Rather than a long multi-course meal, three spots to pick the dish you crave with time to spare
On days when we are seeing a show, I want the meal to feel like part of the date too. Hurrying through a quick bite leaves me wanting, while constantly checking the clock waiting for the next dish makes me uneasy. On days like this, I prefer clearly choosing the dishes we crave and leaving plenty of time for the meal.
I chose tables offering tender omurice and pasta, crispy pork cutlet, or hamburg steak paired with soup. Being good to eat before a show does not mean food always comes out instantly. I want to pick while keeping in mind both the fond memories of enjoying the dishes and the actual wait.
Euljidarak Gangnam Station
A cozy meal sharing tender omurice and spicy cream pasta
The tenderness of the omurice paired well with the pasta
The omurice was tender and the pasta paired wonderfully with its sauce. Rather than ordering just one style of dish, putting rice and noodles together made it easy for the two of us to share what we wanted. For a pre-show date, instead of navigating an unfamiliar multi-course menu, a meal where we clearly pick our favorite Western-style dishes puts my mind at ease.
The spicy cream pasta had a thick, rich sauce with an added kick, so it never felt overly heavy. The meal, which also let us enjoy the softness of the sando sandwich, was very satisfying. Still, rather than choosing it as a mild dish just because it says cream, I would check first whether both people enjoy spicy food.
I want to enjoy the meal itself in a cozy atmosphere
The atmosphere was neat and cozy, so we enjoyed a comfortable meal. The plating was attractive and the pasta was delicious, so I did not want to turn it into a bite rushed past just for the next schedule. Even on a show day, I want to focus on the food and my companion for the duration of the meal.
Choose a Western meal, but leave plenty of time before admission
There was fun in choosing even among familiar favorites, like crab risotto and wide-noodle carbonara. For me, deciding what the two of us want to eat beforehand makes choosing a meal much simpler. Still, I will not mistake a past good dining experience for a guarantee that the meal will finish on a fixed schedule, and I will be sure to leave separate time to travel to the theater.
Location 2F, 22 Gangnam-daero 96-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Donkachun Bangbang Sageori Branch
A neat meal picking one plate of pork cutlet each and enjoying the crispy crunch
The tenderness of tenderloin and the crispiness of the crust
The pork tenderloin cutlet had tender meat that went wonderfully with the crispy breading. It was a plate that satisfied on days when I normally prefer sirloin but suddenly crave tenderloin. When there are upcoming plans after a meal, it is completely satisfying to have a single delicious plate suited to your own taste, without necessarily spreading out multiple dishes.
Choosing chilled noodles changes the feel of the meal
The pork cutlet was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the buckwheat noodles were cool and clean, making them great to enjoy together. Adding sirloin cutlet to cold soba was also a combination I really liked. On days when one person craves noodles and the other wants meat, it is nice not to have to order the exact same dish.
Keep in mind both the times it came out fast and the times we waited
There was a time when the food came out quickly and we ate comfortably in a clean dining room. Yet there was also definitely an experience of waiting a long time during the busy lunch rush. If it is before a show, rather than walking in pressed for time hoping for fast service, I would choose this spot with time to spare on days when I crave pork cutlet.
Based on the collected location, Donkachun is a restaurant near Bangbang Sageori from Gangnam Station. Rather than assuming it is close to the theater just from hearing it is near the station, I would check first whether it fits my travel route. It is a choice worth keeping in mind when you crave a crispy pork cutlet meal.
Location 1F, 111 Dogok-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Dr. Robbin Seocho Branch
A date to comfortably share sweet pumpkin soup, hamburg steak, and pasta
The joy of starting the meal with a velvety soup
The sweet pumpkin soup was smooth and delicious. The pizza was not salty, making it great to enjoy alongside. Even before a show, rather than always eating strictly light, I prefer starting the meal with dishes we both enjoy. It is a natural combination to think of if you are visiting with someone who loves soup.
Sharing hamburg steak and pasta matched both of our tastes
The hamburg steak topped with whole garlic cloves was tender, and the savory sauce was delightful. The aglio e olio and creamy pasta had noodles with just the right chew, and adding a salad balanced the flavors comfortably. On days when the two of us want both noodles and meat, this spread worked wonderfully.
I want to chat quietly during the meal
The atmosphere where we could chat quietly among ourselves was lovely. The feeling of being guided kindly to our seats and dining in a clean space also lingered. When choosing a place before a show, rather than looking only at the ambiance in a single photo, I also think back on memories of comfortably sitting and savoring the meal.
While I have had an experience where dishes arrived quickly during a family meal, I would not count on that same speed on every visit. It gives more peace of mind to pick what you want to eat, allow plenty of time for dining, and factor in travel to the venue separately.
Location Unit 103, B1, 11 Seocho-daero 74-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
If you want to share rice and noodles in a cozy space, Euljidarak comes to mind, and if you want to match individual tastes with a plate of cutlet each, Donkachun stands out. If you want to talk over soup, hamburg steak, and pasta together, I would pick Dr. Robbin.
When choosing a pre-show meal, rather than hunting for the fastest place to eat, I want to leave enough time to comfortably enjoy the food I love. A date where neither the dining nor the performance feels rushed is ideal.