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Seoul's Hidden Thai Gem: SEOBO, Run by a Current Embassy Chef

 Aloha~ 🌺 

How is everyone’s week going? After making friendship rings in Songridan-gil the other day, I had some time before my next schedule and was looking for a quick and delicious meal. That’s when my radar caught SEOBO, a famous Thai restaurant Run by a current embassy chef in the area.



1. The Hip "Signless" Main Store vs. The Giant Face "Annex"

When I first followed the map to find it, I was so surprised. The restaurant is called 'SEOBO', but the exterior still has the old electrical shop signboard saying "Seobo Electric"! The chef boldly gave up a fancy exterior to focus purely on the "taste of the food." Such a hip flex!


But wait... right across the street, I couldn't believe my eyes. There was the "Seobo Annex" with an overwhelming visual! 🤣 It literally looks like a vintage Hong Kong movie set with the chef's face plastered on a giant signboard! It turns out this eye-catching annex is only open on weekends. If you visit Songridan-gil on a weekend, you definitely have to look for this face sign. Hahaha.

2. Insane K-Speed! Faster Than Fast Food ⚡

When you enter, you order and pay right away at the kiosk near the door.We were in a bit of a hurry for our next schedule, but wow... the serving speed here is no joke! Almost as soon as we sat down, the food was served—literally faster than a burger joint! The staff are super friendly, and the table turnover rate is incredibly fast, making it the perfect spot for a quick lunch or solo dining in Seoul.

3. Only 2 Menu Items! The Quality of an Embassy Chef

There's no need for a complicated menu here. The current embassy chef's secret weapons are just these two dishes!

  • Thai Pork Trotter Rice (Khao Kha Mu) - 13,000 KRW 🍖 If you were worried about strong spices or overly salty Thai food, don't be! Cooked with various medicinal herbs, the pork is so tender it literally melts in your mouth. Best of all, it’s not salty at all, making it a comforting meal for anyone. I enjoyed it with the side vegetables, chili, and fish sauce provided. If you prefer very strong, stimulating flavors, it might taste a bit mild to you, but for me, the seasoning was absolutely perfect!

  • Thai Shrimp Rice Soup (Khao Tom) - 10,000 KRW 🦐 This is a Bangkok Chinatown-style shrimp rice soup. At first, I thought, "Rice soup?" but the moment I took a sip, I was amazed by the deep, refreshing broth! It’s packed with dried shrimp, causing an explosion of umami flavor. It looks very simple, but the broth is so addictive that my spoon couldn't stop. It was also fun and unique eating rice in this broth instead of noodles!

4. [Update] No More Instagram Guessing Games! Open Every Day 

Originally, Seobo only opened on the chef's days off from the embassy, so you always had to check their Instagram announcements. Many people were sad because they were closed so often.

But there’s huge news for 2025! Using the know-how from running a branch in the Hyundai Department Store (Pangyo), the main store is now open every single day with no days off! (The chef still cooks at the embassy and runs Seobo in his free time—his passion is truly unmatched! 👍) Now, you can enjoy the high-quality Thai food of an embassy chef anytime without worrying about a wasted trip!

If you're tired of the usual Western food in Songridan-gil, you must visit SEOBO. The visual shock, the kindness, and above all, the deep, perfectly balanced flavors are unforgettable.

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Mahalo! 🌺

📍 Store Information

  • Address (English): 1F, 10 Ogeum-ro 18-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Look for the "Seobo Electric" sign!)

  • Hours: Open Everyday! 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM

  • Break Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

  • Tip: The "Seobo Annex" with the giant face signboard across the street is only open on weekends!

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