station (Line 3) Exit 9: about a 4-minute walk (256m). On Line 2, Exit 11 is closest; from Chungmuro Station, Exit 6.
- Address: 19 Supyo-ro 10-gil, 4th floor, Jung-gu, Seoul. (Google Maps)
Once you’re in, the staircase up is quite steep — part of the “attic” charm. At the top you’ll reach a grey metal door with a “WELCOME OPEN” sign; just open it and head in.
Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:20), Sat–Sun 11:00–20:30 (last order 19:50). Cards accepted. You can book via the CatchTable app; on a holiday lunch we had about a 10-minute wait.
The space
Upstairs opens into a surprisingly large room with lots of tables. Warm daylight-toned lighting and ivory tones make it feel snug and welcoming — the kind of place you settle into and lose track of time.
What to order
The menu leans Korean-Italian with some Japanese touches, and the plating is genuinely pretty — a treat before you even take a bite. A few highlights (prices around, and the lineup shifts over time, so check on the day):
Crab spicy cream risotto (게살매콤크림리조또, around 18,000 KRW / $13.50) — chili-oil heat with crab and cream. A friend favorite; spice level can be adjusted.
Beef & perilla oil pasta (차돌박이들깨파스타, around 18,000 KRW / $13.50) — nutty perilla seed and fresh perilla leaf with thin-sliced beef. My personal pick: well-seasoned and not at all heavy for an oil pasta.
Darak omurice (다락 오므라이스, around 16,000 KRW / $12) — the signature. A Japanese-style omelette over spicy fried rice with a house sauce; soft and comforting.
Corn gnocchi (옥수수 뇨끼, around 18,000 KRW / $13.50) — chewy gnocchi in a sweet, savory house corn purée and cream. A lovely combination.
Darak rosé pasta (다락 로제 파스타, around 18,000 KRW / $13.50) — almost too pretty to eat. The cream and ragù come separated, so you mix them yourself; it turns silky and rich once combined.
On the side, the katsu sando (가츠산도, around 12,000 KRW / $9) — a Japanese sandwich with a thick, juicy pork cutlet — is worth adding; eat it with the mayo-based sauce it comes with.
There’s also a short drinks list — ades, house highballs and wine — if you want something alongside the food.
Good to know
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00 (L.O. 20:20), Sat–Sun 11:00–20:30 (L.O. 19:50)
- Payment: cards accepted
- Booking: via CatchTable app; short waits possible at peak times
- Finding it: 4th floor above Asoto Bakery — the ground-floor sign is easy to miss, so pin it on a map
- Menus at spots like this change over time, so treat dishes above as a guide and check the current menu on arrival
Verdict
Euljidarak is a lovely, low-key spot for a proper meal in the middle of Euljiro’s retro maze — pretty plates, a warm attic room, and Korean-Italian cooking that punches above its price. Come for the beef-perilla pasta or the signature omurice, book ahead on CatchTable if you can, and give yourself a minute to find the fourth-floor door. It’s a rewarding stop while you’re exploring the old streets around Euljiro 3-ga. Pair it with our local’s guide to eating and café-hopping in Euljiro.
